The modern game of field hockey evolved in England in the mid-19th century. The first men’s hockey club, Blackheath, was formed in 1849, and led to the establishment of the Hockey Association in London in 1886. The British army introduced the game to India and throughout the British colonies, leading to the first International competition in 1895.

Men's field hockey first appeared on the Olympic program at the 1908 London Games and again in 1920 at Antwerp. The sport was again featured on the program at Amsterdam in 1928 and has been an Olympic sport ever since. Women's field hockey became a staple on the Olympic program in Moscow in 1980.

It was originally considered far too dangerous for female participation.  However, field hockey quickly became popular with women whose only introduction to sport at that time included the "socially acceptable" outdoor activities of croquette and lawn tennis. As it became more popular and more and more women were introduced to it, it soon earned the dubious title as the only team sport considered proper for women.

By 1887, the first women’s hockey club appeared in East Mosley, England, and was quickly followed by the creation of the All England Women’s Hockey Association in 1889. The sport spread across the Atlantic in 1901 when English physical education instructor Constance Applebee introduced the sport to the U.S. while attending a seminar at Harvard.

Applebee was appalled at the parlor games passing for exercise among young American women at the time.  She borrowed some sticks and a ball and staged the first hockey exhibition in the United States behind the Harvard gymnasium. The game received an enthusiastic response, and Applebee quickly spread the sport to some of the region's most prestigious women's schools.

By the early 1920’s, several colleges and clubs sponsored field hockey teams for women. In 1922 the United States Field Hockey Association was founded for the purpose of promoting and generating enthusiasm for the sport. 

With the increasing popularity of the sport, and through the pioneering efforts of the Association's early touring teams, the U.S. continued its rise to international prominence. In 1975, the U.S. appeared in the first I.F.W.H.A. World Championship of women's hockey in Edinburgh, Scotland (10th), and five years later earned an invitation to the first women's Olympic Games tournament in Moscow. The U.S. boycott of the 1980 Games prevented the team from competing in Moscow. Under legendary coach Vonnie Gros, the USA captured the bronze medal four years later at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The team would continue its Olympic tradition with appearances in Seoul in 1988 and Atlanta in 1996.

The program is for all High School girls.

It is designed to be an introduction to the sport of field hockey. We play anywhere from 6 - 9 games against teams from all over Ohio.

Emphasis is placed on:

·       Learning the basics

·       Understanding the importance of teamwork

·       Getting ready for the more intense high school program

·       Sign-ups are in the first week of August.

Registration fee of $80 includes:

·       6 - 9 games

·       Practices four days a week

·       Teambuilding environment

·       A jersey to keep at the end of the season

·       A fun and enjoyable learning experience

·       To play the girls will need:

·       Shin Guards

·       Mouth Guard

·       Cleats

·       Running Shoes

·       A stick is recommended, but there is a team supply available (Galyans and Sportsmart are usually fully stocked around late July or early August)

For More Information call Sharon at (614) 246-9900