The NCSIAA team rostered 20 athletes, each recognized as league All-Stars in the Independent School league. The NCFHA team invited 20 stand out seniors from public high schools around the state to play for their team.    The teams competed head to head in a single game competition.  This year, the NCSIAA team bested the NCFHA team in a hard fought game, finishing 2-1.

2022 marked the first time that this annual  event was hosted and organized by the USA Field Hockey North Carolina State Chapter. 

What used to be a state club hosted event was turned over to the newly formed North Carolina State Chapter by consensus.  One of the original organizers said “this felt like the natural home for this event, and we are glad it’s now with the Chapter”.   Reaching into its 11th year, this event is anticipated greatly by players for the end of their high school season as a capstone event.  The North Carolina State Chapter will be continuing to host the event in coming years.

Started in 2010 the North Carolina State All Star Game was created to honor the dedication and performance of field hockey athletes in the state of North Carolina.  Field hockey in the state has become robust and is consistently growing in both popularity and quality.  

This year's event was held at Jack Katz Stadium at Duke University in Durham, NC, although the game is intentionally held at various locations around the state to ensure good participation by athletes.  Players from around the state traveled hours, in some cases,  to take part in the event and represent their division.  Many players have been waiting with anticipation for this event for years.  Having watched as spectators and seeing teammates selected for this honor, it is a career capping honor for many and the coveted invitations are highly prized.

Parents actively supported the game, filling much needed volunteer slots for announcing, scoring and other support jobs, helping to create this experience for players.  They also had a great time themselves, and for some parents, this was the final event for them as well, if their daughter was not planning to play collegiately. 

A GAME FOR PLAYERS, FANS, PARENTS AND ALL STARS WHO ARE JUST BEGINNING

During halftime,  field hockey games brought fans out of the stands and onto the field.  Children were invited to be introduced to the game, pick up a stick, learn some skills and even compete in a hitting competition!  The event itself is geared towards the best on best competition but they did remember to reach back and help to create new dreams for burgeoning athletes aspiring to take the field in years to come as players and future all stars. 

In coming years, organizers hope to expand the game to 3 teams, especially as the sport continues to grow in the state.  Already in planning for next year, there are hopes the event will include clinics, a surrounding meet and greet dinner or luncheon for athletes.  Chapter leaders noted that these players compete hard all year against each other, and the chance to spend time talking over a meal would be a welcome addition.

The mission of the State Chapter is to represent the national sport organization at the local level, introducing and fostering all the things field hockey has to offer athletes in North Carolina.  This was a “mission accomplished” event, serving both the high school all stars, local fans and growing new young players who attended.  Key event organizer for the state chapter event were Amy Robertson, Terry Loeb and Miki Osherow, all current officers for the chapter.