US Field Hockey News

US Field Hockey News

Record Field Set to Compete in California at USA Field Hockey’s National Hockey Festival

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The USA Field Hockey continues a long-standing holiday tradition Thanksgiving weekend, when the sport’s national governing body hosts its National Hockey Festival, Nov. 27 – Nov. 30, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif.

The world’s largest amateur field hockey event, the 2003 Festival features a record 223 teams from 22 states and international squads from Canada and Scotland. The 3500 athletes will compete for titles in Women’s Age Group (Under 16 and Under 19), Women’s Open and Mixed (co-ed) divisions. The 223 team field smashes the previous mark of 194 teams set last year in Indio.

The teams will play 686 games on 25 fields during the event.

The Under 19 tournament is the Festival’s largest division with 140 teams competing for 20 pool championships. In addition to providing a showcase for the sport and the chance for athletes to compete against players from across the country, the Festival allows prospective college athletes an opportunity to perform before a gallery of collegiate coaches gathered from some of the nation’s top programs. One of the Festival’s most competitive divisions, the Open Division features U.S. Olympians such as Sheryl Johnson (’80, ’84, ‘88), Diane Madl (’96), Cindy Werley (’96), Marcia Pankratz (’96) and Liz Tchou (’96) of Holland Tunnel and Laurel Martin (’96) of Red Rose. In addition, Open Division rosters feature former National Team players as well as current collegiate coaches and all-America selections competing for top honors.
The event marks the tenth time California has hosted the Festival. Indio and the Empire Polo Club entertained the tournament in 2002, 1997 and 1995, while Irvine (’87, ’88, ’90, ’93) and Long Beach (’83, ’84) also played host to the event. Competition runs throughout the day during the four days of the Festival with games beginning at 7:00 am (9 am Sunday). Final games of the day are scheduled for 3:00 p.m (noon Sunday). Admission to the event is free of charge. Parking at the Empire Polo Club is available for a daily fee.

Originating as the National Sectional Championships and national team selection tournament in 1922, the Festival adopted its current multi-divisional format in 1981 by introducing tournaments for high school-aged players, club and open teams.