Anonymous
01/24/2024 09:07
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just looked at the coaches attendance list for the Sunshine Showcase. There is an alarming lack of D1 coaches listed. I though I read in this thread how way more coaches go to the Sunshine Showcase than Winter Escape! Not according to Sunshine Showcase’s own information. The disinformation previously provided about this is disappointing.
First of all, nobody said there were more coaches. They said it was a more competitive tournament and that it is a more serious recruiting event. Again, coach attendance is high at Winter Escape because it is timed to the annual NFHCA meeting. Sunshine Showcase is second only to NCCs in determining the strongest clubs in the country. Secondly, many, many coaches don't put their names on the website list. My DD's head coach from her D1 program is heading down there today, will be there all weekend, and neither her name nor her university is listed. I'm sorry that your player's club chose Winter Escape instead of Disney. There are reasons that coaches do this, and hopefully it was a fun trip, but it just isn't as competitive an experience. I might add, Disney is really fun, too. We went for many years and during DD's senior year, we went for extra days, and did the parks. So fun--I miss it.
My kid, as well as several teammates, had significant recruiting opportunities come out of WE vs. Sunshine when they went. As well as other people in our club. So don't feel sorry for the kids who go to WE. What a strangely defensive post you made.
Anonymous
01/24/2024 08:32
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Just looked at the coaches attendance list for the Sunshine Showcase. There is an alarming lack of D1 coaches listed. I though I read in this thread how way more coaches go to the Sunshine Showcase than Winter Escape! Not according to Sunshine Showcase’s own information. The disinformation previously provided about this is disappointing.
First of all, nobody said there were more coaches. They said it was a more competitive tournament and that it is a more serious recruiting event. Again, coach attendance is high at Winter Escape because it is timed to the annual NFHCA meeting. Sunshine Showcase is second only to NCCs in determining the strongest clubs in the country. Secondly, many, many coaches don't put their names on the website list. My DD's head coach from her D1 program is heading down there today, will be there all weekend, and neither her name nor her university is listed. I'm sorry that your player's club chose Winter Escape instead of Disney. There are reasons that coaches do this, and hopefully it was a fun trip, but it just isn't as competitive an experience. I might add, Disney is really fun, too. We went for many years and during DD's senior year, we went for extra days, and did the parks. So fun--I miss it.
Anonymous
01/24/2024 08:20
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?
NL has been good for us. I can’t speak for the much maligned u19 team on this thread but the u16 and younger teams have been good playing experiences that have challenged our DD.
It takes over an hour for us to get to Rockville, so unfortunately Next Level is not really an option. I think Freedom is in Bethesda and not sure where Warhawks are located. The southern Maryland teams seem to have stronger clubs than Virginia but it’s just too far away.
Wolves is at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda. NL is in Rockville or at National Cathedral School. Freedom is near Annapolis -Indian Creek School for some practices. Warhawks is at multiple locations, some as far as Garrison Forest.
Fairfax County - Husel, Mustangs, Xtreme, Jackals. Note on the Jackals - the St. James acquired them and I don't know if they are or will be competitive again. I think they have teams but may be more of a rec league. Same with AVA Magic in Alexandria. I think they want to be competitive but just hasn't happened yet for them and they don't play indoor.
Loudon County - Hammers, Metro
Typhoon and High Voltage are in Fredericksburg and probably too far but could be an option. Many Fredericksburg kids come play for the clubs in fairfax county over Typhoon/High Voltage.
Metro practices at Dulles and George Mason in Spring and Fall. Indoor is in Middleburg this year, although I hear that it’s usually in Sterling.
Anonymous
01/23/2024 20:09
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
This is true. But, do your research on the Fairfax clubs. All clubs, actually. We play for a local club and would not recommend. But, we're stuck. Lots of information on here (good/bad/and ugly). Watch their IG pages (they show level of competitiveness and support for players). Watch how they perform at the tournaments. If you have access to current families, talk to them (if they are even willing to give honest feedback w/o fear of retribution. LOL).
Talking to other families is a great bit of advice. Especially if there are families who are aligned with what your kid wants from a club experience.
Another thing is to figure out what your kid wants from a club team because not everybody wants the same thing. Some kids just want more touches than they're getting in a school program. Others might be hyper-focused on reaching that D1 college. Or maybe your kid doesn't know what they want yet and just wants to play some hockey. All the clubs on this list can fit those needs to different extents.
And be realistic about how travel to and from weeknight practices and tournament weekends will effect you and your family. It can really be a lot, and it feels like more because the traffic is so crappy around here. If a good club is in your backyard, that can be a big benefit.
Anonymous
01/23/2024 15:30
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?
NL has been good for us. I can’t speak for the much maligned u19 team on this thread but the u16 and younger teams have been good playing experiences that have challenged our DD.
It takes over an hour for us to get to Rockville, so unfortunately Next Level is not really an option. I think Freedom is in Bethesda and not sure where Warhawks are located. The southern Maryland teams seem to have stronger clubs than Virginia but it’s just too far away.
Wolves is at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda. NL is in Rockville or at National Cathedral School. Freedom is near Annapolis -Indian Creek School for some practices. Warhawks is at multiple locations, some as far as Garrison Forest.
