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Bessant Grant Helps San Francisco Hawks Build for the Future

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Content Courtesy of San Francisco Hawks

In 2017, Michelle Van De Braak launched the San Francisco Hawks, the first youth field hockey club in San Francisco, Calif., inspired and supported by USA Field Hockey. With 24 players, three coaches, and 24 sticks and balls from that initial support, she partnered with the local YMCA to run a 6-week program that introduced field hockey to a brand-new community. What began as a small pilot quickly took root, fueled by the enthusiasm of players and families eager to see field hockey thrive in the Bay Area.


Michelle Vandebraak
Seven years later, the San Francisco Hawks have grown into a true developmental program on the verge of becoming a field hockey hot spot in Northern California. The players are achieving national recognition through opportunities at the Nexus Championship and AAU Junior Olympic Games, and the club is proud to have both girls and boys in the development pipeline. Yet despite these successes, one challenge has always remained: the lack of a proper surface to play on. To this day, players often practice on tennis courts and other makeshift spaces, limiting their ability to fully develop their skills. In 2024, Van De Braak applied for and joined the first cohort of USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant recipients.

The Bessant Grow the Game Grant will be transformative in addressing this challenge. Thanks to this support, San Francisco Hawks have secured a permanent location in Pacifica, received donated AstroTurf from Stanford University, and partnered with the nonprofit America Scores to serve as their contractor. 

These pieces are critical steps toward building a dedicated field hockey facility in the region, ensuring the players and future generations have a proper home for the sport. This field will not only support current athletes but also create a lasting impact on the broader Bay Area field hockey community.

San Francisco Hawks' mission to grow the game extends beyond competitive play. A few weekends ago, they hosted more than 70 players at their annual free clinic. Each participant left with a free stick, a free ball, and - most importantly - a new love for the game. These experiences are how they spark lifelong passion, broaden access, and bring new families into the community. 

San Francisco Hawks are now closer than ever to making this field a reality, with only $68,000 left to raise in our capital campaign. The Bessant Grant has given them the foundation and momentum to push this vision across the finish line. Van De Braak is deeply grateful for the support and is inspired by what lies ahead: a thriving hub for field hockey in the Bay Area, where young boys and girls can learn, grow, and achieve their dreams on a field they can finally call their own.

If you would like to learn more about the San Francisco Hawks or are interested in supporting the capital campaign, then please email michelle@sfyouthfieldhockey.com for ways to contribute.