Madrid Boss

As one of 10 children, Janet Ellis has had plenty of experience when it comes to team games.

A prominent hockey administrator in Canada for more than 20 years, the Vancouver-based lawyer will be the tournament director of the women’s Samsung Hockey World Cup in Madrid.

Ellis was born and raised in Stanhope, Prince Edward Island - Canada's smallest province with a current population of 133,000. She was the seventh of 10 children who were encouraged to participate in all sports - gender was never a barrier.

In 1986, she moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, and now works with the Federal Government as a lawyer representing military veterans, serviceman and RCMP members with respect to disability pensions.

First introduced to hockey in high school, Ellis continued to play with the Tigers club in Vancouver - one of her favourite social obligations. She played for the Provincial team for nine years and was introduced to the 'administrative' side of hockey around 1980.

Moving from the provincial to national level in 1987, she was on the Executive of Field Hockey Canada until 2002 (the President from 1996-2002). Exposed to the technical side in 1984, Ellis has since been appointed to national; continental and world level events as a Technical Director.

She says World Cup and Olympic appointments have been awesome but the earlier national and continental appointments have been more important to her development as a TD. Previous experience as a team manager and umpire has also helped give a better understanding of the complexities of the role.

Other than hockey, her passions are sharing quality time with her family and friends (and her dog 'Duncan') as well as gardening and travelling - when she has time.

From my parents I learnt…
More than I could possibly ever use; but, for sure, that 12 people is about the maximum number to share one bathroom over an extended period!

My greatest fear…
None - remember 'there is no greater fear than fear itself'

From my father...
The value of being prepared to discuss both sides of any issue knowledgeably

I handle disappointment…
With a little wine and a little whine

The best women's hockey match I ever saw....
The women's final (Australia against Argentina) at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney

If I could change one rule…
The penalty stroke competition could be changed to a penalty shot competition to make the game more attractive for spectators and to have a better method of determining an outright winner in classification matches.

My most recent purchase...
Cedar deck furniture

I regret...
Not continuing piano lessons as a child

What I most admire in a player/umpire...
The drive and intensity to always be better and the ability to take calculated risks

My favourite song...
Shout

When I relax...
I usually fall asleep

My most embarrassing moment...
Too many to consider and there will always be another around the corner that is more embarrassing - I have great potential in this field!

The best tournament I ever went to...
The 2000 Olympics in Sydney and most other joint tournaments - like the 1995 Pan Am Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina

I no longer worry...
About what others think

I'd like to be remembered...
As a good friend; a giver and not a taker

My ideal dinner guests would be...
Winston Churchill; Shirley McLaine; Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain); Bette Midler and Nelson Mandela

And what would you eat and drink?
Lobster and steak; strawberries; Barbados rum; Canadian wines - red, white and ice