Kentucky State Chapter Growing the Game with Local YMCAs
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With the support of USA Field Hockey’s Bessant Grow the Game Grant, the YMCA of Greater Louisville recently brought the sport of field hockey to new communities in Kentucky and Indiana. Multiple Introduction to Field Hockey clinics were offered, including sessions at the Clark County Family YMCA in Jeffersonville, Ind., the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA in West Louisville, and the Oldham County Family YMCA in Buckner, Ky.
In total, 132 boys and girls received their very own stick and ball to keep. Under the guidance of staff and volunteer high school and college athletes, new players learned the fundamentals of the game, including dribbling, passing, and shooting. The emphasis was on fun, skill-building, and making the sport accessible to everyone.
Parents and caregivers joined in the action, picking up sticks themselves and learning more about opportunities to stay involved. They received resources on umpire clinics, local high school and Division I college game schedules, and ways to connect with the USA Field Hockey Kentucky State Chapter for future play.
The efforts didn’t stop there—on August 23 at the Northeast Family YMCA, more than 2,000 people attended the Member Appreciation Family Picnic. There, the Kentucky State Chapter set up and managed USA Field Hockey’s inflatable field to introduce attendees to the sport. During the 3-hour block, a wide variety of individuals and families stopped by to try field hockey. Some had played in high school and college and wanted to show their kids, while others wanted to play in school but never had the opportunity. Some had never seen field hockey but were curious and had a lot of questions.
"The YMCA member appreciation event showed there’s real enthusiasm for field hockey in Kentucky,” commented Ryan Kingery, 2024 Bessant Grow the Game Grantee and Vice President at the YMCA of Greater Louisville. “The excitement, curiosity, and community energy around the inflatable field was inspiring. Players reconnecting with the game, club and school athletes sharing their passion, and many people experiencing field hockey for the very first time all had a great day at the YMCA being included as the sport grows.”
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