2024 USA Field Hockey Grow the Game Award Winner: Melissa Ponzio

Ponzio is a passionate advocate for growing the game of field hockey by creating inclusive opportunities for athletes of all abilities through Able Athletics. Through her work with Able Athletics, Somers Youth Field Hockey and Fox Lane Field Hockey, she has dedicated herself to ensuring that field hockey is accessible to everyone, fostering a love for the sport in communities of all kinds.

Her journey with the sport began in middle school when Somers physical education teacher and varsity field hockey coach Liz Gnida introduced her to it during PE class. This introduction sparked a lifelong passion that grew throughout her time at Somers High School and SUNY Cortland. At Cortland, Ponzio played under coach Cynthia Wetmore and alongside incredible teammates, and was a member of the 2001 Division III National Championship Team.

In 2006, Ponzio began her teaching career as a physical education teacher in the Bedford Central School District in New York, where she continues to teach today. She was appointed the varsity field hockey coach at Fox Lane High School in 2008 and continued to coach until 2015, when she took time to start a family. Ponzio returned to coaching in 2023 as an assistant coach at Fox Lane, and in 2024, took on the role of co-head coach alongside former player and now colleague, Kim Gigante. Additionally, she received her USA Field Hockey Level I certification in the spring of 2024, further strengthening her commitment to growing the sport and ensuring that athletes at all levels are supported.

Ponzio’s daughter Olivia, now 8 years old, and her peers were the inspiration behind the creation of Somers Youth Field Hockey in 2022, a program that provides field hockey opportunities for athletes from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Recognizing a lack of field hockey programming in Somers compared to sports like soccer and lacrosse, she, along with a dedicated group of volunteer coaches, set out to fill this gap. With participants as young as 3 years old, the program has grown to more than 90 athletes and now competes in the newly established Westchester Youth Field Hockey League, fostering a love for the sport among the next generation of players.

Participating in mainstream sports was challenging for Ponzio’s 7-year-old son, Nicholas, who has autism. He found success and joy in Able Athletics (then known as Able Lacrosse), which provided him with a pressure-free environment where he was met with support in ways that celebrated his abilities. Inspired by Nicholas’s experiences at Able, Ponzio expanded her vision of inclusive sports to create more opportunities for athletes of all abilities. In collaboration with the Able Athletics leadership team -Vanessa Dias, Erica Maiorano, Allison Quincoses, and Brit Paulus - Able Field Hockey was launched in November 2022.

Able Field Hockey began with a USA Field Hockey Discover Field Hockey Clinic and has grown into a robust program supported by local coaches and varsity athletes. The athletes have thrived, participating in the inaugural All Starz Showcase at the National Indoor Tournament (NIT) in 2023 and again in 2024. These showcases provided a true tournament experience, offering athletes with disabilities the same exciting opportunities that many neurotypical athletes enjoy.

In the fall of 2024, Ponzio and her team hosted the first Able Athletics All Starz Fall Invitational, featuring tournament play between Able Athletics and the Long Island All Starz. This event was a resounding success, bolstered by the support of the Pace University team, local high school athletes, coaches, and officials.

This groundbreaking program presumes competence in all athletes, challenging them when appropriate and modifying or adapting skills to ensure success for every participant. Ponzio’s guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: Field Hockey is a game for ALL.

Ponzio and the team at Able Athletics are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of USA Field Hockey, including leaders Jenna Ortega, Sally Goggin, and Laura Jones, whose encouragement and resources have been instrumental in the program’s growth. They also value the partnerships with the Long Island All Starz, led by Alexa Bracco, and the PA Rev All Starz, led by Lydia Smeltz. These collaborations have helped bring visibility and opportunities to athletes with disabilities, fostering a sense of community and inclusion within the field hockey world. Able Athletics is excited to see All Starz Field Hockey growing across the United States, providing more athletes with disabilities the chance to experience our amazing sport.

Ponzio’s notes that this recognition is shared with the hundreds of dedicated volunteers whose support has been essential. She said Able Athletics would not be possible without them, as they contribute their time, expertise, and passion to create a welcoming environment for all athletes.

Ponzio also shares this award with her husband Dominick, whose unwavering support for her field hockey endeavors has been a constant source of strength, enabling her to pursue her mission of inclusion and growth for the sport.

Ponzio is a valued member of the NFHCA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, contributing to initiatives that promote inclusivity within the sport. Additionally, she will be presenting at the NFHCA Coaches Convention on January 17, 2025, with a session titled 'Growing the Game for Athletes of All Abilities,' focusing on All Starz Field Hockey programs.

Ponzio also coaches in the Coach Brit Field Hockey clinics, collaborating with her college teammate and good friend Brit Paulus to help athletes of all levels grow and thrive in the sport.

Ponzio’s dedication to field hockey reflects her deep belief in the sport’s power to build community, foster inclusivity, and provide meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities. Her efforts continue to grow the game, creating spaces where every athlete can shine.

Congratulations once again to Melissa Ponzio for winning the 2024 Grow the Game Award.