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USA: Conway named USFHA Men’s High Performance Coach  x52
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August 2, 2005 
US Field Hockey Association
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USFHA: USA Field Hockey’s Nick Conway will take on a new role for the sport’s National Governing Body as Men’s High Performance Coach.
In his new position, Conway will serve as coach at both the junior and senior levels in the men’s program while helping prepare the U.S. teams for international competition including the 2007 Pan American Games.
“I am delighted to be given this opportunity with the USA Men’s High Performance Program,” said Conway on his new appointment.
“This is an exciting change to work with a group of very talented athletes. We will have a very clear and determined vision of where we want to go, what we want to achieve and how we are going to achieve it.”
The move comes as part of a restructuring of the U.S. men’s program under USA Field Hockey Technical Director of High Performance Terry Walsh. In addition to Conway’s move to men’s high performance, former U.S. national coach Shiv Jagday will continue his work with younger athletes as a development coach in the field hockey-rich San Francisco Bay area.
“The USA Men’s program has had significant difficulties in achieving success on the international scene,” said Walsh. “We have to reset a structure which will enable us to have a much better contribution from different parts of the country. We must have players from regions all around the USA contributing. There is no reason why we can’t be much more successful within the Pan American region at the very least. However we must have a performance program towards which our top performers can aspire. Nick Conway is the integral link in this whole program.”
A member of the USA Field Hockey staff since 2003, Conway previously served as the women’s national team assistant coach and served as acting women’s head coach from May 2004 to March 2005. He served as head coach of the U.S. men’s junior team at the Junior Pan American Championships in February and continued to work with the women’s centralised training program in Virginia Beach in addition to growing responsibilities with the U.S. men’s program.
Among Conway’s first responsibilities will be overseeing training weekends and the preparation of a team for a tournament in Chile in December and an Under 16 series in Canada in September. Conway will also be instrumental in preparing the U.S. team in its bid to qualify for the Pan American Games in 2007. The USA men will need to qualify for the Pan Am tournament by winning a best-of-three series against a South or Central American/Caribbean team in 2006 or early 2007.
“We have been given a chance to qualify for the Pan American Games in 2007 and must be prepared to take the opportunity,” said Conway. “Equally as important is the restructure that Terry wants to bring as we move forward. We are planning to bring together representatives from seven regions around the USA and put together a model to allow us to grow as a sport in the USA. For us to develop and have a chance of bringing together a successful program, we must develop our numbers.”
“Nick has impressed me with his coaching knowledge and willingness to learn,” said Walsh who has seen and coached considerable talent in the men’s game as an Olympic medal-winning coach of Australia (2000) and The Netherlands (2004). “He has displayed amazing resilience and ability to retain consistency, confidence and direction within the overall structure of elite performance coaching in the USA.”
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Comments on this article
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Jatinder
08-03-2005 9:38 am
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Congratulations to Nick and like to know if he is going to direct his program from Moorpark or Virginia. I hope he gets the support of all, Parents and Players and wish him best. I also wish that Shiv has grat time in Bay area and develop some new players.
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Current USA Men's Player
08-03-2005 12:54 pm
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Before you speak
Before we get the usual USFHA 'bashers', let me say as someone in the know, that Nick has our full support & trust. He is exactly what the men's program needs - he is hard & demanding on the players, but is fair. He is also extremely knowledgeable about the game, so let's all SUPPORT him, let him & Terry get on with their jobs & watch the men's program grow & hopefully become much more successful!
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Mike
08-03-2005 1:50 pm
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Shiv
You cannot beat Shivs knowledge of the game....he should have been chosen
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good hire
08-03-2005 4:42 pm
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Nick
congrats Nick on a well deserved appointment
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Manny
08-03-2005 6:52 pm
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I have to chime in also. Congratulations to Nick. I know the hockey community is exited but let's make a commitment to the Men's program. It's so easy to sit on the side and be critical. Everyone should make an effort to be positive and see where that leads. I think Mr. Conway is open to suggestions. If you want to see men's hockey grow, roll up your sleeves and get to work.
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Cliff
08-04-2005 2:12 am
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Conners
Way to go Conners - all the best from Boy and the guys at your home...Teddington in England!
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Shahid
08-04-2005 12:45 pm
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If Nick is the Men's Coach, why is he spending most of his time coaching the women in Virginia Beach?
