USA Field Hockey Grow the Game Award - is presented to a USA Field Hockey Member that has help lay a foundation, build a lasting program and impacted their community through field hockey. They have provided opportunities to countless field hockey players in their region that would not exist without their efforts.
Gracie Kiser #
- Drove YMCA Field Hockey program growth from zero to serving hundreds of young athletes in Kentucky
- Established three school-based field hockey teams in Oldham County, providing vital access to organized sports in the region
- Helped found the Kentucky State Chapter of USA Field Hockey, now a key organization in the state supporting athletes, coaches, and communities
- Currently serves as the Vice President of the Kentucky State Chapter of USA Field Hockey, further demonstrating her leadership and dedication to the sport
Melissa Ponzio #
- Built an adaptive field hockey program that provides athletes with disabilities the chance to compete and develop in a supportive environment
- Serves as Chief Programming Officer of Able Athletics and Director of Able Field Hockey
- Started and hosted Able Athletics All Starz Fall Invitational, bringing competitors from the Long Island All Starz and collaborating with high school umpires and support from the Pace University field hockey team.
- Commissioner and Co-Founder of Somers Youth Field Hockey - now in its third year, Somers Youth Field Hockey has grown to serve 90 athletes from pre-K through 8th grade,
Amy Robertson #
- Serves as the North Carolina State Chapter President (volunteer)
- Has more than 25 years of coaching experience at the youth, middle school, high school and collegiate levels. Helped lead a newly reinstated Indiana University program in 2000.
- In 2022, stepped in to serve as the head coach of Riverside High School, which was going to be dropped as a program, for a program that is 74% minority students
- Coaches in Nexus program
- Spearheaded fundamental changes in the North Carolina Coaches Association to identify a commissioner so that they can be in a better position to eventually request sanctioning for the sport.
- Continues to further educate herself within USA Field Hockey’s Coach Education program and volunteers her time for educational courses
- Co-Owns “In the Zone Field Hockey”, offering player performance with training sessions, fitness, health and nutrition consultation, virtual trainings programs, recruiting consultation and college counseling, and team camps
Keely Tamer #
- Voluntarily helped start and the first USA Field Hockey State Chapter in Michigan, serving as first State Chapter President (January 2020 -October 2024)
- Helped secure Michigan High School Athletic Association sanctioning of field hockey starting in the 2025-26 school year
- Has worn many hats in the field hockey community, creating opportunities and developing athletes in Michigan.
- Coaches at Dexter High School
- Helped launch Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey Club as a 501c3 dedicated to the growth and development of field hockey for all across Great Lakes region
- Fundraising to build water-based field in Brighton, MI
- Recently purchased the Pinnacle Field Hockey Club
Michelle Van de Braak #
- Founded San Francisco Youth FHC in 2017
- Coached at University High School (2020-21)
- Coached at St. Ignatius High School (2022 – present)
- USA Field Hockey Level III Certified Coach
- Serves as Nexus Region 11 Coach
- Offers free clinic and free introductory sessions annually
- Inspires and welcomes both girls and boys to play, and helps create opportunities for continued play and development at competitive levels.
- Has raised funds to subsidize participation for low income members. In addition, the club provides youth opportunities to become junior coaches, helping grow the next generation of coaches in the community.
- Offers summer programs through the YMCA offering boys and girls the chance to learn a new game.
- Summer programs partnering with the city of San Francisco, helping low income children enjoy active hockey summer camps during and after the COVID pandemic had severely restricted sporting opportunities in the city.
- Club hockey for children from U-6 to high school. Michelle has tapped the local community and found talented coaches that inspire and educate in a fun way.
- Encouraged cooperation between Northern California youth teams, hosting club tournaments and supporting competition at all levels.
- Recent recipient of USA Field Hockey’s 2024 Bessant Grow the Game Grant
