by Ralf Heuser, Head Coach, Louisville HS

Some of you may remember my name as I ran unsuccessfully for the position of USFHA Director of Sport Development. Today, I want to inform you about an exciting concept to grow the sport of field hockey.

As you all know the YMCA is committed to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. In view of the recent epidemic of overweight and under-active children, the YMCA believes that engaging as many young people as possible in heretofore undiscovered sports activities like Field Hockey is the best way to overcome this growing health risk. It is also a great vehicle for teaching kids positive values and sportmanship and helping build their self-esteem.

Over the course of one year, I have been working with the YMCA to make this concept a reality. After having convinced its Board of Directors that field hockey is indeed a sport meeting all criteria, the YMCA of Southeast Ventura County has begun planning and starting to realize to introduce field hockey into the after-school program in order to have a great number of boys and girls from ages 6 - 13 become involved with field hockey as their favorite sport. This YMCA is serving the Southern California communities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Oak Park and Agoura Hills. According to the Vice-President of this YMCA, "the before-and-after school programs serve over 1000 children every school day for between 4 and 8 hours and we have struggled to find outdoor physical activities program components that children would get excited about."

Out of the initial discussion in May of 2003 with the YMCA a clear plan evolved:

* to introduce field hockey exercises that promote fun and easy learning as physical education activities in five demonstration sites starting in September 2004

* over the course of one year the children will learn the basic skills and begin playing field hockey in small team competitions

* during the summer of 2005 the YMCA would sponsor several field hockey clinics that are promoted to the communities at large

* in the second school year a field hockey school league sponsored by the YMCA would commence

* the program would operate on public school facilities to which the YMCA has exclusive access

The ultimate goal is to incorporate field hockey as a region wide YMCA activity just as the YMCA has done successfully with competitive swimming and basketball.

A successful implementation of this concept could lead to introducing this program to the national YMCA office which consists of 960 organizations with over 2500 branches nationwide. According to Jim King, Vice-President, "our expectations are that as the competitive league expands, it will become self sufficient based on league and membership fees. We are confident enough in our ability to succeed that we are willing to commit existing Youth and Physical Education Staff to the development of field hockey as a distinct YMCA youth activity."

In late 2003 an equipment grant application was submitted to the USFHA only to be informed that this long standing program to provide sticks, balls etc. had been cancelled due to financial constraints. Subsequently, the concept was written up in detail and submitted to various associations and foundations to solicit financial support.

The USFHA, unfortunately, informed that "USFHA policies do not permit to give cash to outside organizations - even other non-profit youth organizations such as the YMCA." It was further communicated that a regional program would be in place in future similar to the previous equipment grant program. There is some hope that the USFHA Foundation may assist but its Board would have to meet to consider the YMCA request.

Also the FHF, Field Hockey Federation and organizer of CAL CUP received the concept document and has decided after discussions at its recent board meeting to invite us for a presentation on August 15th, 2004. In general, views about the concept seem to be favorable.

The Field Hockey Men's Foundation also was petitioned and word is that the YMCA concept is being looked upon favorably as meeting the foundations criteria and a decision should be made early August.

At this time, the PENN MONTO Foundation has already decided to support this concept with a donation of $1,000. As I have recently taken up a coaching position at a local high school (Louisville HS) to start a new field hockey program I decided to donate from the proceeds of a one week summer camp ($500).

In consultation with the YMCA it was decided, based on the donations on hand and prospects of additional support, to place an initial order for 100 sticks and 10 dozen balls with Penn Monto, a business independant from the foundation with the same name and this company, much to our pleasant surprise, decided to supply the balls, a $320 value, at no charge.

Unveiling of the program is scheduled for some time in September and a specific coaching manual is currently being prepared and the Physical Education Staff will be familiarized sometime in August.

While the outlook for financial support is promising, more financial support is necessary and anyone wishing to make a tax deductible donation can do so by making out a check to: " YMCA of Southeast Ventura County" and mail it to:
Ralf E. Heuser
5491 Hoback Glen Road
Hidden Hills, Ca. 91302
For more information, please contact Ralf at RALFHEU@msn.com
A special "THANK YOU" to Heidi Faith and Field Hockey West for publishing this article.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in articles are those of the individual author. These views are not necessarily shared by the Chapter or by the other authors. Opinions contrary to our mission maybe published in the interest of critical debate. All articles and news items can be sent to web@fieldhockeywest.org