BYC Field Hockey: FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where do field hockey practices and games occur?
• The season will begin its first practices end of August and will run through November.
• The teams will be practicing at the Garnet Valley Middle School and High School field hockey fields. ALL Home games/activities are at GVHS. There are some AWAY games for both the Intramural and Intermediate (experienced) Teams.
• Weekly practices/scrimmages will be in the evenings during the week and games will be played on Saturdays & Sundays. Schedules will be provided after registration is complete.
When is registration?
• Online registration will begin again in June 2013. Because we are trying to accommodate various sport schedules (see FAQ Can my daughter play both field hockey and other activities?), we ask that you register as soon as possible to help us meet your needs.
How much does the program cost?
• Mini’s (K-2) and Intramural Clinic (3-6th) registration fee is $60.
• Intermediate (Selected Teams) registration fee is $75
• Intermediate/Tournament Teams may have additional fees during season (+ League/Tournament Costs)
ALL PLAYERS WILL BE EVALUATED REGARDLESS OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE TO DETERMINE PLACEMENT ON A TEAM. NOVICE PLAYERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUR INTRAMURAL CLINIC PROGRAM AND FOR THE MORE COMPETITIVE PLAYER, WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SELECTED TO PLAY ON OUR INTERMEDIATE TRAVEL TEAMS AND ALSO IN ADDITIONAL INTERMEDIATE/TOURNAMENT GAMES.
What are the eligible ages?
• Placement in a division is based on the player’s school grade in September. Some exceptions may be made based on a player’s years of experience.
• Girls must be in kindergarten in September to play intramural field hockey.
Are girls placed in leagues based on their birth date or school grade?
• Girls are placed in leagues based on their grade in school and field hockey playing experience.
What if my child has never played before?
• Now is the time! We encourage players at every level of experience to participate. Most kids are fairly adaptable and catch on quickly. Our Intramural Clinic Program is perfect for them.
Who are the coaches?
• To make the program a success, we will need parent volunteer to coach. BYC will offer an interactive coaching clinic to provide basic skill instruction, drills, and sample practice drills. There will be one head coach and one assistant coach for each team. GVHS Field Hockey Players can also assist as Student Coaches to earn service hours.
How do I sign up to coach?
• You may volunteer to coach when you register your players on the Website under registration or contact our Field Hockey Commissioner, Kim Easter at lackovi@verizon.net.
When will the coach’s clinic be held?
• Planning for the fall season happens during a busy time of year with vacations and back to school preparations, but we are planning to hold the coaches clinic during August each year to allow sufficient time for coaches to prepare for the season.
What Equipment will the girls need? What size stick should I buy? What should the girls wear?
• Players are responsible for buying their daughter a stick, shin guards, eye goggles, cleats and a mouth guard (Information on what and where to buy equipment is under "Equipment Needs" on the main Field Hockey Web Page along with what the girls should wear).
Who will referee?
• BYC uses GVHS Field Hockey Players to referee all intramural/intermediate games. If interested in becoming certified to Referee, information is posted under "Referee Information" on the main Field Hockey Web Page).
Is there a travel program?
• We currently play outside teams in our Intramural and Intermediate Programs. Based on evaluations, the more experienced players will be placed onto teams (1+ yrs experience required for 3rd-8th grades). This is a more intense program designed for the competitive player (please see "INTERMEDIATE PROGRAM" details on the main page). We also have playdays with local clubs who have similar experience and skill levels in our Mini's and Clinic program as well.
Can I request my daughter to be placed on a team with her friends?
• In the Intramurals Program (not in the Intermediate Program), we will try as best we can to accommodate 1 (please no more than 1) request to play with a friend. Our Intermediate Program is for the more competitive player and placement on a team is based on skill, not friend requests.
Can my daughter play both field hockey and other activities?
• Many parents asked if their daughters could play in both field hockey and other Fall activities. We would like to be as flexible as possible to allow girls to try field hockey without having to stop their other activities. During your online registration, please tell us about your daughter’s other activities (i.e. CCD, Cheerleading, Dance, Soccer, etc. and which nights you have practice nights and times) and we will try to work around their needs as best we can, the Intramural Clinic Program would be the best for them. Our Intermediate Program expects Field Hockey to take priority and the other activities to be scheduled around field hockey practice nights/times.
