Hey, OP, hope you're still around. I saw just now on the Moms on the Hill listserve that Sports on the Hill has a co-ed field hockey program for kids that is starting September 8th. See this website:

http://sportsonthehill.com/

Sorry, around here it's mostly a girls sport. Inline skating might be a good alternative.

Might he be interested in hurling instead? Its a similar set of skills and might be considered "cooler" among boys. The Washington DC Gaels have adult teams and may offer youth groups too. I though I remembered seeing a camp flyer for some hurling, camogie and Gaelic football youth sessions.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah. It's not popular for boys around here.

Maybe so but check out that DC Dragons website. Lots of good looking manly guys playing it. Also if you watch field hockey on tv you'll see it is a tough, exciting sport.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't exist because it's not a boys sport.

Actually, it is traditonally a men's sport in other parts of the world.

Yes, women's field hockey was included in the Olympics only starting in 1980. Men had been playing in the Olympics for decades before. I went to Montreal in 1976 and watched (as I recall) the Indian men play Pakistan.

Yeah. It's not popular for boys around here.

Why would you subject your son to such ridicule?

oh, and Canada too..

Anonymous wrote:They don't exist because it's not a boys sport.

It's huge in the Caribbean, India, SA, and some parts of Europe. Have him switch to ice, way more fun, but prepared to spend $$$..lol

yes in south africa it is a men's sport

Anonymous wrote:They don't exist because it's not a boys sport.

Actually, it is traditonally a men's sport in other parts of the world.

They don't exist because it's not a boys sport.

Yes, it's surprising that field hockey doesn't to seem to be an area sport boys considering the large ex-pat community living here. I'll look into this. Thank you so much!

https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonFHA
https://www.facebook.com/DcDragonsFHC

OP, I googled and found the two links above. They are adult clubs but they may know some opportunities for boys in the area. DC Dragons in particular looks like its oriented towards men. I hope you can find opportunities for your son - this is such an international area that there ought to be lots of men as well as women playing here and I would think people would be used to boys playing alongside girls.

I played hockey many many years ago in high school and college but blew out my knee and gave it up. Over the years with the rule changes it has just gotten more exciting and fast-paced. I so wish I could play hockey now! Good luck with your search!

We recently moved here from CA where my 9 year old son played field hockey and loved it! We'd like to find a club in the Washington area and are willing to drive quite a distance b/c it's so important to him. Any leads? Thanks! Fingers crossed!