Education
Cathy attended Burlington Central High School from 1974 to 1979 where she participated in both basketball and track and field
Cathy attended Burlington Central High School from 1974 to 1979 where she participated in both basketball and track and field
She was a goaltender in the Central Ontario Women"s Hockey League. However, her primary interest in athletics was playing ice hockey and fastball for the local Burlington community teams. Beginning in 1982, and for the next 7 years she would compete in the women's Canadian National Championships, earning 4 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
In 1987, and again in 1990, Cathy had the honour of goaltending the Canadian team to 2 World Championships, and was in goal for both final games victories.
Two months following the last World Championship victory, Cathy was diagnosed with a brain tumor thus ending her playing career quite abruptly. Cathy battled back from her illness and spent many years coaching at various levels throughout the world of international women's ice hockey.
She continues to volunteer and speak at local, national, and international venues, all in the interest of spreading the popularity of women"s hockey around the world. Cathy continues to play as a goalie at the recreational level today.
Phillips was voted Top Goaltender 14 times during her years of play in the COWHL. She was also named Most Valuable Player twice.
She played in 7 of the first 9 Canadian National Women's Ice Hockey Championship. At the inaugural National Championship in1982, Phillips was the winning goaltender. Playing for Team Ontario, Ontario defeated Alberta in overtime.
In 1987, Phillips represented Canada in the first World Tournament in 1987.
She would also play for Canada at the first IIHF World Championship in 1990. After she stopped playing, Phillips secured her Advanced Level coaching certification.
In later years, she would serve as an Assistant Coach on the Ontario Women's Hockey Association’s team at the Canada Winter Games. 14 top goalie awards in 17 years of competition.
2 Most Valuable Player league awards for COWHL (forerunner to current National Women's Hockey League)
Gold Medal – World tournament –1987 (Toronto)
Gold Medal – World Championship – 1990 (Ottawa)
Hockey Sweater has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame – 1992
Gold Medal – Canada Winter Games – 1995
Isobel Gathorne-Hardy (Lord Stanley’s daughter) Award – presented by Canadian Hockey and Esso for female player of the year in 2005, showing leadership, development, and commitment to the game of hockey
Female Breakthrough Award - presented by Canadian Hockey for outstanding leadership for the advancement of women"s hockey
In 17 year career she recorded 3 Gaelic Athletic Association"s below 1.00 and her highest Gaelic Athletic Association in those 17 years was 1.78
2005 Isobel Gathorne Hardy Award.