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Win21
08-04-2005 3:13 pm
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think before you write
Shahid...Nick was just appointed like....3 days ago...your comment is just idiotic.
The men are very lucky to have such a knowledgeable, passionate coach in Nick Conway. I agree with current USA Men's player...lets support Nick and the men's program in general. Let them (Nick, Terry etc) do their job and give them some time and space to make an impact. Be positive and constructive.
Best of luck to the USA Men and Nick!
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California Resident
08-05-2005 6:27 pm
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Location, Location, Location???
I am delighted with the appointment of Mr. Conway - he will straighten out some of the players who need more discipline to achieve their full potential, but i am curious as to whether he will oversee the program from Virginia (which is where, as I understand it, he currently lives) or whether he will do it from California where the vast majority of the players come from.
Whatever the case is, I am sure he will do a great job & turn things around for these boys/men!!
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northerner
08-08-2005 7:33 am
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Is this the same Nick Conway that started out as a ponytailled schoolboy at Doncaster?
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phantom
08-08-2005 11:28 pm
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great a new "coach". Don't you morons know that we need to develop 10 thousand hockey players before we can compete. its all about the development
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Great Idea Phantom Boy!
08-09-2005 1:36 pm
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OK pal, you get started on the 10,000 boys playing field hockey in the US & then give the rest of us a call once you've accomplished your goal! I won't hold my breath though!!
Yes development is needed at grass roots level, but does that mean that the US shouldn't appoint a coach for the Men's teams???!?!!?!? In other words you're suggesting having no national team....that'll get you a great start on your development project - "Hey kids, you have nothing to strive for - but come play this game with a funny stick & ball anyways"
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USFHA What a Joke
08-09-2005 3:29 pm
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The men’s program has been suffering for years. A new coach is not going to make a huge difference. Maybe a new coach is not what the program needs?
I believe the future of the men’s program is in Europe or even Canada where there is a structured men’s league to play in. Try and Biggest difference is there is a talent pool in the US for women and not men. The men’s program has a similar problem as the women’s in the fact that their basic skills are lacking and if you are talented there is no high level competition to refine your skills and play top level hockey. You will never see a strong men’s league in the US (I am sorry to say that but I believe this to be the truth). There are just too many sports to compete with.
When the men’s team was at its best a good percentage of the players were living and playing in Europe. Correct me if I am wrong but I think these players had never played in the US.
Don’t get me wrong I would love to see the men’s program flourish but I think it maybe a lost cause trying to develop the program in the US.
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What a REAL joke ....
08-09-2005 3:43 pm
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"Don’t get me wrong I would love to see the men’s program flourish but I think it maybe a lost cause trying to develop the program in the US."
That's what they said about women's soccer in 1986.
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US Player
08-09-2005 6:01 pm
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It's good to have Nick as a coach; perhaps new blood in the program will stir up the pot and take a step in the right direction.
The earlier comment on development of players is true. I think with the hockey education that Shiv left, that Nick is bringing and that terry is overseeing, we should have a lot of knowledge in the program. As this knowledge is transferred to the athletes maybe they should be responsible in helping out the development of the sport by coaching or going to schools and making sure that all that is taught to them can be passed to players at a younger age. They owe it to the sport and it's not a huge effort. Maybe somebody in USFHA can help with this?
Like Women’s soccer, there is opportunity to make this sport grow. It has been in decay for a few years in the men's side. USFHA does not target development on the men's side due to its financial returns. I think if we want to see this sport develop, I think we will have to have collective help from all sides. There are not enough Tom Harris's out there that are willing to devote a big part of their life just to see the sport flourish.
BTW, Cal cup '05 was great, its becoming a spectacle to see. If we would have had more Canadian participation, it would have been the most competitive Cal Cup ever. Hopefully they can make it next year.
Good Luck Nick!
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USFHA What a Joke
08-09-2005 11:49 pm
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Good points but women’s soccer never had to compete with football, ice hockey, baseball and basketball. Not a lot of parent would put their sons into field hockey. I think it worked in Canada because of the ethnic background of a large group of players. In the US that background of playing hockey is not there.. It would be a very tough sell.
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Jacko
08-10-2005 7:09 pm
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the Parallels of soccer and field hockey
If you looked at the development of mens soccer from the 1980's to the 90's you would have seena substantial improvement in the numbers of soccer players ( far surpassing Ice Hockey in US and more player numbers than football by the time of the World Cup in the US in 1994. Compare the US team in the 90's with the one that played in 1984 and had trouble beating Honduras and Guatemala . Fast Forward ten years and the US team beats Mexico regularly has beaten England and so forth .
