Field Hockey Coach Perspective
My name is Dana Hubbard and I have been this is my third year as the Varsity Field Hockey coach.
Field Hockey is the sport that is most impacted by playing surface. Turf fields provide a fast surface for the ball to move on and players acquire more technical skills to handle the ball on turf surface. Most schools in our region that play and practice on turf fields are able to master the technical skills of our sport. Our players are at a huge disadvantage not having these upgraded surfaces. Our team must travel off site to practice on a turf field and must transport our equipment and goals to practice. Turf fields also provide a safer, even surface. A grass field is very uneven and causes the ball to change speed or direction, which can create a dangerous situation where a player can get seriously hurt. Turf provides a consistent field that is safe for all players to use.
Weather also has a huge impact on our season. Inclement weather is a part of coaching especially in northern Virginia. Every season, we lose practice days due to rain. Our current grass practice fields become unsafe when wet and we are unable to practice. On rain days, in order to practice we must find space indoors, cover our sticks, and work on minimal stick skills, which puts us behind other teams. With a turf field, we would be able to practice in wet conditions and weather would not have a significant affect on our schedule.
A turf field would make a huge impact on the West Potomac Field Hockey team as well as the community in general. It would allow players, parents and fans to enjoy a safe, skilled game that is played on our home field. Parents and fans would not have to worry about cancellations or traveling to a school with turf when inclement weather occurs.
Please support the Turf West Potomac initiative!
Dana Hubbard
Varsity Field Hockey Coach
Field Hockey is the sport that is most impacted by playing surface. Turf fields provide a fast surface for the ball to move on and players acquire more technical skills to handle the ball on turf surface. Most schools in our region that play and practice on turf fields are able to master the technical skills of our sport. Our players are at a huge disadvantage not having these upgraded surfaces. Our team must travel off site to practice on a turf field and must transport our equipment and goals to practice. Turf fields also provide a safer, even surface. A grass field is very uneven and causes the ball to change speed or direction, which can create a dangerous situation where a player can get seriously hurt. Turf provides a consistent field that is safe for all players to use.
Weather also has a huge impact on our season. Inclement weather is a part of coaching especially in northern Virginia. Every season, we lose practice days due to rain. Our current grass practice fields become unsafe when wet and we are unable to practice. On rain days, in order to practice we must find space indoors, cover our sticks, and work on minimal stick skills, which puts us behind other teams. With a turf field, we would be able to practice in wet conditions and weather would not have a significant affect on our schedule.
A turf field would make a huge impact on the West Potomac Field Hockey team as well as the community in general. It would allow players, parents and fans to enjoy a safe, skilled game that is played on our home field. Parents and fans would not have to worry about cancellations or traveling to a school with turf when inclement weather occurs.
Please support the Turf West Potomac initiative!
Dana Hubbard
Varsity Field Hockey Coach