Partnership to support for all. June 2020

1 – Partnership is comprised of Men, Women, Boys & Girls. These people want success and growth for the sport of field hockey. Sport for all We are Umpires, Coaches, College Players, HS Players, USA Players and Parents.

2 Our purpose is to “Advocate for the support and growth of field hockey for all, in Massachusetts and the United States.”

Imperative to educate that this sport is available to all and to encourage for field hockey to be Sport for all taught in elementary and middle school.

Create equitable opportunity to learn, grow and play the sport of field hockey with skill.

3 Sport for all

– The MIAA and MSAA are committed to promoting inclusiveness, awareness and acceptance among the memberships of both associations. – The Pillars of MIAA Educational Athletics are: – Sportsmanship – Wellness – Leadership – Community Service – NFHS states very clearly under their gender equity section on their website: Schools and Administrators should continually strive to provide equal opportunities to each gender.

4 – 3 Million people play field hockey worldwide (www.biggestglobalsports.com) – 100 Countries play field hockey (2nd largest team sport worldwide) – England Hockey reports (2008-2009 season): 2488 registered men’s teams, 1969 women’s teams, 1042 boys’ teams, 966 girls’ teams and 274 mixed teams (Wikipedia) – Irish Hockey Assoc. reported in 2006 – 65% females vs. 35% males Sport for all play field hockey in Ireland – Hockey Australia 2008 census reported 40, 534 male club players / 41, 542 female players – Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held in 1979 that under the Massachusetts constitution’s equal rights amendment, the MIAA cannot as a matter of law exclude boys from a girls’ field hockey team (unless the school has a separate (viable) boys’ field hockey team)

5 – SPORTSMANSHIP -Teams learn to work collaboratively for a common . Athletes challenge each other and push their peers to improve their skills. Normal tryouts occur and teams are selected, participation allows for all skill levels to be considered – not dependent upon ones’ gender – but on the skills. Healthy competition raises the level of the game. Learning how to celebrate wins and assess losses to improve for the next match/opportunity. Teams win and lose together; all for one and one for all. – Assertions have been made that boys have displaced girls on varsity teams (tryouts & time on field), yet supporting data has not been Sport for all provided in more than one instance. (ie: Coalitions’ document re: Wayland) – Teams that have co-ed players or that play against co-ed teams learn to respect and value skilled athletes, no matter the gender – as well, spectators learn that the sport of field hockey is played around the world by everyone. – Officials should aim to maintain appropriate decorum of coaches coaching, athletes playing and spectators cheering on a competitive game – setting the correct tone at the beginning of the match in a respectful way.

6 – WELLNESS – High School should provide a safe place for participation for all athletes at different competitive levels (Freshman/JV/V). – No data has been shown regarding a growth in number or severity of injuries due to co-ed play. In fact, since turf fields have become more the norm, rather than grass – errant injuries due to rough Sport for all surfaces have decreased in some aspects and increased in others. Ankle vs. Abrasion, etc. – Spectators should be attending sporting events to support all athletes and if they can not attend and be supportive, then the spectators should be removed from the event. Athletes’ focus should be on a positive, competitive game.

7 – LEADERSHIP – Life is filled with challenges and teams are small opportunities for Student-Athletes to learn many skills, relative to leading and participation. Not ALL can lead, but ALL can and should be able to participate. Leaders can and should be good role models; capable athletes, good communicators, able to collaborate, understand the sport & rules, exemplify the high Sport for all expectation student-athlete with good academics, respectful toward coaches, umpires and peers and does not depend upon a persons’ gender. – Captains and Leaders for teams are sometimes selected by coaches, sometimes by the team and no one capability necessarily means “leader”, although often a more “seasoned” athlete is part of the selection process.

8 – COMMUNITY SERVICE –This is an element that the MIAA likes to hold as a pillar of expectation for student-athletes. This often goes hand in hand with being involved in your school community. Sport for all As well, many of the student-athletes need to have good scholarship and must meet grade expectations to be involved on the athletic teams. This is the same for both genders.