Fairfax County - Husel, Mustangs, Xtreme, Jackals. Note on the Jackals - the St. James acquired them and I don't know if they are or will be competitive again. I think they have teams but may be more of a rec league. Same with AVA Magic in Alexandria. I think they want to be competitive but just hasn't happened yet for them and they don't play indoor.
Loudon County - Hammers, Metro
Typhoon and High Voltage are in Fredericksburg and probably too far but could be an option. Many Fredericksburg kids come play for the clubs in fairfax county over Typhoon/High Voltage.
This is true. But, do your research on the Fairfax clubs. All clubs, actually. We play for a local club and would not recommend. But, we're stuck. Lots of information on here (good/bad/and ugly). Watch their IG pages (they show level of competitiveness and support for players). Watch how they perform at the tournaments. If you have access to current families, talk to them (if they are even willing to give honest feedback w/o fear of retribution. LOL).
Anonymous
01/23/2024 15:27
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Just looked at the coaches attendance list for the Sunshine Showcase. There is an alarming lack of D1 coaches listed. I though I read in this thread how way more coaches go to the Sunshine Showcase than Winter Escape! Not according to Sunshine Showcase’s own information. The disinformation previously provided about this is disappointing.
That's b/c the people who said that don't know what they're talking about.
Anonymous
01/23/2024 15:04
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?
NL has been good for us. I can’t speak for the much maligned u19 team on this thread but the u16 and younger teams have been good playing experiences that have challenged our DD.
It takes over an hour for us to get to Rockville, so unfortunately Next Level is not really an option. I think Freedom is in Bethesda and not sure where Warhawks are located. The southern Maryland teams seem to have stronger clubs than Virginia but it’s just too far away.
Wolves is at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda. NL is in Rockville or at National Cathedral School. Freedom is near Annapolis -Indian Creek School for some practices. Warhawks is at multiple locations, some as far as Garrison Forest.
Fairfax County - Husel, Mustangs, Xtreme, Jackals. Note on the Jackals - the St. James acquired them and I don't know if they are or will be competitive again. I think they have teams but may be more of a rec league. Same with AVA Magic in Alexandria. I think they want to be competitive but just hasn't happened yet for them and they don't play indoor.
Loudon County - Hammers, Metro
Typhoon and High Voltage are in Fredericksburg and probably too far but could be an option. Many Fredericksburg kids come play for the clubs in fairfax county over Typhoon/High Voltage.
Anonymous
01/23/2024 14:53
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Just looked at the coaches attendance list for the Sunshine Showcase. There is an alarming lack of D1 coaches listed. I though I read in this thread how way more coaches go to the Sunshine Showcase than Winter Escape! Not according to Sunshine Showcase’s own information. The disinformation previously provided about this is disappointing.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:42
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?
NL has been good for us. I can’t speak for the much maligned u19 team on this thread but the u16 and younger teams have been good playing experiences that have challenged our DD.
It takes over an hour for us to get to Rockville, so unfortunately Next Level is not really an option. I think Freedom is in Bethesda and not sure where Warhawks are located. The southern Maryland teams seem to have stronger clubs than Virginia but it’s just too far away.
Wolves is at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda. NL is in Rockville or at National Cathedral School. Freedom is near Annapolis -Indian Creek School for some practices. Warhawks is at multiple locations, some as far as Garrison Forest.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 11:31
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?
NL has been good for us. I can’t speak for the much maligned u19 team on this thread but the u16 and younger teams have been good playing experiences that have challenged our DD.
It takes over an hour for us to get to Rockville, so unfortunately Next Level is not really an option. I think Freedom is in Bethesda and not sure where Warhawks are located. The southern Maryland teams seem to have stronger clubs than Virginia but it’s just too far away.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 10:57
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
There really is no best answer. I have friends at almost every club and they all have their issues.
The better question is, what are you looking for in a club?
Anonymous
01/22/2024 10:52
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Wolves is a good club. Not a great club. The coaching is above average and is great for beginners and intermediate players. Gloria cares about the players but she isn’t a highly skilled coach even though she is nice, supportative to the players off the field. There is no strategic play, intensity for the next level of play. The issue is that the coaching isn’t up to par for advanced and elite level of playing so players who have the potential start to fizzle in skill and capability because they stay too long with the club. The players that are committed went beyond the club walls with privates and other outside opportunities to get committed. Again, the club is a good club upto an intermediate level of playing and coaching. Beyond that, you have to supplement or leave the club.
I can’t tell you how many top level field hockey players I know who go outside their club to get training. Please don’t think this is just happening at Wolves. It actually happens in every sport.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 10:48
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?
NL has been good for us. I can’t speak for the much maligned u19 team on this thread but the u16 and younger teams have been good playing experiences that have challenged our DD.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 10:37
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
For those getting upset about the biased posts on this Forum, I suggest starting a new Forum or just stop reading. Take everything people post with a grain of salt and don’t get offended. The rest of us might not like everything posted on here, but for the most part it is informative and interesting.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 10:28
Subject: Field hockey clubs feedback
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are the local clubs that are better for the advanced/elite players then?
Freedom and Warhawks
^^^ True but these clubs can be too far (distance, traffic) for the northern virginia crowd. Any suggestions for the fairfax county/loudoun county players?