Name: Richard Hildreth
Sport: Field hockey
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Nickname: Richie
Favorite Sports Memory: Winning the gold medal at the PanAm Cup and qualifying for the World Cup in 2010
How you got involved in your sport: I began playing soccer when I was very young. My teammates convinced me to play field hockey in the summers when the soccer and ice hockey were in their off seasons. I loved the sport as soon as I began playing.
The moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada: After my first practice with the Canadian team when I was 19. The competitiveness of the practice and skill of the veteran players helped to convince me that I wanted to represent Canada.
Favorite Quote: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” ~Michael Jordan
CAN Fund Testimonial: Receiving the financial assistance from CAN Fund has allowed me to focus on my preparation for the Olympic qualifier rather than worrying about how to come up with money for rent, groceries, and equipment. This funding will be incredibly valuable in allowing me to focus on my dream of representing Canada on the highest stage and compete for a medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Can Fund provides a remarkable opportunity for Canadian athletes like myself to achieve greatness in their sport.
Best Result: Gold medal at PanAm games.
Fun Facts: Growing up my favourite sports to play were ice hockey and soccer. I managed to play at a high level in both sports and was forced to decide which one to take more seriously. After a field hockey tour to Australia when I was 16 I decided that I wanted to pursue field hockey as my primary sport. The tour exposed me to international hockey for the first time and I was convinced that it was the sport that I wanted to play competitively (although I still play ice hockey and soccer whenever I can).
