USA Field Hockey & the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Partner to Grow the Game

LOS ANGELES - In 2019, USA Field Hockey formed a Task Force committed to growing field hockey in California in advance and as a legacy of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Since its formation, USA Field Hockey has held the California Field Hockey Symposium (December 2019), conducted a Foundations Course to introduce field hockey to community leaders (December 2019), promoted field hockey to schools at the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) and established the California State Chapter of USA Field Hockey (2020 and ongoing) to engage, empower and grow the California field hockey community. Through these initiatives, USA Field Hockey connected with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and has formed a partnership to expand field hockey throughout Los Angeles.  

Through this partnership, USA Field Hockey and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (LA City Parks) will work together to grow the game of field hockey in the greater Los Angeles area as part of their commitment to provide fun and healthy sports activities in advance of LA28. A total of 26 Discover Field Hockey Clinics will be conducted at 13 parks in Los Angeles throughout the summer and fall of 2021, with the goal to engage and support 750 kids and their families through a fun Discover Field Hockey experience. After a long delay due to COVID-19, the first clinic is set to take place on Saturday, July 17 at Lanark Recreation Center in Canoga Park. 

Discover Field Hockey is a 90-minute clinic specially designed to introduce the great sport of field hockey in a fun and engaging way. Boys and girls ages 7 to 13 are welcome to register for just $10 per player. The full list of dates and the link to register is available here. No previous field hockey experience or equipment is necessary. All attendees will receive and take home a stick and ball for continued play at home.  

There is a great potential for field hockey growth and development in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Moorpark, just north of LA, has been a field hockey hub for many years. It’s time to expand those roots into LA and its surrounding area. USA Field Hockey is thrilled to be working with LA City Parks to help youth and their parents discover and enjoy field hockey. Through this partnership, the organization aspires to develop and support leagues and clubs in providing sustainable playing opportunities. The Department of Recreation and Parks has seized the opportunity to engage LA youth. 

"The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is very excited to partner with USA Field Hockey to provide LA youth access to a challenging and fun new sport," said Anita Meacham, LA City Parks Division Head. "This affordable program creates an opportunity for kids to master a new skill, achieve their full potential and grow the sport of field hockey in anticipation for the LA28 Olympic games.”

USA Field Hockey has offered two virtual training sessions so far for LA City Parks. Through these sessions, staff have learned the background and basics of field hockey, the planning and delivery of the Discover Field Hockey experience and have been provided with additional resources to best prepare them to deliver programming. All registrants will receive a stick and a GO Ball as part of their Discover Field Hockey experience.  

Volunteers are needed! 

USA Field Hockey is looking for local coaches to help lead the upcoming clinics. Curriculum and resources will be provided to all coaches. If you are interested in volunteering for one or more of the clinic locations, please reach out to Caroline Lammers, LA City Parks Recreation Supervisor, at caroline.lammers@lacity.org and Marc Bakerman, USA Field Hockey’s Boys Development Manager, at mbakerman@usafieldhockey.com. Safety is USA Field Hockey and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks top priority, therefore, all volunteers must register through the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks volunteer system. To be approved as a volunteer, all must complete a background check and fingerprinting.  

“USA Field Hockey is excited to introduce and grow field hockey in LA through our partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks," said Jenna Ortega, Youth Engagement Manager. "Field hockey is a brand-new sport for the Department as well as for many of the local children and parents. It always brings us great joy to see kids pick up a stick for the first time and fall in love with the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if our LA28 Olympians get their start in a LA City Parks Discover Field Hockey Clinic!”