Field hockey clubs feedback

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This was the RCCs for region 7 (I think that's the right one).

Region 8 also played in VA Beach. Husel placed pretty well this year in both U14 and U16, considering they play against some powerhouse VA Beach and Richmond Teams and are a pretty small club. Metro did really well, too. Hammers finished at the back of the pack, at least for U16. Mustangs and Nova Extreme didn't place well, either. (Those clubs have some strong suits, though, imo, beyond "wins v. losses.")

The top team (FOCUS) is a HUGE club with multiple club locations and they get to pick/choose the best players for their RCC Team. They won it all. The Nova teams just don't have that same ability, unfortunately.

As for recruitment, I won't say who we play for but they have not helped with recruiting at all. Though I get the sense (hear the gossip) that some of the players get help/promoted. It's extremely frustrating. We've considered other options but we are too far along at this point and think it would not be a positive reflection if we did.

It’s never too late to change clubs. I know of plenty of girls who changed clubs in their Junior or Senior year and went on the play in college, at least 1 played at a D1 college.

If you hear the gossip, it’s true. One of the clubs you mentioned lost a ton of girls recently and I don’t think any of those who left regret it. They went to a couple of different clubs and wish they made the jump sooner.

When you are inside the club it’s really hard to see all the issues (or maybe believe them). Once you are outside, it’s much more clear.

Oh trust me, I absolutely believe it. But . . . it's complicated.

I would encourage you to leave. There was just a question asked on the Field Hockey Discussion forum on Facebook about switching clubs after a player commits (specifically because of mental health) and all the respondents said to switch. A couple were from college coaches and they agreed with switching.

DD beyond frustrated with current team. Current DMV team doesn’t give playing time to non committed D1 players so it’s mentally taxing being on a team that you are just paying to sit on the bench or according to the coach it’s all a learning opportunity to be on the sidelines watching (I can get that when it’s a local tournament but when requiring the player to travel especially when there is significant travel expenses to the tournaments and not play is cruel. Coach brings a roster of 18-20 and only plays 13 players: 11 starters and two subs for 10-15 min; rest are bench warmers/bill payers). DD mental health is in the toilet. The club talks about players mental health as a focus but it’s all hype. DD needs to leave the club but is too afraid to because of all the time and relationships DD has built but seeing how the coach just breaks DD down mentally is too much now. I know I should have pulled the trigger earlier in pulling DD out but I was also enamored by the hype of D1 or top D3 playing. Beware of these types of clubs that show love on Instagram for their players and the coaches are very superficial friendly and talk about mental health and well being and growing the game. I should have noticed the trickle of players switching from the club from u14 and u16 and even some u19 but I didn’t. There are always warning signs. Look out for them.

Update - DD decided to leave the team and prioritize her mental health after thinking everything through (DD had been thinking about this for the past few weeks). DD informed the coach this morning that she is leaving the team and why. Proud of DD. It was a challenging decision but her mood is so much lighter. DD decided she will do local field hockey clinics instead because she loves the sport. To the poster that encouraged putting individual mental health over the team longevity, thank you. Playing a team sport does not need to be toxic.

What an awful situation for your daughter. I'm glad she left.

What club was this?

All of them to some degree with the likely exception of Mustangs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

I have to disagree with this. We have had a very positive experience with Wolves.

DD gets along well with the coaches and feels comfortable talking with them about games and asking questions about skills. Practices are strong and everyone does the same skills together. There are always multiple coaches at practice. Communication is good. DD has not mentioned coaches talking about players (we experienced this at another club and she reported it to us, so I know she understands what this is).

This past weekend, everyone on DDs team played a good amount. Not everyone played the same amount, but that is impossible. No one played 10 minutes or less. Players were rotated multiple times throughout the game. This is the same as the other tournaments DD has played with Wolves.

For us, Wolves is so much better than our old club for the reasons listed above and many more.

Every club loses players each season. That is normal. Talk to the coaches, send your daughter to a tryout, watch the team at games to gain a sense of whether or not the club is a good fit for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

Echo this. The coach is a pro at gaslighting players

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

This is a hard number of players to have. Do you want her to cut kids who have played with her for multiple years?