To directly parallel soccers progress would be an unfair comparison but I believe that if we build field hockey up by regions from a grass roots level that we can grow the sport and get atheletes from other sports to try the game I'm not sure the ethnic background in Canada is much different from the US ethnic situation with both countries having players from the asian sub continent.
Like Manny and US Player I believe that we should give Nick all the support we can muster as the US Mens team has been on the worst slide in its history and it needs to be arrested and corrected. Rome wasn't built ( or re-built) in a day and neither will the deficiencies be rebuilt overnight. We need to have patience and and allow nick and Terry time to move things in the right direction.
Good Luck Gentlemen
Jacko
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Davo
08-10-2005 10:16 pm
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USFHA What a Joke
In Australia, hockey competes with all sports you mentioned in your above post including 4 codes of football that are all more popular with men than hockey as well as cricket. I can't think of another country with as much competition for athletes from as wide a variety of sports.
Australia has just over 10% of the population of the US and are Olympic champions. Neighbouring New Zealand has a much smaller population and is also strong. You only need a fraction of the participation rate of these two countries to build a large player base. It may be a tough sell but it is possible. Start small, build clubs, competitions and expand. Ride off the back of the women players which give hockey in the US critical mass and will help pay for turfs etc.
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USFHA What a Joke
08-11-2005 12:15 am
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Yes Australia has a great program but you are talking about college educations.
If you are an average player in any of these sports you could get some funding for college. Until the NCAA recognizes field hockey as a men’s program it will go nowhere.
It is basically a title 9/dollars and cents issue.
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N
08-11-2005 6:50 am
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Northerner
It sure is the ponytailed one. He has done rather well for himself out there!
Its a shame the rules dont allow for his pirouettes circa 1991/1992. Amazing footwork required!
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Giles Cadman
08-11-2005 3:54 pm
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amazing
well done Nick, still remember the scorcher you scored over my head, Teddington v Southagte 91
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Peter Munsing
08-11-2005 8:43 pm
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Your all correct--so let's support Nick AND work on grass roots
Having beat my head against a wall trying to get a club going with zero assistance from all the high school coaches who "just wish the boys (sic) had somehwere else to play...." I can understand some of the negative vibes. Sure, in an environment where USFHA tolerates Futures coaches and others publicly bashing boys that play the sport, where USFHA does nothing to try to stop boys being banned from coed play-- and let's not forget the forced crossdressing--the image of the sport as a "girls game" will continue to hold back participation. However, things like publicising South American teams when they play could bring in kids so far left out or underrepresented(Hispanics; African Americans) in mens as well as women's fh. I'd compare it not to soccer as much as rugby and rowing, both of which have grown through the grass roots and also developed through solid coaching. Yes, rowing has some funding but ask any rower living in poverty beteween olympics what financial rewards they are reaping--they aren't that different from hockey players. But while we wait for grass roots development let's have good coaches and let's support them. So get out there and lobby USFHA to take a stand supporting boys in the sport. Who knows--one day there could be more than 3 pictures of men/boys playing fh in the News! Perhpas Nick can split his time between the East and West coasts. And those who talk about grassroots development can work on the vast fh club free spaces in between! And let's have clinics to raise the level of club play, and have an active placement program helping US athletes go overseas AND helping them return for team play.
Let it be a good day for all of us, working together.
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true colors
08-12-2005 1:56 am
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its ok, its evident what shiv has done. He has left a lasting impression wherever he coaches.
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Quasy
08-12-2005 10:44 am
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Is Nick going to bring in a few qualified coaches to help him with this tough project? if so who in the US is qualified enough and wants to put in their time to a program that will fail?
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Tough sell
08-12-2005 11:28 am
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When you think about your experience in sports and education as a child, you most likely tended to flock more towards the sports you could play consistently. Maybe even daily. Field hockey needs to adopt the euro club system in order to start the grass roots stage.
There are many college fields in locations that could be ideal for a stronger club system to be implemented. Problem is, there is not a lot of people (qualified) coaches to work on a volunteer level in order to make this happen. That is obvious when we have players now playing on "elite" club teams and paying a lot of money for these teams. Maybe I'm thinking only of my situation, but money did not grow on trees when I was young, so we are losing the blue collared kids in the process of trying to attach the word "elite" to our sport.
