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IOWA CITY, Iowa - USA Field Hockey is accepting applications for coaches interested in volunteering to coach U-16 Girls teams at the 2023 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games taking place August 2 to 5 in Iowa City, Iowa. This opportunity will include professional development as the Junior Olympic Coaches will meet and collaborate with a trained USA Field Hockey Coach Educator to optimize their on-field coaching delivery.
USA Field Hockey will be selecting a maximum of six coaches, one per team, who will serve as the head coaches throughout the tournament. The NCAA has given clearance for NCAA coaches, head and assistants, to coach in USA Field Hockey's Olympic Development Pathway Program, including Nexus and AAU Junior Olympic Games. If you need a letter confirming NCAA eligibility to coach, let us know and one will be provided.
Deadline: Wednesday, July 6, 2023
Known as the largest youth sport event in the United States, the AAU Junior Olympic Games brings together more than 12,000 athletes each year to compete in 24 sports. In the sport of field hockey, USA Field Hockey selects six teams of U-16 Girls division athletes to participate in the annual event. Players are selected based on their performance at the Nexus Championship, presented by Osaka Hockey, taking place July 6 to 16 in Virginia Beach, Va.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games provides top U-16 female players the opportunity to experience an Olympic-style multi-sport competition while enjoying the camaraderie and inspiration from elite athletes in other featured sports. The 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games will be held at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, I.A. from August 2 to 5.
Interested applicants for coaching positions must be current USA Field Hockey Coach Members and ideally hold a minimum of a Level 2 Certification. Coaches with experience that possess a player-centric philosophy and versed on "The USA Way" and are highly proficient in teaching junior high performance players in the U-16 age group are welcome. Applicants should be interested in collaborating with colleagues to provide and receive constructive feedback.
Coaches are volunteers. USA Field Hockey will cover expenses including travel, hotel and meals. Upon selection, the Tournament Director and Manager will reach out to confirm travel logistics, arrival and departures and all other details.
For logistical questions, please contact:
Taylor Rideout (Tournament Director) trideout@usafieldhockey.com
Kelly Angeletti (Tournament Manager) kangeletti@usafieldhockey.com
For questions about coaching, contact Liz Tchou, USA Field Hockey's Senior Manager of Coach Education and Learning, at ltchou@usafieldhockey.com.
The deadline to submit coach applications is Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Coach selections will be announced by email and on USA Field Hockey's website. For more information on the AAU Junior Olympic Games, click here.