Athletes Shine at 2025 All Starz Winter Invitational

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LANCASTER, Pa. – USA Field Hockey’s third annual All Starz event, renamed this year to the All Starz Winter Invitational, was held at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. this past Saturday. All Starz is USA Field Hockey’s premier disability inclusion program, aligning with the International Hockey Federation (FIH)’s Hockey ID (Hockey for Intellectual Disabled) program.

The 2025 tournament featured four teams from two clubs – Able Athletics, led by coaches Melissa Ponzio and Britt Paulus, and Long Island All Starz, led by Alexa Bracco. Able Athletics and Long Island All Starz also welcomed several individual players to join their teams for the event. Teams competed in two age divisions: Junior All Starz (U10) and All Starz (11+). Each team competed in three games, showing off their skills and passion for the game.

Enjoy the photo gallery below, as the pictures and smiles say it all.

44 photos

A huge thank you to all who attended the 2025 All Starz Winter Invitational and to the many volunteers and staff who helped make the event a success.

Thank you to the following umpires for volunteering their time: Tim Bohden, Maria Borsini, Brook Dixon, Belle Fields, Dan Fletcher, Val Grim, Reese Hardman, Sydney James, Andy Johnson, Donine Kelly, Ameerah Kothari, Hannah McKeon, Lizzie McManus, Chris Pacovich, Theresa Platte, Lou Rader, Ameliet Rischen, and Juli Zacharias. A special thanks to Jeanne O’Brien for all her assistance.

Special thank you to Penn State Harrisburg athlete Maggie Kutz for being the official photographer, and to our additional volunteers: Caitlin Cavanaugh (aka Sparkle the mascot), Cris Maloney, Teresa Mathews, Will Phelan, and Sarah Ross.

Thank you to all the aids, therapists, helpers and supporters who worked, cheered and helped to make it a special event for all involved. And special thanks to YOLO Sportswear for providing event shirts and sweatshirts that were loved by all!


USA Field Hockey’s All Starz Engagement Manager, Laura Jones, was thrilled with the success of the event and projected growth. “Field Hockey provides great leadership, maturity and athletic opportunities for athletes of every ability, with and without disabilities,” said Jones.“USA Field Hockey’s All Starz program is tailored to the unique needs of athletes with disabilities to ensure their access to the joy and benefits of playing hockey. Please join us in growing All Starz!”

If you are interested in forming an All Starz team, please reach out to USA Field Hockey Sport Development at sportdevelopment@usafieldhockey.com. USA Field Hockey has formed an All Starz Engagement Team of volunteers which will be led by Able Athletics Field Hockey Head Coach, Melissa Ponzio. USA Field Hockey’s goal is to continue to grow hockey as a sport for all, sport for life. Go All Starz!

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