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Tom Harris Boys Play Field Hockey Grant

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  • USA Field Hockey, in partnership with the U.S. Men’s Field Hockey Foundation and the Grewal Family Foundation, proudly announces the 2025 Tom Harris Boys Play Field Hockey Grant program. Named in honor of male field hockey pioneer and USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Tom Harris, this grant aims to foster the growth of boys’ field hockey by creating sustainable “Boys Field Hockey Hot Spots” across the United States. These hot spots are communities where boys can discover, play, learn, compete, improve, and excel as players, coaches, umpires, and fans.

    The 2025 grant program offers a total of $20,000 in cash awards, with a maximum of $4,000 per grantee, supplemented by equipment, technology, educational resources, professional support, and mentorship. The program will launch on June 30, 2025, and seeks to empower leaders who demonstrate a collaborative, sustainable approach to building boys’ field hockey ecosystems.

  • Grant Objectives

    • Increase Accessibility: Expand opportunities for boys to participate in field hockey through clubs, schools, parks and recreation centers, YMCAs, colleges/universities, and other multi-sport organizations.
    • Build Sustainable Ecosystems: Create self-sustaining Boys’ Field Hockey Hot Spots that integrate players, coaches, umpires, and fans into a thriving community.
    • Foster Leadership: Support leaders (e.g., coaches, administrators, or community organizers) who are committed to growing the sport for boys through innovative and inclusive programs.
    • Promote Collaboration: Encourage partnerships among local organizations, schools, and sports facilities to strengthen the boys’ field hockey infrastructure.
    • Develop Skills and Engagement: Provide resources for skill development, coaching education, umpire training, and fan engagement to ensure long-term growth.

  • Grant Details

    • Total Funding: $20,000 in cash, distributed across up to 10 grantees (maximum $4,000 per grantee).
    • Additional Support:
      • Equipment: Sticks, balls, goals, protective gear, and other field hockey essentials.
      • Technology: A custom WordPress website with access to digital platforms for training, scheduling, and community engagement (e.g., virtual coaching tools, team management software).
      • Educational Resources: Coaching and umpire certification courses, workshops, and webinars provided by USA Field Hockey.
      • Professional Support: Networking opportunities with national and regional field hockey leaders.
      • Mentorship: Each grantee will be paired with a mentor from the National Boy’s Engagement Team, selected to align with the grantee’s vision and goals.
    • Cohort Participation: Grantees will join the 2025 Tom Harris Boys Play Field Hockey Grant Cohort, a collaborative network for sharing best practices, resources, and strategies with other grant recipients.

  • Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants must:

    • Be individuals or organizations (e.g., clubs, schools, parks and recreation centers, YMCAs, colleges/universities, or sports facilities) based in the United States.
    • Demonstrate a commitment to growing boys’ field hockey through sustainable, community-based programs.
    • Propose a clear plan to create or expand a Boys Field Hockey Hot Spot, including:
      • Strategies for recruiting and retaining boy players, coaches, and umpires.
      • Plans for community engagement and fan development.
      • Collaborative partnerships with local organizations (e.g., schools, sports clubs, or community centers).
    • Show evidence of leadership and organizational capacity to implement and sustain the proposed program.
    • Be willing to participate in the 2025 Grant Cohort and engage with assigned mentors.
    • Be or become a USA Field Hockey Coach or Umpire member.

  • Grant Committee

    Lenny McCaigue, Men’s Foundation

    Dave Jackson, Men’s Foundation

    Jason Shevokas, Boy’s Engagement Team

    Peter Smith, Boy’s Engagement Team

    Marcel van Niekerk, Boy’s Engagement Team

    Non-Voting Staff:

    Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey's Executive Director

    Marc Bakerman, USA Field Hockey's National Boys Engagement Manager

    Sally Goggin, USA Field Hockey's National Development Director

Application Process #

  • Submission Deadline: August 15, 2025
  • Application Requirements:
    • Proposal
      • Describe the vision for the Boys Field Hockey Hot Spot, including specific goals and activities.
      • Outline the target community (e.g., age groups, geographic area, underserved populations).
      • Detail partnerships with local organizations to strengthen the field hockey ecosystem.
      • Provide a timeline for implementation (September 2025–August 2026).
      • Include a budget detailing how the cash grant and additional resources will be used.
    • Organizational Background:
      • Provide a brief overview of the applicant’s experience and capacity to execute the proposed program.
      • Include any relevant partnerships or existing field hockey programs.
    • Letters of Support (optional but encouraged):
      • Up to two letters from community partners, schools, or organizations endorsing the proposal.
  • Submission Method:
    • Applications must be submitted electronically by clicking here.
    • Submission Deadline: August 15, 2025
  • Award Announcement: September 2, 2025

News#