National Club Championship 2011

First official National Club Championship 2011 

For so long American field hockey has been missing one thing…a club championship. All over the world club field hockey has had a competitive league resulting in a play off and the crowning of a club champion. The honor of winning a national tournament brings pride and status to the respective club.

Playing for a club team during the off -season or during field hockey season can only be beneficial to any player, more playing time as well as exposure to playing with stronger players at a higher level. In turn club teams strengthen the grass root levels of field hockey in the United States.

So the first annual National Club Championship will be held in Richmond, Virginia from 21, July 2011- 24, July 2011. Guess who the official sponsors of the event is? HARROW obviously. There will be a Harrow booth where you can get all your field hockey necessities. Harrow will be selling official event merchandise as well as showcasing the brand new stick line favored by Rachel Dawson in the recent Champions Challenge.

“Harrow has stood for performance since our inception," said Alli Tanner, Harrow Director of Field Hockey. "The National Club Championship provides an opportunity to showcase the best in amateur athletic performance and our goal is for field hockey players across America to aspire to be participants."

Tweet @harrowfh and let us know that you’ll be there.

Any questions regarding merchandise or stick orders please contact atanner@harrowsports.com or call 303-892-3472

National Futures Championship

Harrow field hockey traveled to Virginia Beach to jam with the young field hockey stars of the future, at the National Futures Championship. It was so exciting to see so many young girls all showing off their skill and talent.

Teams were divided into cities from around the world and color coded according to age group. The final results and winners were:

Atlanta won the u/14 section.
Congratulations to the following team members:

Erin Bradshaw, Jessica Niccum, Erin Matson, Christie Van De Kamp, Lexi Davidson, Erin McNamara, Kelsey Keener, Jenna Patrine, Linnea Gonzales, Jen Bleakney, Mariah Lowman, Taylor Stone, Katrina Carter, Samara Spence, Nicole Olguin, Austyn Cuneo, Lauren McNally, Coach: Rebecca Masteller

Amsterdam won the u/16 section
Congratulations to the following team members:

Regan Spencer, Madeline Hedrick, Eryn McCoy, Kyla Cordrey, Krysten Mayers, Marissa Balleza, Elena Veale, Jamee Albright, Julia Petrey-Juarez, Elana Meer, Sarah Keer, Teresa Carotenuto, Mary Flick, Hannah Fisher, Alaina Madeline, Kristina Bassi, Heather Wiley, Coach: Maggie Long

Sochi won the u/19 section
Congratulations to the following team members:

Deidra Clymer, Sara Nicolas, Hayley Hoge, Nicole Miller, Mallory Roach, Olivia Hajek, Hannah Thiemann, Shannon Regan, Sarah Urdahl, Celia D'Agostino, Jessica Gardiner, Ashleigh Allen, Jenn Staab, Brittany Hopkins, Sydney Supica, Hannah Brotzge, Gabriella Giannone, Coach: Lauren Sickel

My favorite part of the tournament was definitely the sea of Harrow back- packs. It was the ‘it’ item at the tournament and we just love it. If you want to order your individual or team back- pack’s please contact atanner@harrowsports.com or call 303-892-3472
Remember we customize bags and uniforms so get your harrow on for this upcoming season.

Champions Challenge 2011

The 2011 Champions Challenge is being held in Dublin, Ireland. Some folk have been asking how this tournament affects your chance to qualify for the Olympics and how it affects the teams’ international rankings.

The Champions Challenge is essentially the bottom six ranked teams in the world. The top six nations attend the Champions Trophy tournament. The loser of the Champions Trophy gets relegated to the Champions Challenge tournament and the winner of the Champions Challenge tournament then moves up to the Champions Trophy tournament.

This year the Pools are divided in two: Pool A and Pool B.

At the top of Pool A is South Africa with 4 points, ahead of Scotland who also has 4 points, but the convincing 5-1 for South Africa over Japan has put them at the top of pool A. Japan comes in third with 3 points and USA at the bottom of the pool after two close losses. Japan defeated USA 2-1 despite the USA having many chances in the last minutes of the half. USA’s second loss, 3-1 came versus Scotland after being tied at the half.