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, but not everyone has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This weekend was the regional club championships and teams from MD and DE compete. Based on the level of play, the top clubs in the local DMV commuting area are Freedom and Warhawks. Watching these teams play in all three levels, there is no comparison on the stellar coaching and athletic ability of the teams. These clubs seem to focus on the fundamentals, conditioning and field IQ. The ball is glued to their stick, they understand passing lanes, and their speed on and off the ball is very strong. Also, the coaches clearly coached constructively on the sidelines. Other teams in the commuting area don’t compare to these 2 clubs. The one thing I noticed was Washington Wolves carried a large roster with atleast 7 plus players warming the bench in each age bracket. I heard numerous parents frustrated about this. The other clubs seemed reasonable with 2-3 active subs and no bench players. If Freedom or Warhawks is too far, one clear up and coming team looks like Next Level’s younger u14 age group as their roster size was not large giving all players the ability to participate and develop and the coaching was clear during the game on how to adjust.

This was the RCCs for region 7 (I think that's the right one).

Region 8 also played in VA Beach. Husel placed pretty well this year in both U14 and U16, considering they play against some powerhouse VA Beach and Richmond Teams and are a pretty small club. Metro did really well, too. Hammers finished at the back of the pack, at least for U16. Mustangs and Nova Extreme didn't place well, either. (Those clubs have some strong suits, though, imo, beyond "wins v. losses.")

The top team (FOCUS) is a HUGE club with multiple club locations and they get to pick/choose the best players for their RCC Team. They won it all. The Nova teams just don't have that same ability, unfortunately.

As for recruitment, I won't say who we play for but they have not helped with recruiting at all. Though I get the sense (hear the gossip) that some of the players get help/promoted. It's extremely frustrating. We've considered other options but we are too far along at this point and think it would not be a positive reflection if we did.

It’s never too late to change clubs. I know of plenty of girls who changed clubs in their Junior or Senior year and went on the play in college, at least 1 played at a D1 college.

If you hear the gossip, it’s true. One of the clubs you mentioned lost a ton of girls recently and I don’t think any of those who left regret it. They went to a couple of different clubs and wish they made the jump sooner.

When you are inside the club it’s really hard to see all the issues (or maybe believe them). Once you are outside, it’s much more clear.

Oh trust me, I absolutely believe it. But . . . it's complicated.

I would encourage you to leave. There was just a question asked on the Field Hockey Discussion forum on Facebook about switching clubs after a player commits (specifically because of mental health) and all the respondents said to switch. A couple were from college coaches and they agreed with switching.

DD beyond frustrated with current team. Current DMV team doesn’t give playing time to non committed D1 players so it’s mentally taxing being on a team that you are just paying to sit on the bench or according to the coach it’s all a learning opportunity to be on the sidelines watching (I can get that when it’s a local tournament but when requiring the player to travel especially when there is significant travel expenses to the tournaments and not play is cruel. Coach brings a roster of 18-20 and only plays 13 players: 11 starters and two subs for 10-15 min; rest are bench warmers/bill payers). DD mental health is in the toilet. The club talks about players mental health as a focus but it’s all hype. DD needs to leave the club but is too afraid to because of all the time and relationships DD has built but seeing how the coach just breaks DD down mentally is too much now. I know I should have pulled the trigger earlier in pulling DD out but I was also enamored by the hype of D1 or top D3 playing. Beware of these types of clubs that show love on Instagram for their players and the coaches are very superficial friendly and talk about mental health and well being and growing the game. I should have noticed the trickle of players switching from the club from u14 and u16 and even some u19 but I didn’t. There are always warning signs. Look out for them.

Update - DD decided to leave the team and prioritize her mental health after thinking everything through (DD had been thinking about this for the past few weeks). DD informed the coach this morning that she is leaving the team and why. Proud of DD. It was a challenging decision but her mood is so much lighter. DD decided she will do local field hockey clinics instead because she loves the sport. To the poster that encouraged putting individual mental health over the team longevity, thank you. Playing a team sport does not need to be toxic.

