Uniting the Field Hockey Community: Key Takeaways from the High Performance Summit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Last week, USA Field Hockey hosted a highly anticipated High Performance Summit (HPS) that brought together a diverse group of 62 individuals which included representatives from club teams, high schools and all divisions of college. Led by a talented group, including U.S Women’s National Team Head Coach David Passmore, the HPS proved to be an invaluable opportunity for knowledge sharing and camaraderie. With a schedule packed full of engaging activities and insightful presentations, the event left a lasting impact on all those who attended - including Passmore.

“It was a delight to me, my staff and the USWNT athletes to see so many coaches invest in their time to learn and understand our culture, principles and tactical frameworks,” stated Passmore. “I am so positive about the interactions and the time spent and believe that so many athletes will benefit as a result. I feel strongly that this event needs to be an annual sharing to maximize the growth in our players and teams at every level.”

The summit boasted an impressive lineup of USA Field Hockey Staff, featuring renowned coaches and experts in the sport. The list included High Performance Director Craig Parnham, U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Harry Singh, Head of Umpiring Sean Rapaport, and guest coaches Javi Telechea and Jami Muelders. In addition to Passmore, the USWNT Staff included Tracey Fuchs, Pietie Coetzee Turner, David Williamson and Jackie Briggs. Each of these experienced professionals presented their expertise and left a lasting impression on the attendees.

Attendees actively engaged in observation tasks during an intra-squad scrimmage and had the opportunity to observe a USWNT training session, which was followed by insightful review sessions led by Passmore and his staff. This provided coaches with the opportunity to thoroughly analyze and deconstruct the strategies, techniques and teamwork displayed. Moreover, coaches were encouraged to ask pointed questions and seek clarification from the staff, which further enriched the experience.

The classroom presentations delivered by the USWNT Staff were nothing short of excellent. The coaches dedicated time to review "The USA Way," emphasizing the importance of culture, core values, principles and playing style that define the women’s style of field hockey. Attendees also received comprehensive instruction on skill development, and a detailed tactical analysis of game clips were presented.

“It was great to see so many coaches take the time to attend the HP Summit,” said Parnham. “The sharing of knowledge and openness of the USWNT Staff and athletes will help broaden the understanding of the principles of play and philosophies that drive the national team program. This collaboration between the college coaches and national team was great to be part of.”

USA Field Hockey's Foundation Executive Director Pam Stuper sponsored a social event at the end of the first day. This casual gathering provided coaches with a relaxed atmosphere to connect with peers, unwind and simply enjoy each other’s company. USA Field Hockey sponsors donated raffle prizes that were given out throughout the event.

Thanks to the exceptional willingness of the High Performance Staff to share their best practices and the enthusiastic participation of the attending coaches, the High Performance Summit was an unqualified success. The dedication and expertise of the staff, coupled with the receptive feedback from the coaches, ensured that the summit achieved its primary objective of empowering coaches to excel in their roles, elevate the sport and support the U.S. National Teams moving forward.

USA Field Hockey sincerely thanks the dedicated coaches who attended the 2023 High Performance Summit.

Click here for the full list of attendees and photo gallery.