However, suggestions are always nice. There are many people in the US who would give back if asked. The problem is, there always seems to be a hidden agenda when asked, and with the USFHA. Most importantly, as field hockey evolves, we need to be open minded to once again becoming students of the sport.
I agree with USFHA what a Joke, that it is a tough sell. Many of the men who played in the 90's got involved with the sport through the countless volunteer hours of a few adult males. Yes it can be done, but it's got to come from the top down, and it's got to come without so many rules, guidlines and road blocks.
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Lloyd
08-12-2005 12:11 pm
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Mens hockey and cricket in the USA
Washington DC
1980 - 8 mens hockey teams / 15 cricket teams in the Washington Cricket League
2005 - 1 mens hockey team / 48 cricket teams in theWashington Cricket League
NY
1980 - 15 mens hockey teams/ 50 cricket teams
2005 - 30 maybe / 300 cricket teams
Miami
1980 - 0 mens field hockey teams / 20 cricket teams
2005 - 0 mens field hockey teams / 100 cricket teams
Cricket isn't played in high schools, yet it has seen tremendous growth.
Field hockey is funded by USFHA.
Cricket is funded by players.
I played field hockey as an offseason sport for cricket. Many of the cricketers
in the Washington DC area played in the Washington Cricket League and the
Washington Field Hockey Association. They fed off of each other.
Field hockey cannot feed from the handful of US born field hockey players.
It has to feed from the passions of those who grew up playing the sport.
Cities with major foreign born populations have to be the focal group.
We had cricket teams started from UMD, Hopkins, UMBC and Towson, George Mason
because they knew that there was a league.
League have to be formed in Miami, Chicago and DC for hockey to have a resurgence.
Hockey has to go back to it's roots. Better to have a league on sports turf, than
no league.
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Peter Munsing
08-12-2005 7:05 pm
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GRowing from imports?
Lloyd is correct, but the question must be asked, of the teams which have immigrant players how many of their sons enter the game? There lies the tale of some of the problems attracting young men. The second generation has few outlets.
As to college fields, absolutely right--but try getting access! GFHA in Atlanta is one of the few clubs that can consistently, and Minutemen in Boston. But no one yet has 4 -5 days a week practice fields which is what is needed, and I can't see a college ceding that space during the school year to a non-school sport. USFHA and perhaps turf manufacutrers need to come up with some seed money "bank" to help clubs set up turf fields.
Another query for LLoyd--with all these lads playing cricket, what do they do in their off season? Why aren't they playing hockey? That may also tell a tale.
And that's in a town with OK public trans. Imagine in the great wilds of exurbia what it's like trying to get young guys who need parental rides together. That's the big problem compared with places like Germany where from the year dot zoning /land use planning is geared to concentrating people which makes it easy to have even non-driving kids get to 5 day a week practices at clubs.
But it's not insoluble. So let's not look at the glass as half empty. It's 1/20th full!
So let's keep chipping away and let's try to be as positive as we can. We can concentrate on how bad things are and depress ourselves or say, OK, it bites, so what do we do about it and all do something.
Good luck to all!
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The Future is now!
08-13-2005 7:27 pm
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An old Washington Redskins coach saying was " The Future is now!"
Soccer tried growing players. Did it help the MLS/NASL/WSL?
What helped soccer was qualifying for the World Cup final.
Who goes to soccer games and are rabid fans? Foreign born Americans.
USA Vs Jamaica at RFK. Green and gold all over ths stands. Bruce Arena was hanging outside the stadium, and I'm sure he said to himself, when I become the
USA Coach, we won't be playing Jamaica at RFK, we'll be playing in New England,
where only the Jamaica Bobsled team will be able to survive.
USA Soccer team made an impact in the World Cup with Ernie Stewart, Tom
Dooley and scores of Americans who couldn't speak English too well, and had never
set foot on the mothership.
USA Hockey has to do like their soccer compatriots and start scouring the globe for
hockey players with US ties. Qualify for the olympic games and bring attention.
Final point:
Allan Iverson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and scores of basketball players
honed their skill on blacktop in public playgrounds and with milk cartons as hoops.
Pele used coconuts to practice with.
Over 100,000 girls/women will be starting their season next week on grass and
other wicky wacky fields. I don't hear them complaining that they need turf fields.
