Our Philosophy
The mission of the Worcester County United Field Hockey Academy is to raise the G A M E of field hockey in Massachusetts. G A M E represents Grades, Ability, Motivation and Exposure. Our focus is to provide a safe and effective learning environment for players including field hockey instruction as well as health and fitness training.
The Recruiting
Process for Parents
- Take your daughter to a few local schools during her junior year of high school to get an idea of the type of school she may want. It is good to get a feel for schools of all sizes and locations and then start a list of schools that fit the criteria your daughter thinks may be a good fit for her.
- Do your homework early by checking out schools online. Almost every college will have a profile of the incoming freshmen class. Compare your daughterÕs academic profile with her list of schools.
- Start a notebook with a section for each school on her list. Write down everything that she liked and disliked about the school when she visited. Also, write down everything that you hear or read about the school that captures your attention.
- Go online and find field hockey schedules for local college teams. Try to watch a DI, DII, or DIII game and get an idea of the level of hockey. Then try to assess your daughterÕs ability and see what level is a good fit for her.
- Send a coach a letter or email of interest (I prefer emails). Keep the email short. Write a brief description about her academic background and athletic background also try to add something personal in the email if you know anything about the school, the coach, or any player on the team mention that in your email.
- Coaches are allowed to send information to a potential recruit but NCAA rules prohibits most contact until September 1st of her junior year. I would recommend sending out emails/letters in the end of August or early September.
- Make a highlight tape. Many coaches will not have the opportunity to see your daughter play so a highlight tape/DVD is essential. Keep the tape brief (5 to 8 minutes max) and include skill work and game play. The more footage you can get on turf field or flat surface the better. You do not have to get a tape professionally done. As long as the coach can identify your daughter on the tape you are all set.
- When you are going to visit a school email the coach ahead of time and ask to set up a meeting. Help your daughter research the program a bit, mainly by going on the website and also help her make up a few questions to ask the coach.
- During the meeting parents should ask about financial aid. Do not ask about scholarships, if the coach is going to offer you one then she will bring it up.
- Should your daughter be interested in playing in the off season there are a few local club teams as well as the futures program where she can play in the winter/spring.
- Division I and II athletes need to be cleared
through the NCAA clearinghouse.
Information can be found on this link. http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/common/index.html
- Do not do the work for your daughter. Have your daughter email and talk with the coach. She is going to be the one playing for the coach and it is important that she develops a good relationship with her early.
Helpful websites:
http://www.leadthewayfieldhockey.com/
http://www.usfieldhockey.com/futures/
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal
www.wcufha.com
http://www.worldhockey.org/
www.talkfieldhockey.com
Field Hockey Equipment:
http://www.mantishockey.com/store/
www.fieldhockey.net