Pat
Thorne

It was in April 1976, some 47 years ago that Patricia Thorne first stepped onto a volleyball court with a whistle in hand to referee her first match – a boy’s high school match. Since then, her journey as an official has been remarkable and her contributions to the sport have been immeasurable.

Since that early beginning, Pat Thorne has been a trailblazer for women in the Canadian Volleyball Community.  For six years, she served as the Chairperson for Volleyball Canada’s Officials Committee. It was here that she blazed a trail as the first women to fulfil this role. It was in this role that she provided a strong voice for women in refereeing while demonstrating her exceptional leadership and organizational skills.

Pat has also been involved in the sport in a variety of other roles including serving on the Volleyball Canada Board of Director for 6 years as well as serving as both President and Vice President of Volleyball New Brunswick.  She has acted as the Regional Officials Chairman in New Brunswick on several occasions and continues to contribute to that role.  Pat is also on the Volleyball Canada Executive Committee

In 2016, Pat was inducted into the Volleyball New Brunswick Hall of Fame in recognition of her overall contributions to the sport. For her contributions as an official, Pat was awarded the Volleyball New Brunswick Referee Lifetime Membership Award in 2019 which was followed by her being awarded the Volleyball Canada Referee Lifetime Award in 2020.

Pat remains active as an official.  Throughout her 47-year career, and still counting, she has refereed international matches, U Sport and CCAA championships and three Canada Games and has held the distinction of Head Referee Supervisor at many of Volleyball Canada National Championships.

Pat’s resume is vast, beyond the referee role, she is a highly respected professional in New Brunswick as a principle in the education system, with a reputation of always putting kids first. In 2014, Pat was awarded the Canadian Outstanding Principal of the Year in recognition of her professional accomplishments as an educational administrator and leader.

Today, Pat still carries a tremendous passion and respect for volleyball.  She has influenced many refereeing careers across Canada and continues to influence refereeing in New Brunswick.  She is held in very high regard and is well known as an innovator, a tireless worker, and a leader in improving refereeing across the country.  Pat is extremely humble but most importantly, she cares about leaving the world of refereeing in Canada in a better place.

Pat Thorne has made a difference in the lives of the countless people she mentored, inspired, and befriended. She touched us all with her passion, commitment, and love for volleyball. Today, we are honoured to induct Pat Thorne as a Referee into the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame for her work as a referee, administrator, and leader in our sport.