So, maybe someone can explain to me , why the 100 men that play hockey in the USA need turf fields?
I have lived in the DC area for 30 years. Nick Conway has lived around here
for a long time. Never met him at any hockey event.
So, let me know how he is going to lead us to the promised land, and he is invisible in the hockey community?
Best of luck to the boys from down under. The last olympic gold medal
coach from Aussieland, lasted 1 season coaching the Washington Mystics in the
WNBA, before he was shown the door.
He carried home a lot of US Dollars, though!!
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If the Future Is now, When's The Present?!?!
08-14-2005 10:47 am
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Understand something buddy. Yes, what helped soccer was that they qualified for the World Cup. But then there are 32 TEAMS in the soccer world cup, and only 12 in the hockey world cup & olympics. 3 TEAMS qualify for the soccer world cup from north America & the Carribean (where there are no world-class teams for the USA to compete against), so it is reasonably easy for the USA to qualify. If this was the same for hockey, then I would feel fairly confident that the guys playing could do the same! But it is not. For the USA to qualify for any world event, they must compete with all of the teams from North & South America & the Carribean and then only ONE team qualifies, which happens to ALWAYS be Argentina (& yes, their jnrs. did just win the jnr. World Cup so their future looks bright!!). If the USA soccer team had to compete against Brazil, Argentina & the rest of the South Americans & only one team qualified I don't think we'd have been seeing them make it to the quarter-finals in the 2002 World Cup - they'd have been watching it on their couches like the rest of us!!!
Oh, & also there is another difference between the two sports: MONEY!!!! American International soccer players can go to play in Europe & make between $10,000-$70,000 A WEEK!!!!! (USA Captain Claudia Reyna makes that much playing for Manchester City in England) Or they can stay in America & still make very good money. If this was the same for hockey, I'm sure you would see a dramatic increase in participation of the sport in this county.
So PLEASE, no more comparisons between hockey & soccer - they are completely different! The only similarity is that Americans don't care about either of them!!!
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Tom Marr
08-14-2005 5:21 pm
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Future Is Now
Tom Marr coached the Australian women's basketball team to the silver medal in 2000. He took a 14th? ranked NZ Team to 7th in Athens and has just been signed by China Women as there Olympic Coach. Facts right. Also Terry Walsh coached Australia to bronze in 2000, Holland to silver in 2004. What is your point??
That the USA doen't value good coaching??
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interested
08-15-2005 2:22 am
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comparisons????
Terry Walsh didn't coach the mens team to Bronze! The team were ranked 3rd going in, and they stayed there, the dutch team were ranked No 1 and finished second, although he did have little time.
Terry is using his positions as coach to introduce the new computer software program he is selling! Alongside that he is able to do something he enjoys. Terry has had many coaching stints never really producing the goods. What Tom Marr has achieved is more that what Terry has so please don't compare the 2.
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Al Mattei
08-15-2005 5:29 pm
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Tom Maher, not Marr
He also lasted exactly one season in the WNBA, where he took the Washington Mystics to a 10-22 record.
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Tip
08-18-2005 12:49 pm
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The future
Lot's of positive work happening the in the US men's area so Terry and Nick keep it up. My believe is that we will become stronger by doing what many of the European nations already have, deep league systems. For the East coast having the camp at Virgina Beach does not help, all the players are located between Boston and DC. We need something in the middle to get more player participation. So keep it up, and help us get a decent field!
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Raj
08-18-2005 3:29 pm
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I would like to now what top coaches will be helpin Nick on this journey?
I can think of maybe 3-4 top Mens coacehes that might assist, any thoughts from anyone who should help him?
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Peter Munsing
08-18-2005 10:21 pm
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Soccer grew organically in the burbs and elsewhere/Nick RUthere?
I think those of us who have a bit of grey can remember when Pele came. It energized soccer, but then it fizzled. What got it going was lots of youth soccer, then girls soccer, THEN the US women's team etc. If the US women didn't have the base they wouldn't have had the team--I don't think Ms Chastain et al were even first generation.
However, now soccer is here we have to compete against it. It's tougher, especially with the dead weight of it being thought of as a "girls sport."
Hey, "future is now" and other male coaches of girls--done anything recently to open the sport to younger guys? Don't be surprised then if your sons/nephews don't play.
-----or are you leaving it up to the Mavs and Coah K in Baltimore to do the heavy lifting?
