USA Field Hockey Awards $50k to 2024 Bessant Grow the Game Grant Recipients

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant was established in 2024 when Bank of America honored Cathy Bessant and her remarkable 40 years of service to the company by supporting a $1 million leadership grant to USA Field Hockey to further develop the sport’s growth.

“Cathy’s $1m gift is equally incredible in its generosity, scale and impact,” said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director. “Cathy and her family have an amazing passion for field hockey. She gives so much to the sport in so many ways, on behalf of the organization we are so extremely grateful.”

Bessant, a long-time supporter of the organization, earmarked $200k for Sport Development - $50k for four years - creating the USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant. The Grant was established to support leaders committed to growing the game and the grassroots level and strengthening a community’s field hockey ecosystem.  The grant equips leaders to build or strengthen “Field Hockey Hot Spots,” defined as places where field hockey is an accessible sport option for people to discover, play and learn, compete, improve and excel as athletes, coaches, umpires and fan. Grantees receive both financial support and networking opportunities with their cohort, as well as personalized mentorship based on their stated needs.

USA Field Hockey received 117 grant applications requesting over $1.1 million in grant funding. The Grant Committee did a great job thoroughly reviewing all 117 applications, ultimately selected 12 awardees, from nine states plus the District of Columbia.  “It was a difficult process as we would have liked nothing more than to be able to support everyone’s application and efforts to grow the game,” stated Chip Rogers, USA Field Hockey’s Sport Development Board Chair. “We selected 12 applicants, prioritizing applicants whose projects focused on sustainable growth. Awardees include new and existing clubs and multi-sport organizations from across the United States.”

USA Field Hockey would like to congratulate the 2024 Bessant Grow the Game grant recipients listed below. Look for more information each individual recipient and their projects in the coming months.

Thank you to all the applicants, Cathy Bessant, and the Bessant Grow the Game Grant Voting Committee consisting of Rachel Dawson, Adam Falla, Melissa Gonzalez, Miki Osherow and Chip Rogers.

The USA Field Hockey 2025 Bessant Grow the Game Application window will open on January 6, 2025. All interested are encouraged to apply again as an additional $50k will be granted in Q2 of 2025.