Continuing growth: A Field Hockey club challenge

A couple of weeks ago we wrapped up our spring club season. For our club, this was the 1st spring season and we had almost 200 girls participating. While not a huge club, it is only our second season in existence, and we are quite pleased with our growth so far.

Currently, we are working with girls below the high school level, and are working to get field hockey into the local high schools. It is hard to believe that there is hockey in high schools in a neighboring county as well as private schools within the county, but the sport has been neglected by the public high schools to date. The good news is that a demand for field hockey is being created, and it is only a matter of time!

So, now that things are moving well and demand is on the rise; the question is raised, what are the obstacles that need to be overcome to continue growing?

Girls can join our field hockey club when they are 8 years old. There has been good responses for this age group and above; however, there are a number of children that are younger with the desire to play, and we have not identified a program that fits. This demand has created a number of internal discussions surrounding how to create opportunities for the younger girls to be able to play, or even if it is needed.

There are a number of obvious shortfalls for girls younger than 8, including; the ability to handle a stick, the technical nature of the game, and of course the ever shorter attention span of kids in general, the cost of equipment, and even burnout.

All that being said, with the global popularity of field hockey there is little doubt that there are programs available that are focused on these younger children. To date I have not been able to identify anything of substance.

Therefore, the question is posted to the field hockey community; are there programs for younger children available, have they been successful, and where can information be obtained?

Until next time, see you on the field!