When they try to ban boys from HS sports to you stand up for them or are you a "future is later " guy when that comes down?
As to why artificial turf, it helps the adult club game get up to international speed so that hopefully we will eventually be competitive. Sure, there are lots of clubs that play on grass--most in fact. Seems I recall reading somewhere on this website more than a few jabs at US playing level--doesn't look like all those grass fields have helped the girls, whether they don't complain or not.
So rather than knock Nick Conway, maybe tell him what you think needs be done--a positive suggestion. Speaking of which, friends of Nick, why don't you invite him to participate in this forum, and speak for himself? Nick, are you out there?
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Shahid
08-19-2005 3:14 pm
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Coaching by Proxy
The U.S. Women's Coach is in Australia. The U.S. Men's Coach is coaching the Women and will not be able to make a commitment to the Men's Program until June.
However, this may be a the wave of the future where coaches email their programs and the USFHA emails them their checks. With this system, there is no reason a coach could not direct the teams of several countries. Like so many of the jobs in the U.S., these could be sent off-shore.
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lloyd
08-19-2005 7:22 pm
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The Futures is now - Da plan for da Aussies and Nic
Drop the focus on high schools for the time being. The perception that hockey is a girls sissie sport stops boys from participating, other than a very limited scale.
So, the question is where do we find mens players in their prime.
The answer is major colleges. These major colleges also have major turf fields which
are available for use by students at the school for intramurals.
Major colleges have a varsity team of girls. They also have, note carefully,
club hockey for the rank and file at the school. Use that forum to develop
a mens college club 7-a-side team at each university.
Believe it or not, a college in the USA decided to host an annual College Cricket national championship. Next thing you know 5 colleges showed up the first year. It grew after that.
When these cricketers graduated, they continued their clubs and formed leagues.
Organise a college mens 7-aside intramural/club championship to start off.
Use UMD rec field to start off. The student council at each university will
make sure that you are allowed to use the fields.
Start with the ACC 7-a-side Mens Club Championship.
Then wait on the seed to germinate!!
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Manny
08-21-2005 6:49 pm
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All I ever here is what should be done to help mens hockey and I never have heard what someone is actually doing. The solution to all the problems are found with those willing to do the work and not the ones who complain. Manny will soon give news of his efforts. stay focused and learn.
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Peter Munsing
08-21-2005 9:01 pm
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College clubs a good idea but need townie support
Having seen college clubs in other sports come and go, the idea of centering a sport around college clubs seems to me good but you also need regular club field access (it also suggests that stickhandling is something to be picked up in a nonce--no offence, but cricket isn't fh, and fh requires greater skills {yes, I played cricket, before any other sport}). Here's the problem with college club sports--unless you have a grad student or professor who are the organizer, the moment the organizer graduates the club usually sputters, fizzles, and dies. Also, look at California where the college clubs all want to go girls only for competition.
Certainly, USFHA could do more to support clubs--and townie clubs could help by making sure clubs are included on mailings, etc. However, even college clubs only practice once or twice a week. When my son played in Germany he practiced 5 days a week with games on the 6th. Big difference.
I wish we could "forget the high schools. " However, we are a high school based sports society--soccer, track, swimming--all the action --and practice time--is in HS. How many swimmers live within distance of a great swim club that caters to youth swimming?
Ouside of Mission Viejo and a couple of others, none. Same for track. So it is for FH--even if kids live in DC, if they want more than one day a week practice it's HS or nothing. And unfortunately, stick time does need to be had.
There's nothing better the FH establishment would like than for HS sports to be gender cleansed. But that won't help men--and in a way girls, who could benefit from a bit of higher level competition. Coed youth practice doesnt seem to hurt other countries--even our adult teams have coed practices. So please the USFHA establishment if yoiu wish--but that won't be a near term or long term solution for the sport.
How do those people stay awake playing--and watching--cricket?
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lloyd
08-22-2005 10:16 am
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Future is now - more on mens college club
When I was at Howard U, we formed a mens and womens caribbean team. We had about
20 women and 15 men. Some of them moved to NY and ended up with the Islanders.
The now defunct Washington FHL said they didn't have space for us.
Since we had no avenues for competitive play, we got bored playing each other
and the team fizzled. Several of us were welcomed with open arms by the
cricket league and players like myself, ended up becoming President of the
cricket league and watching it grow from 10 teams to 50 in 2005.
