To celebrate the formation of a boys field hockey team here at Malden High School, the US Mens National Field Hockey team, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), held a clinic for over 100 players.
The boys field hockey team is set to start in the fall of 2023 along with a separate girls field hockey team. Both teams are set to have a state tournament. As the girl field hockey team reconstructs from the Co-Ed team, there will be a separate boys team that is set to start in the fall of 2023, making it the first boys field hockey team in any high school in the state.
The US Field Hockeys’ National Development Director Sally Goggin explained that “we are here celebrating and thanking Malden High School for being pioneers in boys high school field hockey.”
Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey first found out about the opportunity to host the clinic through his work as a board member for the MIAA. He said, “[he] jumped at the opportunity… It’s not every day that you get the chance to collaborate and learn from the very best in any field,” and also added that “I had a great time and it looked like everyone else did as well.” He also hinted at plans for another possible clinic in the spring.
Goggin explained that “What we are trying to do is to open the door for boys field hockey teams to start so that there can be boys-specific teams, girls-specific teams and Co-Ed.” The national team is “hoping that this will take off and soon there will be lots of high schools with Boys Field Hockey teams as well.”
Head coach of the men’s national team, Harendra “Harry” Singh, echoed, “One of my dreams is to make the boys field hockey section bigger,” and that “The number of players should be more.” He clarified that “once we improve the quantity, we can improve the quality.”
To do this, the national team has been traveling across the country to meet with players and find places to build their new training centers, “we are planning [on building] five or six centers across the US for the boys with the help of the girls teams,” mentioned Singh, adding that, Malden “is one of the places we are thinking about opening one [of the centers].” With these centers, boys can train with the national under-16, under-18, under-21, the development team, and eventually the senior team.
Before the clinic began, a small session was held for coaches and umpires specifically. It is estimated that around 20 coaches and 20 umpires attended. “Coaches and umpires have so much responsibility for not just delivering competitions, but also in promotion and teaching the game, recruiting and mentoring new athletes, coaches and umpires,” writes the national team on their official website.
Shortly thereafter, around 80 students from 7th to 12th grade were debriefed Singh and met with the players and coaches leading the clinic: Former Olmpian Jill Reeve, National Indoor Team Athlete Christ Potheir, and over 40 national team Goalkeeper David Eddie.
Shortly thereafter, around 80 students from 7th to 12th grade were debriefed by Head Coach Harry Singh and met with the players and coaches leading the clinic: Former Olmpian Jill Reeve, National Indoor Team Athlete Christ Potheir, and over-40 national team Goalkeeper David Eddie.
Over-40 national team goalkeeper David Eddie coaching the younger goalies. NATHAN DEAN
To end the event, players were given free field hockey sticks, t-shirts, and pinnies. Attendees also had the opportunity to receive signatures from any of the coaches, with Singh and Reeve being the clear favorites. A half-field match was held after finishing off the clinic for any members still interested in playing.
After the event, Harry Singh said, “I think that the kind of skills and the kind of players I have seen is amazing. If they get good coaching and the platform, they [will be able to] showcase their skill.” He also wanted to thank the parents for coming and expressed his desire for more boys and girls to play field hockey.
“Field hockey is a sport for all, a sport for life. There is a misconception that field hockey is just for girls, but nothing could be further from the truth.”
Sally Goggin
