Kathy Broderick was the assistant coach of the field hockey and indoor hockey programs at York from 1978 to 1999 and was known as one of the top goalkeeper coaches in the country. During that time, she helped guide the team to six CIAU silver medals, two CIAU bronze medals and seven OWIAA titles each in field hockey and indoor hockey. She was also an assistant coach with the Canadian national team at three Pan American Games (1987, 1991, 1995), winning one silver medal and two bronze medals, and at three Olympic Summer Games (1984, 1988, 1992). Broderick stayed at York after leaving the field hockey team, serving as a contract faculty member for the School of Kinesiology & Health Science.
Kathy Broderick has dedicated her life to students at York University.
She got her start at York as an assistant coach with the field hockey team in the late ‘70s and remains involved with the School of Kinesiology & Health Science to this day.
Broderick first took up the sport while attending the University of Manitoba in her hometown of Winnipeg. She began playing in her final year of school and worked her way onto the Canadian national team before beginning her coaching career. After stops at Mount Allison University, Queen’s University and the University of Alberta, she came to York after taking an apprenticeship program with the coaching association that placed her with then-York head coach Marina van der Merwe.
She stayed at York after the program was over and together, she and van der Merwe became the top field hockey coaching duo in the country. They led the Yeowomen to 14 OWIAA championships, seven in field hockey and seven in indoor hockey, between 1978 and 1999, as well as six CIAU silver medals and two CIAU bronze medals.
The two were also the national team coaches, with van der Merwe leading the way and Broderick coaching the goalkeepers, and they carried the Canadian program to heights it hadn’t experienced before or since. Under their guidance, the national team won one silver and two bronze medals at the Pan American Games (1987, 1991, 1995) and also competed at three Olympic Summer Games (1984, 1988, 1992).
Known as one of the greatest goalkeeper coaches in the country, Broderick credits a strong work ethic for her accomplishments.
“I learned early on that you don’t become successful without working hard. What we accomplished made me recognize that to be a successful team we couldn’t take anything lightly. We were successful but we lost a lot of games along the way as well. We had to dress for every game and always put in 100%.”
When her coaching career came to an end she channelled that same work ethic to a new career. Broderick is most well-known for her work with the field hockey team, but recent graduates and current students will recognize her as a contract faculty member with the School.
“When I finished coaching I needed something else to do and I’d always wanted to look after old people, so I went back to school and studied gerontology at Humber College. I was really passionate about it and it also allowed me to return to York and teach in the School.”
Following her graduation from the program she returned to teach the swimming practicum and the Physical Activity, Health and Aging course for kinesiology and health science students, positions she still holds today.
The University holds a special place in Broderick’s heart after spending the last 30 years here and hundreds of students and student-athletes have been touched by her positive energy and dedication.
“York has been wonderful to me. The institution has given me the opportunity to coach and, after that, to remain as a teacher. The support has always been incredible.”
