LET'S GO!


WHAT
Coed youth field hockey

WHO
For current 3rd - 6th graders, boys and girls

WHEN
Sunday afternoons from April 20 to June 1, 2025
3:30pm to 5:30 PM
(No session on Sunday, May 25)

WHERE
On the turf at New England Sports Park, which is near the CCBA in Lebanon, NH

HOW MUCH
Cost is $50. Includes our awesome t-shirt!



Have questions?
becky@freerangefieldhockey.com

Ready to play?
Register online

Parents are welcome—nay, highly encouraged—to drop off and go. Enjoy a walk/run/bike on the nearby rail trail, errands in town, or just enjoy being kid-free for two hours.

PHILOSOPHY

When my son was young, we gathered neighborhood kids each week for something we called "Sunday Soccer," two hours of pick-up soccer at the field down the street from where we lived. We encouraged anyone with a love for soccer to come, parents included, and it grew from just a few kids to a couple of dozen people reliably showing up on Sunday mornings to PLAY. There was little structure, just some soccer balls, two nets, and a set of pinnies to help distinguish the teams. There was no referee, nobody kept score, and we just played for multiple hours--kids and parents alike, trying new moves, getting creative, and having fun. This is that idea, adapted for field hockey.

THE GOAL

The goal is to give players some mostly-unstructured time and space to learn, play, and love field hockey. Knowledgeable coaches will provide some instruction and general supervision but the main purpose of these sessions is just to get the kids playing field hockey. We'll spend the first half hour or so getting warmed up and sharing tips, and the remaining hour and a half or so will be spent scrimmaging. Kids will be divided into two even-strength teams based on whoever is present on a given day, letting them try all the positions to help learn and understand the game from every place on the field.

FAQ

  1. Wait, so you're saying the kids just play?
    Yes! Actually, there will be some expert coaching and instruction at the beginning of each session. Having good fundamentals, after all, is important. But most of the time will be spent on good old-fashioned play and letting the kids have fun.
  2. What equipment does my kid need?
    All your kid needs is a stick and a pair of shin guards (soccer shin guards are fine). Mouthguards and eye cages are optional. If your kid is a goalie and happens to have goalie gear, then feel free to bring it. We'll also have some goalie gear on hand.
  3. Who runs this—the CCBA? New England Sports Park? The Lebanon Rec Department? Someone else?
    Free Range Field Hockey is an independent entity that rents the playing space and runs the show. We're local Lebanon residents. It is not run by the CCBA, New England Sports Park, or the Lebanon Rec Department. That said, the turf we play on is owned by New England Sports Park, and the general grounds are owned by the CCBA. Please be respectful of the facility.
  4. Why don't I recognize any of the kids in your background image?
    That's because it's an AI-generated image. Spring 2025 is our very first year doing this. We're just getting up and running, so we don't have any real "photo testimonials" yet. But as soon as we get rolling, we'll replace that background with a real photo.
  5. If you're so "free range," then why are adults involved at all, huh?
    Very astute question. When it comes to field hockey, we think there's a slight exception to be made because field hockey is just an objectively better sport on turf than on bumpy, lumpy New England ground. If the kids are going to play on turf, someone with a checkbook needs to rent the space.
  6. Will there be any D1 college scouts or Junior Olympic scouts in attendance?
    No, D1 college scouts and Junior Olympic scouts won't be in attendance. Your kid can just play without worrying that a bad shot or a mishandled pass will sink their entire future.
  7. This sounds awesome! My kid wants to play. What do I do?
    Register using the link at the top of this page. If you run into any problems or have any questions, write to: becky@freerangefieldhockey.com.