Anonymous
Post 03/03/2025 18:00     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
If you prioritize development and not selections, Nexus is a pretty good value. 18 hours of training over three weekends with competitive kids and sound instruction for roughly $600.00.
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2025 16:55     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
I know there are clubs in NOVA that are willing to accept players who may be displaced due to Husle not existing anymore. For example, hammers! Seems like it’s been a great experience for MANY under new leadership!

Email them - even though they had tryouts (I think last month).
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2025 16:42     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
I agree too many people pay for Nexus when their money would be better spent on clinics or private sessions.
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2025 11:39     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Nexus can often be predetermined and is simply a money grab for most families, as their child will not make the championship or national selection camp or the national team. They are closely tied to the Max rankings, and thus they choose who they "should" choose. But there are certainly exceptions. Girls get pulled up into the top group and make the championship all the time as unknowns. They just have to really stand out.
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2025 09:45     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can you expand on this? How do the club coaches get to select?

Completely agree with this, USA field hockey has a Nexus problem and allowing club coaches to select for their national tournaments etc is a disservice to all athletes.


Anyone can sign up to be a coach. In this area (and probably some other areas) we don’t have enough people in the field hockey world to not use coaches. They have in the past brought in coaches from out of the area, which is an added expense.

I don’t think I’ve heard of any club coaches from this area taking part in regional selection camp in VA Beach. Yes, local coaches rank the girls who go to VA Beach for regional selection camp, but the invites to Nexus Championships are made by USA field hockey officials. They stand out because they walk about with clip boards watching, not necessarily running drills with the girls.


Don't kid yourself, those Championship selections--especially at the U16 level--are made before the regional selection camp. They know which players they are going to watch and pretty much pick before the event even starts. There may be one or two breakthroughs, but that selection camp is a joke.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2025 20:57     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Can you expand on this? How do the club coaches get to select?

Completely agree with this, USA field hockey has a Nexus problem and allowing club coaches to select for their national tournaments etc is a disservice to all athletes.


Anyone can sign up to be a coach. In this area (and probably some other areas) we don’t have enough people in the field hockey world to not use coaches. They have in the past brought in coaches from out of the area, which is an added expense.

I don’t think I’ve heard of any club coaches from this area taking part in regional selection camp in VA Beach. Yes, local coaches rank the girls who go to VA Beach for regional selection camp, but the invites to Nexus Championships are made by USA field hockey officials. They stand out because they walk about with clip boards watching, not necessarily running drills with the girls.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2025 20:39     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Can you expand on this? How do the club coaches get to select?

Completely agree with this, USA field hockey has a Nexus problem and allowing club coaches to select for their national tournaments etc is a disservice to all athletes.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2025 07:14     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know any good u10 clubs in the area? My baby girl wants to play ever since watching the Olympics and I would love for her to have a team that’s supportive!

How are the coaches with the younger girls? Who is building the best culture?


If your daughter just wants to start by learning the basics and deciding if she wants to continue, I’d do Beyond Sticks. If she wants something more than that I’d do Next Level if you live in MD or Hammers or xtreme if you live in VA.

I’m not sure which clubs do the younger age groups so you may need to look around to figure that out first.


I've heard great things about AVA Magic to add on to the above. I think they are out of Alexandria, VA


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 13:39     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know any good u10 clubs in the area? My baby girl wants to play ever since watching the Olympics and I would love for her to have a team that’s supportive!

How are the coaches with the younger girls? Who is building the best culture?


If your daughter just wants to start by learning the basics and deciding if she wants to continue, I’d do Beyond Sticks. If she wants something more than that I’d do Next Level if you live in MD or Hammers or xtreme if you live in VA.

I’m not sure which clubs do the younger age groups so you may need to look around to figure that out first.


I've heard great things about AVA Magic to add on to the above. I think they are out of Alexandria, VA
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 12:30     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:I've got a novel idea. How about letting the kids decide if they are enjoying a club or not. If they are learning, improving, making friends, and enjoying the coaches, then stay. If not, look elsewhere. This isn't rocket science, it's kids sports.


This person gets it 💪
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 10:47     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
I've got a novel idea. How about letting the kids decide if they are enjoying a club or not. If they are learning, improving, making friends, and enjoying the coaches, then stay. If not, look elsewhere. This isn't rocket science, it's kids sports.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2025 20:37     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
This is the problem with women’s sports. We really should be lifting each other up not tearing others down. It’s important to celebrate all victories and successes.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2025 13:02     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As a quick note as I feel we are all motivated for our daughters best interests..


As an aside there’s a lot of snark about husel but can you all let me know about these South African connections and how to get them? What a great opportunity and what other clubs are fostering this type of international flavor? Especially with the current state of NCAA field hockey and the number of international players.


Getting to play with international players is a great opportunity
Getting bumped from your spot on the team for visiting internationals is not so great.


Someone might have gotten less playing time, but as someone who knows the team no one got bumped.

I’m a little confused do you want tier 1 teams or equal playing time for everyone?



Playing time is more important. Can’t get better on the bench with little playing time because of guest players.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2025 08:31     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
I heard the parents (who were also coaches) that left were more concerned about winning than their own daughters mental health. That sounds super toxic.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2025 08:28     Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As a quick note as I feel we are all motivated for our daughters best interests..


As an aside there’s a lot of snark about husel but can you all let me know about these South African connections and how to get them? What a great opportunity and what other clubs are fostering this type of international flavor? Especially with the current state of NCAA field hockey and the number of international players.


Getting to play with international players is a great opportunity
Getting bumped from your spot on the team for visiting internationals is not so great.


Someone might have gotten less playing time, but as someone who knows the team no one got bumped.

I’m a little confused do you want tier 1 teams or equal playing time for everyone?