USA Field Hockey & MIAA Partner to Support & Grow the Game in Massachusetts

MALDEN, Mass. - This past Saturday on a beautiful sunny fall New England day, athletes, coaches, umpires and sport leaders gathered at MacDonald Stadium in Malden, Mass. to celebrate, network, learn and strategize for the future. USA Field Hockey, in partnership with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), hosted free clinics for coaches and umpires, students in 7th to 12th grades, and boys only.

The day started with umpire and coach clinics, and a brief discussion about the important role coaches and umpires play in the development and growth of the game. Coaches and umpires have so much responsibility for not just delivering competitions but also in promoting and teaching the game, recruiting and mentoring new athletes, coaches and umpires. USA Field Hockey’s new Head of Umpiring Sean Rapaport and USA Field Hockey Board of Directors Members and Umpire Representative Jeanne O’Brien met with umpires from throughout the area to discuss topics of interest, focusing on positioning. Umpires ranged in experienced from new to the game to 40+ years of experience. This was Rapaport’s first in-person clinic as the Head of Umpiring and he was excited to listen, learn and meet umpires in attendance.

"What a pleasure getting to meet and engage with a great group of local umpires ranging in experience from beginner to experience,” commented Rapaport. “As we look to grow and develop our pool of umpires in the United States, I look forward to attending many more events that cater for and speak to them."

Coaches from throughout the area met with U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Harry Singh, Atlanta 1996 Olympian and former Brown University Head Jill Reeve, as well at U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team athlete and coach Chris Pothier and U.S. O-40 Master’s Masters Team goalkeeper David Eddie. USA Field Hockey extends a huge thank you to Reeve, Pothier and Eddie for volunteering their time and sharing their expertise to support the sport in Massachusetts and for being such outstanding role models for men’s field hockey.

“We believe this clinic was one of the most productive we have had in recent times,” said Singh. “The success of this event was due, in no small part, to the support provided by the volunteers and Malden High school management.”

Following the coach and umpire clinics, many stayed to support the athlete clinics. Approximately 80 boys and girls attended the session for students in 7th to 12th grades to play and learn tips on skills and small-sided game play. Players received autographs and USA Field Hockey pinnies that were donated by USA Field Hockey and the U.S. Men’s Field Hockey Foundation.

"Thank you to Sherry Bryant of MIAA for your drive and vision for boy's high school field hockey play,” added Marc Bakerman, USA Field Hockey’s Boys Development Manager. “Today was a milestone with 22 boys participating in our clinics led by U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Harry Singh and Olympian Jill Reeve. This event was successful because of a total team effort. At the end of the day, all the boys and girls that participated left with smiles on their faces. I am so excited to build upon this event.”

USA Field Hockey would also like to thank Malden High School Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey, for hosting the event and extend a congratulations to Malden High School on fielding the first boys field hockey team in Massachusetts in 2022.

Another thank you goes to Katherine Hennessy, MIAA Field Hockey Committee Member, for her continued dedication to supporting field hockey for boys and girls in Massachusetts and for sharing her time and talent as event photographer. Click here for the full event photo gallery.

Look for more programming to support and grow field hockey in Massachusetts coming spring!

After the event, USA Field Hockey’s National Development Director Sally Goggin reviewed the wide range of tools and resources available to support new and existing program school, feeder and club programs, including Discover Field Hockey, GO Balls and GO Cards, and plastic and wood sticks sold individually and in bundles (starting in size 24”!)  to help make introducing field hockey turnkey and affordable. Goggin also talked about the importance of membership, as it supports grow the game initiatives like the MIAA Clinic as well as other coach and umpire education and the Junior and Senior U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Sally Goggin at sgoggin@usafieldhockey.com.

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