I found the WFHL league was filled with self absorbed administrators who were
afraid of getting new players around, so that they could retain their spot on the
US National team.
That's probably why US Mens hockey is where it is.
Anyway, back to the task at hand!
We can ask local 'Townie' teams to notify these teams about tournaments etc.
In return, the local teams get some practice time on the college turf fields, while
they are coaching the college mens players.
The varsity college team gets a good mens team to practice against to strengthen their
game with regular scrimmages on campus.
The local teams get fresh blood to strengthen their NAPL efforts.
The college teams will probably end up with cores of players whose origins are
predominantly India and Pakistan.
Former Lacrosse players will try their hand at the sport.
High schools and colleges are looking in the direction of Lacrosse, as their sport of the future. That's why field hockey has a very longgggg shot of ever being a varsity sport.
Approximately, 8 years ago, I spoke to the AD at Howard U about adding field hockey to the varsity sports list. He said that college ADs' view Lacrosse as the happening sport of the future. It is an American born sport.
Howard has since added womens Lacrosse and I think mens Lacrosse to their varsity sports.
Cricket is an acquired taste!!
Sports is about camaraderie. Cricket lends itself to this, because of the fact
that it's 8 hours long.
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USA Fan
08-25-2005 11:13 am
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USA Players??
I understand that there was a training weekend with Nick last week - can any of the players give their views on what hppened/is being planned for the program? After all, we can talk all we like, but you guys are the ones that matter now!!
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Go east for a change
08-28-2005 11:30 am
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How long will the men's program team come from ONE county in CA? The grand expierment has not work and it is time for the a change for the better. the old saying say if it's broke...then fix it
when will this change? I hope the "so called" powers in charge are reading and listening but I highly doubt it. start men's/boys development in other region or the same results will occur
these new regions need the same funding that ventura county get in term of
Good luck to Nick!!!
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USA Fan
08-28-2005 4:48 pm
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Hotel California
Answer to your question: for as long as the best players continue to come from & live in ONE county in CA!!!
What would be the point of moving to the East coast when all the best players live, work and go to school in the Moorpark area?
As for the old saying - yes it is/was broke, I believe the appointment of Nick Conway is the attempt to FIX it!! But it would be good to hear from some people in the know about his actual plans HOW he is going to fix it & what the program is for the players who have not played competitive games for over a year (shame on you USFHA!!!)
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Tom Harris
08-28-2005 7:28 pm
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Hockey Center
Everyone agrees that it would be well to have more hockey development centers in addition to Ventura County.
I would be happy to work with anyone to show them how to build one. It requires the work of about four or five individuals.
I hope you won't be disillusioned but the "so called" powers in charge have had little to do with the development of hockey for boys and men in Southern California or any place else. There is and has been very little financial assistance.
It would greatly help the So Cal hockey if there was another area that could develop a rivalry.
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wait....
08-29-2005 9:30 am
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correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't USFHA support via $$$ to field in Moorpark? I would consider this financial support would you?
to say the the BEST player is a live in the county is silly. it clear you are "blind" to the rest of the Nation.......
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old timer
08-29-2005 4:34 pm
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to wait....
no USFHA money goes to the field in Moorpark....it would be nice of it did since the Southern California Field Hockey Federation is looking to raise $750,000 to replace the current field. The SCFHF doesn't even charge the USFHA an hourly rate for the use of the field when the men's program uses it.
Why not send in a check for the new field Mr. or Ms. Wait?....you'd feel better if you contributed something more than an ignorant comment.
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USA Fan
08-29-2005 6:59 pm
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No I won't wait!
Although hard to understand because of your terrible English, I THINK you are trying to say there is an American better than Pat Harris. Hmmmm....Doubtful!!
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Tom Harris
08-29-2005 9:16 pm
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Hockey Center
Since it was built in 1994, the hockey facility at Moorpark College has been available to USFHA activities at no cost to all of the Men's National Teams activities. For the local leagues, both adult and juniors, the FHF charges $85 per hour for field time. It would seem that the local federation is supporting the national organization and not the other way around.
As stated previously, I will be happy to help anyone develop a facility. All it takes is a lot of work. The money can be found if the plan is in place.
Let me know. I can come visit you at my own expense. All I ask is that you have four enthusiastic and talented people who are ready to work at least five hours a week for no pay for the next year.
