For more than 30 years, if a field hockey game on Vancouver Island needed an umpire, there was a good chance Jagir Dhanowa would say yes. Jagir passed away on November 4, 2026, at the age of 78. He spent part of his last day doing what he loved: umpiring field hockey.

Jagir helped build our field hockey community one game and one person at a time. He bought jackets for umpires, shared samosas between games and purchased radio headsets so newer umpires could talk to their partners on the pitch. After a recent match, a young umpire told us that having one of Jagir’s radios meant they didn’t feel alone out there. That was Jagir. He saw what people needed and quietly made sure they had it.

At his family’s request, the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association (VILFHA), the Vancouver Island Men’s Field Hockey Association (VIFHA) and the Vancouver Island Field Hockey Umpires Association (VIFHUA) invite you to give in his memory. Our goal is to establish a fund or award in Jagir’s name to help grow field hockey on Vancouver Island and support the next generation of umpires. A committee will select the association that will administer the funds and set written guidelines for their use. We’ll share those details here once they’re confirmed.

Thank you for helping us honour Jagir and carry on the work he cared about.

Organized on behalf of the family by Ali Baggott, Alison Sweeten, Gillian Waters, Denise Hall, Denise McGeachy and Chris Wilson.

Details about Jagir Dhanowa's Memorial Service:

November 12, 2026 at 10:00 am (Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens (4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria B.C.) There will be a livestream available for this service.