In efforts to increase the number of athletes eligible for talent identification and selection opportunities, Super Camp, U.S. Field Hockey’s developmental camp for athletes, coaches and umpires, will feature two important enrollment procedure changes.

Beginning in 1999, Super Camp will limit enrollment to athletes not currently involved in the 1999 Futures Program. Because the Futures Program and Super Camp both provide an entry-level springboard into the USFHA development program, and since Futures athletes are already involved in the development process, athletes currently enrolled in Futures don’t require an additional selection experience at Super Camp.

By not duplicating enrollment in Super Camp and the Futures Program, the move allows more of the top collegiate athletes to participate in the development and talent identification process while giving these athletes their only opportunity to earn selection into the USFHA Elite Development Program.

To further assist the collegiate athlete in attending Super Camp, the 1999 Super Camp is tentatively scheduled for locations on both the East and West Coast. Dates and locations will be available at www.usfieldhockey.com as they become finalized. The East Coast Super Camp will accept 250 collegiate athletes with the West Coast camp expected to enroll 125 college players.

High Schools Unhampered

While the change in the program provides a needed boost for collegiate athletes, it does not hamper the selection process for high school players. High school athletes not currently involved in the Futures Program are still eligible to attend Super Camp. Both the Super Camp and Futures Program are based on a similar national curriculum and both programs offer the opportunity for continued selection into elite development programs.

Application Changes

A change in application procedure has also been initiated for 1999. Applications will be available on the U.S. Field Hockey Association’s website (www.usfieldhockey.com) and in the February issue of Hockey News. In a change from previous years, applications will not be sent to schools, universities or colleges. Athletes without access to either the USFHA website or the February issue of the Hockey News may call the USFHA office after February 1, 1999 and request an application or a USFHA membership application in order to receive Hockey News. Applications will be accepted on a first come basis.

In its fifth season 1999, Super Camp also includes development opportunities for coaches and umpires.

Coaches may attend a Level One or Level Two Coach Education Course to continue their professional development, but all coaches must pass the Level One course before continuing to the Level Two Coach Education Course. Coaches may apply to test out of the Level One course in order to attend the Level Two course, but coaches may only test out with the intention of attending the Level Two Coach Education Course.

Umpires also have the opportunity to attend an in-depth umpire training session. With a curriculum consisting of active participation, observation and classroom sessions, Super Camp provides the umpire the opportunity to improve skills, renew or upgrade current rating and stay current on rules and new styles of play.

SUPER CHANGES

The 1999 Super Camp program will include the following changes

1. Athletes enrolled in the 1999 Futures Program will not be eligible to attend Super camp.

2. Applications will NOT be mailed to schools, colleges or universities. Applications will be available at www.usfieldhockey.com or in the February Hockey News. Applications are accepted on a first come basis.

-- The East Coast Super camp will limit enrollment to 250 collegiate athletes and 150 High School athletes.

-- The West Coast Super Camp (tentative) will limit enrollment to 125 collegiate athletes and 75 High School athletes.