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Another USA Fan
08-31-2005 10:08 am
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Tom Harris
It's such a shame there are not more Tom Harris' in this country....we would definitely be much better off if there were!! There desperately needs to be more 'Moorparks' if we are going to improve
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Wansbo
08-31-2005 5:20 pm
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Wait/Cloning Tom Harris
I hear that Mr Harris will be in his 70th year in 2006 and California Cup will be celebrating its 35th anniversary. It should be required reading for any potential organiser to understand how grass roots hockey started in Ventura County and how a small group of dedicated people continue to keep the dream alive year after year.
There are over 700 hockey participants who play Sat/Sunday in the Spring and Sunday in the fall . There are coaches for kids team from U-8 to U-18 and older. There is an Exec committee that represents all participants and commissioners from each club that help to administer the League. There is a seperate committee that manages and runs California Cup year after year and even though the faces may change the quality is maintained by more dedicated people.
The League was played on grass for over 20 years until the astroturf was built in 1994 and the League has substantial savings to go towards the new turf field and improvements. USFHA has not funded Moorpark one Iota and continues to contribute little to the financial future of Mens hockey in the US ..as such Field Hockey Federation relies upon itself for fund raising .
Tom is offering over 35 years on experience as to what works and what doesnt..it is an invaluable offer and should be taken up as soon as possible before the ravages of Alzheimers and Alcohol completely ruin the man. We need to clone Tom Harris ..now before there is more cellular degeneration..suggest we take cell samples when he is asleep at Roundtable Pizza.
Yours with Serious Levity
Wansbo
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t Lewis
08-31-2005 6:53 pm
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Funding of Moore Park
All credit to the folks who run Moore Park, but lets be honest, the funds to install the turf came from the men's foundation. The field is severely worn and needs to be replaced and the money is not there to make it happen. Maybe the Men's foundation will help, but short of that, it seems unlikely there will be a new turf in Moore Park anytime soon.
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Peter Munsing
08-31-2005 9:26 pm
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Some good ideas--how about an article Tom?
Tom could perhaps write an article (with a sidebar by Lloyd) on problems starting teams, keeping them going, etc. If FH News won't print it would PFH?
A few thoughts--first, I'm glad Tom and company cleared the air. They didn't get gobs of money, and the sooner men--and the sport in general--adopt an attitude of self sufficiency instead of a suspicious hope that bags on non existent cash will descend from Colorado Springs the better.
First, let's think of several options for clubs to acquire property and or turf. Perhaps some type of "bank" with repayment funding other loans, similar to the micro loans in third world countries (and in field hockey terms, we are third world in many ways).
Second (or tied for first) let's come up with a guide for club organizers. Help them avoid reinventing the wheel.
Let's also recognize that hispanic and African American populations are underrepresented, and consider nagging the manufacturers to sponsor mens teams to give exhibitions against regional clubs/local clubs. If enough guys see real guys playing, if boys see guys playing, if we can have a side by side video showing how exciting and fast moving hockey is compared with soccer, then we can sell the sport against soccer.
Let's also all try to get USFHA to take a position against ridiculous things forcing guys to wear the skirt for high school play. It's not a national rule, it's a warped interpretation of the phrase "similarly attired." (that interpretation, applied to swimming, would have male swimmers weariing bikinis). These rules are often enforced by male refs--maybe male refs could tell the coaches, no, we won't do this. Let's have the FIH declare it a violation of human rights--in any other forum crossdressing kids would be beyond the pale. Let's stand up for the lads in high school instead of wimp out and rationalize collapsing (especially those who spout off on this site about the level of hockey--let's see some courage on a personal level equal to that of the high schoolers and junior high boy players who do what few others would have the courage to do. If you stand by silently while a kid is put in a position of ridicule for your sport what does that make you? Think about it and do something, yourself, don't rationalize why you should be silent and it's all someone else's problem.
Help colleges to see the win-win Lloyd suggests by opening up fields and also getting rid of the concern that NCAA rules won't let women practice against men. (again, a crabbed interpretation of a generally stated phrase).
Let's set up some type of web based bulletin board to help clubs form by letting individuals know where other players are. Right now, if you get transferred to, e.g., Nebraska, you don't have any way of knowing if anyone else there plays. Nor do clubs have a way of seeking out players, and newbies are often worried about seeming klutzy in front of all the dashing fh players (if only they knew).
All of you must have more--and better--ideas. Let's hear them. Good luck to all playing in Labour Day tourneys. Drive safe!
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