Pool B has been full of surprises with the usual field hockey powers not dominating. It appears this years Champions Challenge will be one for the under dogs. The host nation, Ireland leads Pool B with 6 points and two wins over Azerbaijan and India. Azerbaijan is in second standing with 3 points and a win over Spain. In the last two positions of Pool B is Spain and India with 1 point each.

Today is a rest day in Ireland with the teams preparing for the following upcoming matches: Japan vs Scotland; USA vs South Africa; Azerbaijan vs India and Spain vs Ireland.

Rachel Dawson Inks with Harrow Field Hockey

Press release: 

Harrow field hockey is proud to announce the signing of their first official sponsored player. 

Rachel Dawson, a University of North Carolina graduate and seven year American national team player, has teamed up with the American field hockey brand to promote, energize and grow the sport in this country.

Dawson, who already is a prominent face in American field hockey, epitomizes the Harrow brand with passion, energy, determination and a love for the game.

"I am beyond ecstatic to become Harrow's first officially sponsored field hockey athlete. The Harrow Brand is dynamic and innovative, and most importantly, dedicated to the growth of field hockey at every age and level in America.  As marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of its own line of quality field hockey sticks and equipment, Harrow is, in a word, All-American. I am excited to join forces with Harrow, and to represent a brand that I believe will have an important role in driving the USA to international podium status" said Dawson.

Harrow Sports, Inc. is a leading marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of sporting goods and uniforms to the institutional and team sports market. Harrow’s lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, and squash equipment lines, along with a comprehensive apparel, bag, and footwear are sold internationally and throughout America.

Mark Hayden, CEO of Harrow said, "Signing Rachel Dawson demonstrates Harrow's continued commitment to field hockey and women’s athletics. Rachel is one of the elite athletes in the history of field hockey and continues to serve as an outstanding symbol for the character, dedication, and performance that both Harrow and Rachel bring to the game. She is an excellent ambassador for female athletes all over the world."

 

Women's National Championship in Washington D.C.

This week of field hockey in America's capital definitely highlighted America's finest field hockey skills and players. For the spectators it was a treat to the eyes with beautiful goals, team build ups, passing play, cards and excitement.

New Jersey seemed to grow from strength to strength and played well as a team to finish. Mid Atlantic had many chances at the goal but struggled to convert when it counted, despite their caliber of strikers. California played consistently but struggled to come up with 'W's in most of their games. The South had strong defense and defensive line which drove them to goal. Pennsylvania was kept safe by their guardian of the goal, Amy Swenson. New England always surprised and had a quick, skilled forward line with great one v one finishing skills.

At the end of today the standings are as follows:
1. New Jersey
2. South
3.Pennsylvania
4.Mid Atlantic
5.California
6. New England

So for today's exciting play offs:
New England will play California for 5/6. Mid Atlantic will play Pennsylvania for 3/4. The final will be battled out between South and New Jersey.

Play off games have been scheduled earlier because of possible weather delays.
Most of the games were 'tweeted' live so if you aren't following @harrowFH you should be. It's where it's all happening.

Women's Senior National Championship

The Women’s National Championship got underway last Friday 20, May 2011 at American University in Washington D.C. The girls looked excited and raring to go for a week of America's best field hockey. Some impressive build-up play and goal shots but even more impressive goalkeeping from Jackie Kintzer and Amy Swenson. Nimble saves and continuous testing proved both their respective teams, South and Pennsylvania, came out on top with the W. A few struggled with basics as the pitch surface caused many balls to lift and many players saw themselves slipping and sliding. Interesting fun hockey for sure. Day two saw the South beating New Jersey 5-2. Mid Atlantic edging passed California 4-2 after a 2-2 tie at the half. No exciting scoring from New England vs Pennsylvania as they drew 0-0. The current results as of now are :

1. South

2. Pennsylvania

3. Mid Atlantic

4. New Jersey

5. New England

6. California

Day 3 will be an exciting one as Pennsylvania takes on New Jersey; California vs New England and the South vs Mid Atlantic.