What an awful situation for your daughter. I'm glad she left.

What club was this?

All of them to some degree with the likely exception of Mustangs.

Agree all clubs have their issues. Some are worse than others. Find your fit. Mustangs has issues, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

This is a hard number of players to have. Do you want her to cut kids who have played with her for multiple years?

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, but not everyone has.

I would expect them to have 2 outdoor teams and not 1 outdoor team for the price tag and 3 indoor teams and not 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a new club FH parent, it would be great if you all named names so that I could figure out if DDs team has a problematic reputation . This discussion has been eye opening….

Husel, stay away

Washington Wolves too

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

This is a hard number of players to have. Do you want her to cut kids who have played with her for multiple years?

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, but not everyone has.

I would expect them to have 2 outdoor teams and not 1 outdoor team for the price tag and 3 indoor teams and not 2.

Me too. Coaches make this kind of adjustment depending on how many players they have at each age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

They do essentially have two outdoor teams. They are sending one team to Disney and a separate one to Winter Escape. And no club can have more than one roster for RCC so it doesn't really matter does it?

You clearly have an axe to grind with your past experience but it isn't everyone's. The vast majority of that roster has been with the club for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

All of them to some degree with the likely exception of Mustangs.

With Mustangs, you can expect them to be so disorganized, they don't register in time for tournaments. Playing time in a tournament you aren't going to is a non issue!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

They do essentially have two outdoor teams. They are sending one team to Disney and a separate one to Winter Escape. And no club can have more than one roster for RCC so it doesn't really matter does it?

You clearly have an axe to grind with your past experience but it isn't everyone's. The vast majority of that roster has been with the club for years.

Well, if your DD is getting all the playing time for years then of course you will be happy. But what about those many girls that were lured into the club under false pretenses that they will play at national tournaments and get a lot of playing time but it did not happen? Is that fair to them? How are they able to improve if they are not playing? Before joining any club, and especially this one, make sure you are very clear on your expectations with coach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s see how Washington Wolves does when their u19 is 28 players and 1 outdoor team and 2 indoor teams. I assume it will just get worse on playing time for so many players or not going to tournaments but paying the large price tag to be on the club.

https://www.wolvesfieldhockey.com/wordpress/u19-team/

They do essentially have two outdoor teams. They are sending one team to Disney and a separate one to Winter Escape. And no club can have more than one roster for RCC so it doesn't really matter does it?

You clearly have an axe to grind with your past experience but it isn't everyone's. The vast majority of that roster has been with the club for years.

And in the spring, they send one team to Shooting Stars Easter and the other to Jamboree. I don't think they have the problem you think they have. Are you a disgruntled former parent or another club? There is so much misinformation and shade in this thread. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

No axe to grind. Stating what we have experienced. They may send teams to different events but the same core players play the majority of the time in all the tournaments mentioned with a scattering of different sideline lined players sitting on the bench playing a few minutes here an there. I think Winter Escape is new. It would be different if they were really different teams or rosters to make sure all players are developing. That’s not the case. The core team attends these tournaments with the rest of the maximum roster being filled by the others to check the box that the club fulfilled its duty. If people are looking at the club, just be aware if your DD can’t break into the core team, you are wasting money and time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No axe to grind. Stating what we have experienced. They may send teams to different events but the same core players play the majority of the time in all the tournaments mentioned with a scattering of different sideline lined players sitting on the bench playing a few minutes here an there. I think Winter Escape is new. It would be different if they were really different teams or rosters to make sure all players are developing. That’s not the case. The core team attends these tournaments with the rest of the maximum roster being filled by the others to check the box that the club fulfilled its duty. If people are looking at the club, just be aware if your DD can’t break into the core team, you are wasting money and time.

NP. New girls come all the time and “break into the core team.” DD came from another club and our experience has been great. Haven’t seen any of the issues you are raising. And, no, my kid does not play the entire game. She rotates in with all the other players.