2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum
Dec 2, 2024 - Dec 3, 2024 | Coaching Course | Virtual
USA Field Hockey is excited to extend an invitation to coaches across the country for the anticipated 2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum (VNCF). This event promises to be an enriching experience, offering a unique opportunity for coaches to engage in interactive learning and networking. Set in a virtual landscape, the forum is easily accessible, allowing participants to join from the comfort of their homes or offices.
The Forum is for every coach at every level by design, and this year is no exception. Your coaching game will be enhanced with key information from our presenters.
Featured Speakers#
Alyson Annan
Read MoreUSA Field Hockey is excited to announce that China Women's National Team head coach and 2024 FIH Coach of the Year Alyson Annan will be headlining the 2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum.
Annan is synonymous with field hockey. As an Australian Hockeyroo, she earned an impressive 228 international caps, tallied 166 goals, led Australia to two Olympic Gold medals in 1996 and 2000, and won World Cup Gold in 1994 and 1998. Annan has taken a new challenge up as the head coach of the China Women’s National Team, leading her team to a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Annan’s presentation will include an interactive Q&A session with USA’s High Performance Director, Craig Parnham, where she will discuss a variety of topics and answer the questions everyone wants to know, including "China Women’s National Team Success: Key Insights and Lessons".
Thomas Tichelman
Read MoreThomas Tichelman, renowned Netherlands coach, will kick off Day 2 of the Virtual National Coaches Forum on December 4 with a focus on youth development and its critical importance.
Tichelman will lead a session titled “From Youth, Club, Collegiate to High Performance: Insights from the Dutch Olympic Program”. The session will focus on proven strategies and structured development pathways that have positioned the Netherlands as a global leader in field hockey. Tichelman’s approach provides a roadmap for coaches at every level, to guide athletes from grassroots programs to high-performance success.
David Passmore
Read MoreHear from U.S. Women's National Team head coach David Passmore live at the 2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum on December 4 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM ET.
In his session, Passmore will provide a candid look into the team’s recent Olympic journey, highlighting the successes, challenges, and key lessons learned. This behind-the-scenes look will cover both the good and the setbacks encountered on the path to Paris 2024, offering coaches a unique perspective on how elite teams navigate and grow through high-stakes international competitions.
Maddie Hinch
Read MoreMaddie Hinch, one of the most iconic goalkeepers in field hockey history and the current USWNT goalkeeping coach, will share her expertise and experiences as a featured presenter at the 2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum.
Known for her fearless performances and game-winning saves, including her legendary shootout heroics that secured Olympic gold for Team GB in Rio 2016, Hinch brings a wealth of knowledge from her illustrious career. As the USWNT goalkeeping coach, she will showcase video clips and review the types of training she implements with the USWNT goalkeepers, offering insights into elite-level preparation and technique. Beyond the high-performance realm, Hinch will also provide takeaways for coaches of all levels, equipping them with practical strategies to elevate their own goalkeeper training.
Sean Rapaport
Sean Rapaport, distinguished Paris 2024 Olympic umpire and the Director of Umpiring for USA Field Hockey, brings his vast expertise and unique perspective to the 2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum as one of the featured presenters. Rapaport's resume is too long to cite, but of recent note is his groundbreaking role as part of the first mixed-gender umpiring duo in Olympic hockey history.
During his session, be prepared for an interactive Q&A-based session that will cover An Umpire's Perspective on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Observations from the College Season That Was and A First Look at the Upcoming Trial Rule Relating to Aerial Balls.
College Coach Q&A#
Tracey Fuchs
Northwestern University Head Coach
Hannah Prince
Saint Joseph's University Head Coach
Carolyn King-Robitaille
Saint Anselm College Head Coach
Katharine DeLorenzo
Middlebury College Head Coach
Schedule#
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
9:55 - 10:00 a.m. - Welcome
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Alyson Annan
11:00 - 11:10 a.m. - Break
11:10 - 12:10 p.m. - Sean Rapaport
12:10 - 12:20 p.m. - Break
12:20 - 1:30 p.m. - David PassmoreWednesday, December 4, 2024
9:55 - 10:00 a.m. - Introduction
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Thomas Tichelman
11:00 - 11:10 a.m. - Break
11:10 - 12:10 p.m. - College Coaches, Q&A
12:10 - 12:20 p.m. - Break
12:20 - 1:30 p.m. - Maddie Hinch
Event Highlights
The Forum is set to feature a series of insightful presentations and discussions led by some of the most prominent figures in the field hockey world. Fresh off the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach David Passmore and China Women's National Team Head Coach Alyson Annan will offer valuable insights into their preparation techniques and experiences.
Pricing
USA Field Hockey Member: $40 per day | $60 for both sessions
Non-USA Field Hockey Member: $50 per day | $80 for both sessions*If you are unable to make all the sessions live, don't worry! Registrants will have access to view the recordings. Take advantage of the current pricing for the full package!
Speakers
Alyson Annan, China Women's National Team Head Coach
Maddie Hinch, U.S. Women's National Team Goalkeeping Coach
David Passmore, U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach
Sean Rapaport, USA Field Hockey Director of Umpiring
Thomas Tichelman, Former Netherlands Women's National Team Assistant Coach
Coaches Alyson Annan and Thomas Tichelman are headlining the event. Both have a wealth of experience as coaches and players and both are ready to share the keys that they use to build teams, improve performance and coach at the top of their games. A common theme for both is to make hockey work for every player emphasizing simplicity in their approach.
Forum sessions will also feature key USA Field Hockey staff led by David Passmore, USWNT Head Coach; Maddie Hinch, Olympic Goalkeeper and Specialty Coach; and Sean Rapaport, Olympic Umpire and USA Field Hockey's Director of Umpiring. Just returning from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, they all have much to share with you about the experience and the impacts of the USA game at the grassroots and what it means for us all. High Performance Director Craig Parnham will further contribute his vast expertise by facilitating the event.
Attendees will have access to the LIVE event as well as post event recordings. There is no reason to skip this event and miss out on this valuable content.
If you have more than one staff member interested in this golden opportunity, contact coaching@usafieldhockey.com.