9 – CLARITY – EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY – Currently, only females can receive field hockey scholarships to play in the NCAA. More NCAA recruiting is currently handled at the Club level, rather than the high school level. Males can either play at club level in college or can be practice players on college teams. Sport for all – Currently, there are male practice players at Penn State, University of Maryland, James Madison, University of Delaware, Old Dominion, UCONN, Dartmouth and there are a number of collegiate programs that have expressed interest in male practice players. – NO MONEY or SCHOLARSHIPS are given to the male field hockey practice players.

10 – CLARITY – PHYSICAL ADVATAGE – Males (on a broad stoke basis) may be considered faster, stronger, bigger. Yet, that is not always the case. There are physical advantages that many same gender athletes have over their peers. Field Hockey is supposed to not be a contact sport. It is based upon stick skills and an athlete with Sport for all strong stick skills, high athleticism and speed will excel. There are many examples of men and women field hockey players who are strong, capable examples known for their athleticism and skills. ie: Beth Anders (1980 USWNT), Melissa Gonzalez 5’4, Jamie Dwyer 5’8). ~ Jamie & Gonzo are not known for being the biggest, fastest or strongest, but are considered top tier, world-class athletes.

11 Sport for all

12 Sport for all

13 – INJURIES: Field Hockey is associated with high risk of injury, particularly sprains, strains, fractures and bruises to the lower limbs, hand and head. (Activesafe.ca/field-hockey) – INJURIES: Female college/university players sustain approx. 70% of head, face, neck, hand, finger and thumb injuries near the goal or within the 25-yard line. Injuries in the circle (50% in women / 51% in men). Injuries within the 25-yard zone (34% in women / 32% in men). (Theilen et al, 2016) – INJURIES: Type of playing surface has also been reported as a risk factor for injury. Artificial turf has been associated with an increase in both acute and chronic injuries, as well as a higher rate of Sport for all abrasions. (Activesafe.ca/field-hockey) – INJURIES: An inherent risk of injury is associated with participation in HS sports based upon the nature of the game and the activities of the players. Therefore, injury prevention programs should be in place for both practices and games. (Journal of Athletic Training) – INJURIES: Elite men has 3.2 times the risk of a game injury than elite women. Men were more likely to sustain a time-loss injury. Of injured women, 75% did not miss any days of competition, compared with only 52% of injured men. (www.acsm.org)

14 MA STATE FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONS

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Division I Somerset-Berkley Somerset-Berkley Andover Walpole Acton-Boxboro Acton-Boxboro Walpole Acton-Boxboro Andover Andover Acton-Boxboro Weston Acton-Boxboro Division II Dover-Sherborn Dennis-Yarmouth Watertown Watertown Watertown Watertown Watertown Watertown Watertown Watertown Watertown Hopkinton Quaboag

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANTS 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2099 2008 2007 Division I Longmeadow Nashoba Longmeadow Longmeadow Longmeadow Nashoba Longmeadow Shrewsbury Longmeadow Algonquin Longmeadow Notre Dame Shrewsbury Division II Hopedale Greenfield Oakmont Oakmont Auburn Auburn Auburn Oakmont Oakmont Auburn Oakmont Mohawk Trail Canton

MOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Watertown

MOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES Watertown

MOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Watertown (18), Walpole (12), Acton-Booxboro (7), Notre Dame Academy (4), Bellingham (3), Canton (3), Quaboag (3), Weston (3)

