USA Field Hockey To Host Clinics In Malden

MALDEN, MA — Local field hockey players will get a chance to take the field alongside a series of star field hockey coaches this weekend in a set of planned free field hockey clinics in Malden.

Open to all, the events are also looking to celebrate and promote opportunities for boys in field hockey as Malden hopes to spearhead a new statewide high school boys field hockey league.

The events are set for Saturday, Oct. 29 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Malden’s MacDonald Stadium.

The individual schedule is as follows:

• 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (Coach & Umpire Clinic)
• 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Clinic for Students 7th-12th grade)
• 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Boys Only Clinic)

The clinics will feature U.S. Men’s National Field Hockey Team Head Coach Harry Singh alongside USA Field Hockey Boys Development Manager Marc Bakerman.

Atlanta 1996 Olympian and former Brown University Field Hockey Head Coach Jill Reeves will be in attendance in addition to Head of Umpiring Sean Rapaport, National Development Director Sally Goggin and USA Field Hockey Board of Directors Member and Umpire Representative Jeanne O’Brien.

MIAA Associate Director Sherry Bryant will represent the state's athletic association. Malden High School Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey will also be on site.

Equipment will be provided to those who need it this weekend, though attendees are encouraged to bring shin guards and a mouthguard.

This planned event comes as USA Field Hockey looks to celebrate what it recently described as an “epic milestone” in field hockey.

Malden High School has become the first school with an all boys field hockey team sanctioned by the MIAA.

While the MIAA permits co-ed field hockey teams, the association is currently working to create a separate boys league as participation grows.

“We hope boys high school field hockey will take off in Massachusetts and that soon, many boys teams will be competing and representing their schools in interscholastic competitions,” Goggin recently said.

“The opportunity for boys in field hockey is tremendous,” Bakerman added. “Field hockey is loved by men across the globe for its athleticism, skill and fast-pace. We welcome boys to come give it a try and are confident boys of all ages will fall in love with the game.”

Contacted on Monday, Conefrey confirmed that Malden High School has formed its boys team. Without opponents elsewhere in the state, though, Malden's fall field hockey program this year continued in its co-ed format.

"Hopefully, next fall season will have more boys field hockey teams across the state," Conefrey told Patch.

He recalled a similar process eight years ago when Malden launched its boys volleyball team. Years later, that team is thriving, marching into the playoffs in this year's spring tournament for a total win-loss record of 19-1.

Boys and girls volleyball programs, Conefrey said, now combine to be one of Malden's most popular high school sports opportunities.

"With time, we believe field hockey will grow in a similar way," Conefrey said.

Those interested in registering for clinics in Malden this weekend should click here.