USA Field Hockey continues a long-standing holiday tradition Thanksgiving weekend when the sport's national governing body conducts its annual National Hockey Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California from 23 until 26 November.
The world's largest amateur field hockey event, the 2006 Festival features 217 teams with athletes representing 28 states. The Festival also includes international squads from Australia and Canada. The more than 3500 athletes will compete for titles in Women's Age Group (Under 16 and Under 19), Women's Open and Mixed (co-ed) divisions and will play 686 games on 25 fields during the event.
The Under 19 tournament is the Festival's largest division with 140 teams competing for 20 pool championships. In addition to providing a showcase for the sport and the chance for athletes to compete against players from across the country, the Festival allows prospective college athletes an opportunity to perform before a gallery of collegiate coaches gathered from some of the nation's top programs.
One of the Festival's most competitive divisions, the Open Division features U.S. Olympians such as Jill Reeve ('96) of Detroit Club, Sheryl Johnson ('80, '84, '88) of NorCal and Katie Beach ('96) and Laurel Martin ('96) of Red Rose. In addition, Open Division rosters feature current and former National Team players as well as current collegiate coaches and all-America selections competing for top honors.
The event marks the 11th time California has hosted the Festival. Indio and the Empire Polo Club entertained the tournament in 2003, 2002, 1997 and 1995, while Irvine ('87, '88, '90, '93) and Long Beach ('83, '84) also played host to the event. Competition runs throughout the day during the four days of the Festival with games beginning at 7:00 (9:00 on Sunday). Final games of the day are scheduled for 15:00 (12:00 Sunday).
Originating as the National Sectional Championships and national team selection tournament in 1922, the Festival adopted its current multi-divisional format in 1981 by introducing tournaments for high school-aged players, club and open teams.
Additional information on the Festival, as well as teams, results and rosters is available on the USA Field Hockey Festival website at www.usfieldhockey.com/festival