– ON FIELD RESULTS Sport for all Participation Information for Field Hockey 2019-2018 2019-2018 2018-2017 2018-2017 2017-2016 2017-2016 2016-2015 2016-2015 2015-2014 2015-2014 2014-2013 2014-2013 2013-2012 2013-2012 Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls 37 7852 36 7914 28 7968 33 7694 20 8138 21 8007 27 7928 Brockton (1) Athol (3) Athol (2) Athol (1) Assabet (1) Carver (2) Carver (2) Essex Tech (1) Carver (1) Athol (1) Framingham (2) Essex (1) Fairhaven (1) Fairhaven (1) Dennis-Yarmouth (1) Franklin Tech (1) Fairhaven (1) Framinghham (1) Holyoke (1) Fairhaven (1) Holyoke (2) Framingham (2) Franklin Tech (2) Leicester (1) Holyoke (3) Mahar/Orange (2) Franklin Tech (3) - No Playoffs Hamilton-Wenham (1) Marlborough (1) Hull (1) Malden (5) - No Playoffs Hamilton-Wenham (1) Holyoke (1) Middleboro (1) Leicester (1) Martha's Vineyard (1) Holyoke (1) Malden (2) Nantucket (1) Mahar / Orange (2) Mohawk Trail (1) Malden (5) - No Playoffs Manchester-Essex (1) North Brookfield (3) - First Round Nantucket (1) North Brookfield (2) Mansfield (1) Marlborough (1) Quaboag (1) North Brookfield (1) Northampton (1) Martha's Vineyard (1) Middleboro (1) Sizer / Fitchburg (2) Sizer / Fitchburg (3) - No Playoffs Plymouth North (3) - No Playoffs Middleboro (1) North Brookfield (4) - First Round South High (1) South High (1) Shepherd Hill (1) Mohawk Trail (1) Northampton (1) Springfield Central (2) Tahanto (1) Silver Lake (1) Nashoba (1) Quaboag (1) Tantasqua (2) Tatasqua (1) Somerset-Berkley (2) Newton South (1) Shepherd Hill (1) West Springfield (2) West Springfield (1) South Hhigh (2) North Brookfield (2) Sizer / Fitchburg (1) Sturgis Charter E - Hyannis (1) Northampton (2) Somerset-Berkley (2) Tantasqua (1) Plymouth North (1) South High (2) Turner Falls / Montague (1) Somerset-Berkley (2) Tantasqua (1) West Bridgewater (1) South High (2) Worcester North (4) - Lost First Round Tantasqua (1) Westport (1)

15 – STATS: WALAND EXAMPLE – 2007 – 9-8-1 lost in 1st round – 2008 - 7-6-3 lost in quarter finals – 2009 - 7-7-2 lost in 1st round – 2010 - 11-3-3 lost in quarter finals – 2011 - 11-4-2 lost in quarter finals – 2012 - 5-6-5 lost in quarter finals Sport for all – 2013 - 6-8-0 lost in 1st round – 2014 - 9-6-1 lost in quarter finals – 2015 - 8-5-3 lost in 1st round – 2016 – 2018 did not make tournament – 2019 - 10-5-3 lost in quarter finals (ONLY YEAR WITH 3 BOYS) – (NOTE: This team LOST 6-1 to Acton-Boxboro)

16 – RECORD COMPARISON: – WAYLAND vs. ACTON-BOXBORO - 2019 SEASON – WAYLAND: – 1 game with a 5 goal differential – 1 game with a 4 goal differential – 4 games with a 3 goal differential – 3 games with a 2 goal differential – 2 games with a 1 goal differential Sport for all – ACTON-BOXBORO – 1 game with a 9 goal differential – 3 games with a 8 goal differential – 1 game with a 6 goal differential – 4 games with a 5 goal differential – 3 games with a 4 goal differential – 1 game with a 3 goal differential – 5 games with a 2 goal differential – 1 game with a 1 goal differential

17 – CLUB COACHES: As JaJa Kentwell mentioned, it’s interesting to see that many of the top field hockey clubs across the country who grow the sport and provide opportunities for all. – Cape Ann FHC – Chris Potheir / Nate O’Leary / Nick Richardson / Matthieu Py – Boston FHC – Nate Coolidge HTC FHC – Darren Smallhorn – Cape Cod FHC – Kyle Cappallo Maine STYX FH – Rupert Lewis – WC Eagles – Richard Kentwell / JaJa Kentwell / Guy Cathro / Shahid Ali Khan – AGH – Alexandru Gheorghe / Mike Pallister / Abdel Elkettani Electric Surge – Glenn Carr / Chris Comiskey – Lone Star FHC – Ali Murdoch / Clarence Jennelle / Adam Falla / Grant Brennon / Adeel Hussain / Wim Schalken – Mid-Jersey Knights FHC – Joey Civico / Ajai Dhadwal Undertow FHC – Craig Sport for all Mayhew – Spiders – Dan Welty Mustangs FHC – Alex Grassi – Club Lewy – Paul Lewis FHCC – Ian Tapsall – NJ Starz – Jim Popinko / Dennis Lallo NJ Spartans – Kelsey “Fuzzy” Stephenson / Marc Waldron – Princeton – David Williamson / PimVan Paassen Spirit of USA FHC – Kenny Patrone / Mark Vittese – Syracuse FHC – Allan Law Central Penn – Steve Heckman / Curtis Sherk / John McGraw – Philly FHC – Rennie Milne / Erik Enters / Sanjay Patel Xcaliber FHC – Brian Hope – Hymax FHC – Asdeeep “Arsh” Singh