Get your Harrow on!

Field Hockey for Japan

National Club Championship Presented by Harrow Sports

National Club Championship Presented by Harrow Sports

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce a two year partnership with Harrow Sports, to be the Presenting Sponsorship of the National Club Championship. The first annual National Club Championship will be held at Sportsquest in Richmond, Virginia, July 21-24.

"Hockey is a significant part of our future and we believe supporting the next generation of athletes along with USA Field Hockey provides a great opportunity to support the game that is at the core of our brand," said Mark Hayden, CEO of Harrow Sports. "We're proud to help recognize the top players in the country and participate in the creation of a great event. We believe our partnership with USA Field Hockey helps ensure that this event will quickly become the pre-eminent event of its kind."

The National Club Championship is an ideal opportunity for Clubs to compete against each other at a highly competitive event. On February 1, online registration for the National Club Championship opened and in approximately one minute was filled. Registration for this first year was based on a first come, first serve basis and given the high demand was adjusted to include thirty-two Under-19 and Under-17 Club teams instead of sixteen.

“A National Club Championship will inevitably create a higher level of competition amongst club teams and will provide further training, outside of the school setting, for young athletes to advance their game,” said Technical Director, Terry Walsh.

In future years, regional qualifiers will be in place and will determine the best Club team to advance to the National Club Championship. Official Club rankings will be determined and displayed based on results from this event. The inaugural Club Champion athletes will receive a unique commemorative Harrow Club Champion stick.

"Harrow has stood for performance since our inception," said Alli Tanner, Harrow Director of Field Hockey. "The National Club Championship provides an opportunity to showcase the best in amateur athletic performance and our goal is for field hockey players across America to aspire to be participants."

For media inquiries, please contact Ashley Meunier, USA Field Hockey Communications Manager, at ameunier@usafieldhockey.com, or at (719) 866-4365. Additional information regarding the USA Field Hockey team can be found online by visiting www.usafieldhockey.com.

Melanie Brill with the Harrow Titan and glove

Melanie Brill (center) picked up her first international cap yesterday in the second game of the USA / Canda field hockey series - using the Harrow Titan and glove!!

From USA Field Hockey -

CHULA VISTA, CA – The USA Women’s National Field Hockey Team pulled away with another win over Canada this afternoon in the second of a four game test series held in Chula Vista, California. Torrie Albini (Escondido, CA) scored the game winning goal with two minutes remaining, lifting USA to 3-2 victory.

“Canada brought the intensity far more than we did. We learned more today than in the first test match and that is what this series is about. Ultimately, we came out on top and that’s what counts for us in international competitions,” said Head Coach Lee Bodimeade.

Canada took an early lead when Diana Roemer fired a shot into the back of the net off of a penalty corner in the first four minutes.

USA evened the match 1-1, with a goal scored by Albini, her first career goal in an international competition. Shortly before the end of the first half, Canada was able to capitalize on another penalty corner with a direct hit by Katie Baker from the top of the circle.

Canada held the lead 2-1 going into halftime and for the majority of the second half. USA dominated play in Canada’s defensive twenty-five, with five corners and several scoring opportunities. Twenty-seven minutes in, Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, NC) scored her third goal of the series when she deflected a pass from Albini into the net. The score remained tied 2-2 until the final two minutes when Albini collected a pass from Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa) and drove a hard shot past Canada’s goalkeeper.

“Lee gave us a game plan to execute and it took us some time to get our bearings straight. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but we found a way to finish and took a step in the right direction towards our bigger goals down the road,” said Albini.

Pam Spuehler (Sudbury, MA) and Melanie Brill (San Diego, CA) both played in their first international match and received their first career cap.

North Carolina Field Hockey

East Chapel Hill High School won their 3rd consecutive NC Field Hockey Championship Saturday ( 11-6-10) and its, 7th Championship in the last 10 years. They defeated their cross-town rival Chapel Hill High School for the third time this season and the third year in a row in the State Championship game, By a score of 2-1



Thanks for your support of high school field hockey