Field Hockey is a fall sport played with a field hockey stick, shin guards, goggles, and mouth guards. There are 11 players on the field, including a goal keeper. Field players may only use their stick to play the ball, and the goal keeper is the only player who may use their stick, feet, and kickers to deflect or propel the ball.

Merrimack Valley High School and Proctor Academy have Junior Varsity and Varsity Field Hockey programs that many Andover players have participated in. Andover youth can play in the Merrimack Valley Youth league that begins on August 30 and runs through mid-October.

Participating in youth or high school sports is not just about playing the sport; there are many life lessons to be learned. Playing as a team, particularly at difficult times, will carry a person through school projects and the working world. Knowing what it feels like to lose is also a valuable life skill, as handling loss with dignity and sportsmanship is critical to success in other aspects of life.

Hard work is also important. Dedication and commitment will carry over into other aspects of our daily lives. Most coaches respect hard work and “coach-ability” in a player. The benefits of being a “well-rounded athlete” will lead to success in our adult lives.

Merrimack Valley’s High School Varsity Coach Kimberly Cheney-Kenney (MVHS 1984) has been coaching Field Hockey for 26 years (entering her 21st year as the MVHS Varsity Coach this season). Coach Kenney strives to teach life lessons for athletes participating in the MVHS Field Hockey program. “Over the years, we have created a program that not only teaches the game of Field Hockey, but also our program’s culture exemplifies good sportsmanship and players giving back to  the community. In addition, our Field Hockey athletes, from youth to alumni, feel like they are part of a big family.”

Andover resident Jill Jones Grotnes played field hockey at MVHS (’97) and at New England College (’01). Coach Jones has coached at the high school and collegiate level during the last eight to ten years and will be the Assistant Coach of the Varsity Field Hockey program at Proctor Academy this fall. Proctor hopes to involve Andover youth in growing the game.

While at MVHS, Coach Jones played for Coach Kenney. Coach Jones reports her only regret is that “I did not get to play field hockey sooner than high school. I fell in love with the game while playing for Coach Kenney and have not wanted to stop playing field hockey since!”

Any player entering third through sixth grade who is interested in playing field hockey in the fall can now sign up at the Penacook Community Center. The cost of the program is $35 dollars (which includes a team t-shirt).

The season will begin on Sunday, August 30, and end on Sunday, October 18. Practices and games will be held on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 PM and on Sundays from 3 to 4:30 PM at the Merrimack Valley field hockey field.   If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jen at 978-726-1135 or Katherine Stearns at KBStearns@nullme.com.

Registration form is available at AndoverBeacon.com/Field-Hockey-Signup-2015.