USMNT Revamps Junior High Performance Pathway

To better align with international standards, USA Field Hockey is pleased to share a revamp in the Boys' and Men's High Performance Pathway (BMHPP). This new design was created to develop and retain athletes capable of representing the USA and succeeding at the elite level of international field hockey.

The newly structured BMHPP will cater to athletes aged 14 to 21 and be divided into the following age categories:

• Under 16 (U-16)
• Under 18 (U-18)
• Under 21 (U-21)

The U-16 and U-18 age groups will train together and compete within the U-18 category. Additionally, these groups will be further divided into a Performance Team and an "A" Team. The U-21 age group will also be structured similarly, with a Performance Team and an "A" Team.

The Performance Team consists of athletes who have demonstrated the necessary physical, technical and psychological skills required to compete internationally within their age category. The "A" Team is composed of athletes assessed to have the potential to reach the Performance Team level. These athletes will receive additional support and resources to aid their development and progression toward high-performance competition.

Each age category will have designated elite-level coaches, along with two team managers. For the 2025-27 cycle, the U-16 and U-18 Performance Team and “A” Team will be led by head coach Austin Pile, and assistant coaches Jesse Larson and Matthew Michie. The U-21 Performance Team will be headed by Pat Harris with assistant coach Will Holt, and performance analyst Joep Van Der Coelen. The U-21 “A” Team will be led by head coach Holt. All four squads will have Paul Singh as the technical specialist and Eva Katz (West Coast) and Ian Wagge (East Coast) acting as team managers.

These teams and coaches will be supported by and operate under USA Field Hockey’s Director of Junior High Performance Grant Fulton, Manager of Junior High Performance Mary Beth Zahnleuter and U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Allan Law.

The BMHPP will operate on a one-year cycle (2025-26). Athletes will be invited to attend an assessment training camp in June each year and if selected for either a Performance Team or an "A" Team, they will be expected to attend training camps in October, November, January, March, and May, with competitive games scheduled in April (international tour) and May (California Cup).

As part of the long-term growth and sustainability of the BMHPP, indoor will be incorporated into the Junior High Performance Pathway.

June 12-16: Assessment Training Camp (Charlotte, NC)

October 10-12: Training Camp #1 (Charlotte, NC)

November 13-16: Training Camp #2 (Chula Vista, CA)

January 16-19: Training Camp #3 (Chula Vista, CA)

March 27-29: Training Camp #4 (Charlotte, NC)

April (Dates TBD): International Tour (Location TBD)

May 19-21: Training Camp #5 (Moorpark, CA)

May 22-25: Tournament - California Cup (Moorpark, CA)

If you are a male athlete between the ages of 14 and 21 who is interested in getting involved in the Boys' and Men's High Performance Pathway, you are encouraged to fill out the Junior High Performance Interest Form by clicking here.

International age eligibility is determined based on a January 1 cutoff date.

• Example: If an athlete is 15 years old on or before January 1, 2026, and turns 16 during 2026, he will be eligible to play in the U-16 category.