Field Hockey in Michigan is on the move!  For the past year, and since its inception, the Michigan Chapter of USA Field Hockey has had boots on the ground working towards growing the game in the state. 

The chapter has been busy hosting Discover Field Hockey Clinics for 5-17 year olds, and has more clinics on tap for the spring. Two of the clinics have been run in areas of the state where there is little to no field hockey. One key target region is Lansing, which will geographically connect programming on the west side of the state, with the east side of Michigan. Nearby in East Lansing, Division I field hockey is played at Michigan State University. 

There are lots of new field hockey opportunities being offered this spring. Here are three Discover Field Hockey clinics that are being offered for beginners. Click the links for more details.

Discover  Field Hockey- March 27 Macomb County 

Discover Field Hockey - April 9 Brighton

Discover Field Hockey - April 16 Grand Rapids

The chapter is helping to identify budding field hockey communities, and is working with facility owners interested in housing new youth leagues, especially in communities without Rec and Ed programs.  This April, two new community youth leagues will kick off for players in 3rd-8th grade. Utilizing tools provided through the USA Field Hockey’s ADM Program, the focus will be on play and fun while teaching skills and tactics. The locations of the youth leagues are Oakland Yard Athletics in Commerce Township and Hope Sports Complex in Lansing. To learn more, click the links.

Spring Youth League: Oakland Yard Athletics

GLRFH Spring League at Hope Sports Complex, Lansing area

Adult programming has been set into motion as well. Organized indoor and outdoor adult field hockey has been offered for the first time ever through Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey, a non-profit that serves all ages and abilities through high quality coaching, programming, skill development, fitness training, and play. Last summer, a collection of adults of all age ranges, skill sets and athleticism gathered to play the game. Moms, dads, former players, athletes, beginners and fans of the game gathered for 45 minutes of instruction and 45 minutes of games. This winter, those same adults (and more!) were introduced to the indoor game.  The Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, about 30 minutes north of Ann Arbor, is host to this growing adult league.

 “Overall, our board is working diligently in the areas of umpiring and boys, youth and adult programming. We are just starting to see some of the work we have done over the past year, come to life. We are looking forward to working with enthusiastic parents and coaches to help us gain traction and open new doors,” said MI Chapter President Keely Tamer. 

If you want to learn more about the Michigan Chapter of USA Field hockey, visit our website MI Chapter of USA FH or reach out to us at michigan@usafieldhockey.com.