18 – PIAA MIXED GENDER RULES: Boys can’t play on a girls team if a school has the same sport for boys & girls. If a school does not have a boys team in a particular sport, a boy can play on the girls team, but only if the school Principal determines the following: – The boy would not displace a girl on the team. – The boy would not because of his physical size or other characteristics, pose an increased risk of harm to opponents. Sport for all – The boy would not provide a significant competitive advantage. – The overall boys program at the school provides fewer opportunities for boys to participate than girls. – YET Girls are allowed to participate on teams if the school does not sponsor a comparable team OR the Principal determines that the girls team does not provide “meaningful competition for the girl.” – WHERE IS THE EQUALITY?? WHERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY??

19 – QUOTES: “Having the experience to play field hockey with a boy ultimately pushed and made me a better player. On the Marlborough Panthers FH team we had him play with us and it was something I had experienced like no other. His drive to want to do good and give 100% rubbed off on his teammates. He was not only fast and strong, but a skilled player who helped us achieve those skills too. My early years of HS field hockey shaped me into the player I became and I would say that because we got Sport for all to have the experience to have a guy on the team it allowed the rest of the team to learn new skills, become stronger and move the ball quickly up the field as a team. I’ve played two seasons of HS with a boy on the team and I believe those were the two seasons where I became a better player, and our group a better team. – ~ Abigail Larson; 20’ Marlborough HS, 24’ Assumption ( recruit)

20 – QUOTES: Field Hockey emphasizes technical skills far more than physical fitness. No matter how much bigger, faster or stronger you are, if you don’t have technical skills, a more skilled player will beat you. In my experience as a youngster training alongside and competing against female athletes, girls & boys enjoy and benefit from the opportunity to compete with one another. I never heard any complaints from teammates or teammates’ parents. I have several male friends who played field hockey in HS. They played because they loved the sport and wanted to improve their skills and compete. They were mocked by many outside their own team, which emphasizes how much the boys will endure to play a sport they love. If all of the Sport for all coaches showed support, the hostility from other teams and parents would fade. All the boys want is to be treated equally. Last, this is for high school, a place of education. If a students wants to learn a new skill or try a new sport, they should be encouraged and supported. The opportunity must be there. Athletes learn their most valuable lessons by training and competing through adversity, whether it is a faster or more skilled opponent, a lopsided score line, or heckling from spectators. All athletes deal with adversity and learning how to handle it is one of the most important lessons in sport. – ~ Alex Grassi, USA Men’s National Team Player 2012 - present

21 – QUOTES: Our daughter has played field hockey since she was 11 and is now headed to play D1 in college. When she started her first tournament team was co- ed in Disney World. Her goalie and a field player were boys, the rest were girls. She never thought twice about it as she knew that everywhere, but in the US, field hockey is just as popular for boys, as it was for girls. She continued to train at a very high level and always was in the company of at least one boy through club, high school and USA Futures training. As an athlete whose biggest competition was always herself, she again just continued to strive to be the best player she could be for her team and herself. Playing with and against boys motivated her to train harder and smarter. As players matured and grew there were physical difference with speed and strength between all talented athletes regarding of gender. There is no denying that the boys who loved the game were not out to Sport for all take a spot from the girls, but to play the game they loved. Some were just stronger and faster because they were males. Knowing that there was no way to change this besides providing the opportunity for boys to have their own team she took this as another opportunity to just work harder and in some ways, it helped her become a better player. Through some tough losses and some great successes, field hockey taught her about equality and opportunity, and sometimes you’re dealt a disadvantage from the start, but never give up on something you love and share that love with others. Creating equal opportunity with teams for boys who love the game of field hockey should be a priority. – ~ Julie Fay, (parent of Gillian Fay) 20’ Nashoba RHS, 24’ UNH (Field Hockey Recruit)

22 – QUOTES: As a competitor and a lover of the game, I welcome competition and ways to challenge myself and my teammates. Sport for all Growing comes from playing people who are better, male or female. – ~Hannah Prince, UMASS Amherst, USWNT & USWNIT 2014 - present

