USA Field Hockey Announces 2025 Bessant Grow the Game Grant Awardees
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Field Hockey is excited to announce the 2025 awardees of the USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant. This grant is designed to support leaders in building “Field Hockey Hot Spots,” defined as places where field hockey is an accessible sport option for people to discover, play, learn, compete, improve, and excel as players, coaches, umpires and fans.
After a successful first round of awardees last year, it is a delight to be able to continue this initiative to grow the game, all because of the generosity of Cathy,” said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director. “Grow the Game underpins the mission of USA Field Hockey, and the Bessant Grow the Game Grant has successfully helped organizations thrive and reach their potential.”
The USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant was established in 2024 through the generosity and vision of USA Field Hockey’s Board Member, Cathy Bessant. Bessant, a trailblazer in life and in her career with Bank of America, personifies leadership and stewardship. Bessant has supported field hockey for many years, locally in her Charlotte, N.C., community and regionally, nationally, and internationally. In 2024, Bessant gave USA Field Hockey a donation of $1 million, supported by Bank of America, earmarking $200,000 to grow the game. The Bessant Grow the Game Grant will be awarded over four years to applicants who are field hockey leaders working to develop sustainable opportunities in communities throughout the United States. $50,000 was awarded in 2024 and is already in use impacting growth. Now in 2025, an additional $50,000 is being awarded to nine organizations. Two additional $50k grants will be awarded in 2026 and 2027, leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Grant supports leaders committed to growing the game by creating sustainable field hockey opportunities that build and strengthen a community’s field hockey ecosystem. Grantees will receive both financial support, networking opportunities and mentorship. It is awarded to applicants who demonstrate a collaborative approach to developing a sustainable field hockey ecosystem. Those ecosystems may include clubs, State Chapters, multi-sport organizations such as schools, parks and recreation centers, YMCA, colleges/universities, sports facilities, and more.
In addition to financial support, Grantees will collaborate with others in the 2024 and 2025 USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant Cohort to network and share ideas, successes and learning. The 2024 grantees will participate as mentors for the 2025 grantees.
Congratulations to the following USA Field Hockey 2025 Bessant Grow the Grant Awardees:
Philip Ariza | South County Royals Field Hockey Club | California |
Bella Butler | Lewisburg YMCA/Bison Field Hockey Club | Pennsylvania |
Lauren Chitman | Tidewater/Undertow Field Hockey Club | Virginia |
Jamie Hoctor | Sandwich Middle High School | Massachusetts |
Katilyn Paquin | Cardinals Field Hockey Club | Connecticut |
Alycia Pollinger | Buffalo Field Hockey Club | New York |
Melissa Ponzio | Somers Youth Field Hockey | New York |
Jordan Pruitt | Overtime Athletics of Greater Lexington | Kentucky |
Reshma Sahakian | Charleston Field Hockey | South Carolina |
Thank you to all the 2025 applicants, Cathy Bessant and the Bessant Grow the Game Voting Committee consisting of Rachel Dawson, Adam Falla, Melissa Gonzales, Miki Osherow and Chip Rogers.
The USA Field Hockey 2026 Bessant Grow the Game Grant application window will open in January on usafieldhockey.com. Thank you to all the leaders growing field hockey across the country.
