Adult National Club Championship Kicks Off Next Weekend, Rosters Revealed
NEWARK, Del. - In just over a week, the USA Field Hockey sanctioned U.S. Field Hockey League (USFHL) 2024 Adult National Club Championship (NCC) will kick off again in the Fred P. Rullo Stadium at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del. This year's event will host eight men’s teams and 12 women’s teams from across the nation, all of whom qualified locally for their bid to be named men’s or women’s ‘National Champions’. This event is free admission and all matches will be streamed live.
The reigning National Champions for each division are the only teams who receive a direct invitation to the next year's Adult NCC, with all other teams needing to qualify through local USFHL certified leagues and Regional Club Championships. The NY Islanders Field Hockey Association (Islanders FHA) returns as the reigning 2023 National Club Champions in the Men’s Division. A ‘two-peat’ club, they come back to Newark, Del. with high expectations and a strong desire to bring home a third. The Washington Field Hockey Association (Washington FHA) are the reigning 2023 National Club Champions in the women’s division, hoisting the title to the DC metro area.
2024 Men’s Division Sees New Teams and Known Competitors Making Outcome Truly Up for Grabs
The eight men's teams competing for the national title this year include some well-known teams, past winners and some new faces. One of the key opportunities for competitive adult men’s field hockey in the United States, USFHL Adult NCC continually boast high level play for men and one of the best chances for fans to see elite action. Returning champions, New York Islanders FHA and Greenwich FHC, qualified through NEFHA where eight men’s teams compete all year for their NCC bid. dcDragons come in as Regional Club Champions, along with Miami Surf who won the southeast RCC. Lonestar Field Hockey, Philly Premier, Ventura County Red Devils and Minuteman FHC round out the slate of teams competing this year.
Two-time champions the New York Islanders FHA are well respected for their talent, and always exciting team to watch and hang out with! They are a great group of competitive athletes who have two things in common: a love of the game and a love for having fun while playing it. Unique from some of the other teams, the Islanders are made up of players from various parts of the United States mainly Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the Caribbean. Follow the music and you will find the fun bunch off the field, but extreme competitors up for a third title this year.
The Islanders have met annual competitor the dcDragons in their title runs, including final matches. Always fierce competitors, the returning Dragons are focused on winning it all this year and ending the reign of the Islanders. They have a standout roster, including South African Olympian Marvin Bam, who is now a dcDragon and current US Men’s National Team athlete Dean Schiller. The dcDragons have been training and competing in tournaments regularly in preparation for this year's Adult NCC with a vengeance.
After dominant displays in a three-game series against Philly Premier, and placing first at their Regional Club Championship, the Dragons are looking forward to a new challenge against some of the best men's club teams from across the country this year at Nationals.
The dcDragons will open the tournament for the men’s division Friday, July 19 against Texan Lone Star FHC.
The newcomers this year are the Ventura County Red Devils, or VCRD, from the Californian area code 805, which you will find reflected in their logo. The team, populated by multiple players who either are current U.S. Men’s National Team players like Mikey Barminiski, Ajai Dhadwal and Johnny Orozco, and several who played at the junior level. One hundred cap athletes are not rare on the team, which raises expectations and pressure for great play at the tournament.
Women’s Division Teams Ensure Strong Competition
The Washington FHA of metropolitan DC returns to Rullo Stadium as the 2023 National Champions. The team bested the tough Atlanta FHC who also qualified again this year. The 12 women’s teams competing have beaten multiple contenders this season, making them all battle hardened, prepped and practiced locally often against college teams and are ready
Leading off the competition are familiar competitors Atlanta FHC, boasting a roster that includes captain and 2022 MVP Elizabeth Hitti. Fellow DC area club, dcDragons, are sending a strong roster, making the capitol area clubs string contenders for the title this year. As is typical for the nation, the Pennsylvania region has the most teams competing in certified leagues, so qualification is tough. The Steel Styx from Pittsburgh will arrive to see fellow Keystone State teams in Running on Empty, with the Strikers, who qualified through the Spooky Nook adult league and won their RCC. New England has Greenwich FHC from Connecticut, Minuteman from Boston, known as The Flock, and hometown favorites Delaware FHA. From Texas, Lone Star Field Hockey arrives as regional champs. California is sending a brace of teams, Santa Monica Field Hockey Club from the south, and 2022 National Champions, The Olympic Club, from the north.
Santa Monica FHC are a multi-aged, multi-experienced team that loves to play throughout the year, not just at tournament time, which serves them well competitively. The roster has a few members selected to represent USA at the WMH Masters World Cup, which benefits the team with augmented player coaching and international experience. The full team participated in multiple tournaments, domestic and international, throughout the past year, preparing for their run at the National Club Championship. Not all work all the time, Santa Monica FHC also balances their field hockey focus with a fun focus, one of the hallmarks of the USFHL Adult NCC. Outside of the pitch, you can find the team at trivia nights, karaoke nights, or a local brewery enjoying their rest and relaxation!
Any team, and every team, in this year's competitive grouping has a solid chance to take the title home with them this year.
Competition for the women will begin on Friday, July 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET as the Atlanta FHC takes on Delaware FHA in the opening match.
Ancillary Events
Level 2 Instructional Coaching Clinic
Register, opens in a new tabThe weekend kicks off with a USA Field Hockey Level 2 Instructional Coaching Clinic. The course is part of the official Coach Certification pathway of USA Field Hockey and important for the professional development of coaches. It will be led by highly rated USA Field Hockey Coach Educator and University of Delaware Head Coach Rolf Van de Kerkhof, adding to the value of the course. Professional development for field hockey coaches is important to keep abreast of new techniques, strategies and, most importantly, researched-based methodology for successful coaching, all part of 'The USA Way' and American Development Model. Coach Education is supported by the app, In the Circle, available on your app store.
Discover Field Hockey Clinic
A Discover Field Hockey event will be hosted on Friday afternoon with 30 kids expected! The 90-minute event will introduce field hockey to kids, teach them the basics, and wrap up with everyone ready to play! The event includes a USA Field Hockey Player Kit, with a stick, ball, T shirt and player bag to take home. Kids are invited to stay and participate in the opening ceremony as escorts for the teams during the national anthem and then stay to watch top level men and women’s hockey
Athlete Social
Saturday night is the much anticipated Athlete Social at the local Grain Exchange. The social is a great opportunity for teams to mingle, see old friends, network, talk about growing the adult game, and celebrate qualifying for the Adult NCC. Always a huge draw for the teams, umpires, and fans, its a real celebration of good hockey! This year’s theme is ‘luau’ and the Hawiian wear should be intense! You can see reflections of the luau theme throughout the competition this year, from event t shirts to PR, making good fun for all.
Women’s Championship games are played Sunday at 11:00 a.m. ET, and the Men’s Championship game at 12:30 p.m. ET. Attend a game in-person at Rullo Stadium or cheer on your hometown favorites by viewing the livestream.
Mark your calendars for July 19 to 21 and come out to Newark, Del. to enjoy the games!