23 – QUOTES: I believe allowing boys and young men to play the sport of field hockey is crucial for the growth of the game in America. Providing opportunities to the youth will pay it forward on so many levels. When kids, both male and female, find something they love, it helps to shape them into better citizens and humans. Sport for all As a parent & a coach, I see the value in developing connections. Allowing children to develop skills and a strong work ethic through field hockey makes them better communicators, better teammates and all-around better people. It is time to unite the sport and give boys the opportunity to thrive in the game. – ~Courtney Cappallo, Villanova, Cape Cod FHC Club Owner

24 – QUOTES: It’s always been my fundamental belief that high school is for equal opportunity success / failure. You try different sports, classes, extra curricular activities and you specialize when you go Sport for all to college. – ~Niles Draper, Chatham High School, Minuteman FHC, Life-long MA field hockey player

25 – QUOTES: The very first soccer team I played on when I was 6 was co-ed. I learned from a young age that gender does not determine if someone is good at sports or makes a good leader. Hard work, discipline and a willingness to compete does. I was not scared to play against boys because I viewed them as my equals. Fast forward 20 years and I’m now competing against international level male athletes on a field hockey pitch. I am not intimidated by their speed, or size, which they have the genetic advantage, but I see them as any other competitors. I welcome the challenge Sport for all because it is going to make me a better athlete by forcing me to think tactically and technically different. By preventing boys/men to play amongst girls/women, females learn that they are inferior to men and should not compete against them due to a “genetic advantage” or because it’s unfair. This messaging can then follow into workplaces, education and other life challenges, which I believe is an unacceptable lesson to teach young girls. – ~Ali Froede, Miami University of Ohio, USWNT 2015-2020

26 – QUOTES: I believe that male players should be allowed to play a sport they love, regardless of their gender. The population of HRHS does not have enough field hockey players to create a team, without allowing males to play. Allowing males to join a predominantly female team, allows players, like myself, to play a Sport for all sport that we love. It is not only in my school, but as well, I am the only male field hockey player during my HTC club sessions, but they let me play and learn. My teams have welcomed me and I have grown as a player. – ~ Jaiden Kudelka, Hampshire Regional HS Club team

27 – QUOTES: As a field hockey coach, my first and foremost responsibility is to teach/coach my athletes about sportsmanship, responsibility, dedication and commitment and a sense of family to the sport & team you are committing to be a part of. Being part of a team takes hard work and dedication and it is not just given that you are part of this team. You have to earn your spot, no matter your gender. As a coach we always look for the most talent we can find, or the potential of coachability within someone and THAT is who gets selected for the team. Your gender does not entitle you to an automatic spot, your skill does. During this current time in our country where we are fighting for the equality of ALL people, why are people fighting for inequality by keeping boys/men out of field hockey, especially when it is a sport for all across the world, EXCEPT here? The sport of field hockey is dying in America because of narrow-minded thinkers and people who are holding onto the past. We need to embrace a new tomorrow and look ahead to what can be Sport for all versus what was. We are always taught to learn from the past to make tomorrow better. I ask you, are we learning from the past or are we looking to make things better? Having gone through the public broadcasted shaming, parent rage and protest, as well as the disrespect and lack of sportsmanship from our opponents this past year, I am extremely saddened by fellow coaches and their lack of integrity for their chosen behavior and actions, both on the sidelines and within their lack of integrity for their own athletes. Your beliefs and actions speak through your athletes. That is why my role today is to be the support and the voice for all my athletes. I always said I will have your back. So I am making a stand and letting everyone know that I have their backs and will always keep fighting for equality for all and ALL of my athletes. – ~ Shelly Fraser, Coach Wayland Field Hockey 2001 - present

28 ACTION ITEMS

Accept that this is a sport for all

Encourage participation in the sport, not focusing on the gender

Grow the game; introduce the sport of field hockey in elementary, middle and high school without any gender reference Sport for all

Collectively grow the game and interest, then we can truly implement a viable boys league in MA, once more boys learn the game

Welcome boys to co-ed play to encourage interest, increase skills and training

Embrace co-ed play and model proper positive behavior and encourage healthy athletic competition and challenge.

29 Partnership to support field hockey Thank you for your time, consideration and support. Sport for all. June 2020

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