Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey is excited to announce the expansion of the Michigan High School Field Hockey League to include three new programs. The 2023 fall season will see 35 high schools take the field, as Grand Blanc, Hudsonville and Northville all plan to add field hockey.
Grand Blanc High School - Saginaw Valley Conference
Grand Blanc, MI
Grand Blanc Girls Field Hockey Mission Statement:
The primary purpose of the Grand Blanc Girls Field Hockey Team is to promote healthy self-esteem and a strong sense of community by teaching teamwork and physical development through the game of field hockey. Grand Blanc Girls Field Hockey is dedicated to the skill development, fun, safety, positive culture, and sense of love for each teammate.
Along with learning Field Hockey, GBGFH will strive to instill the values of sportsmanship, respect, teamwork, fair play and a love for field hockey, teammates, coaches and officials.
Grand Blanc Girls Field Hockey believes that sportsmanship is a way of life, and will conduct all activities in a manner that will set an example of good sportsmanship and friendly competition for our young female student athletes. Grand Blanc Girls Field Hockey is dedicated to promoting academics as much as the sport in a positive culture for all student athletes. GBGFH student athletes will have a positive, character-building experience. We will continue to thrive in the community and will support community growth. We are dedicated to making a difference in every step of this journey. Finally, we will strive to always achieve our motto:
“Be A Teammate vs. A Member of the Team”
We are so excited to introduce the sport of field hockey to Grand Blanc!
Grand Blanc has announced it's leadership team for the 2023 season. Check out Willow and Aubrey's video to learn more about how their leaders will support the growth of the program.
(Pictured)
Grand Blanc will be the 1st high school in the Saginaw Valley Conference to add a field hockey program.
Hudsonville High School - OK Conference
Hudsonville, MI
Hudsonville Field Hockey is forming a team this fall to provide an opportunity for more girls in West Michigan to expand their athletic options. Many players currently participate in Hudsonville Lacrosse (pictured), and have asked their coaches and their school district for the opportunity to try field hockey at their local high school.
Over the years, Hudsonville female athletes have requested help getting this program off the ground and into our district. Now, we are able to give these athletes the sport they are eager to both learn, and love.
The Hudsonville program will be open to all female athletes willing to travel out to Hudsonville -- not just to the Hudsonville High School student body. They are excited to offer this up and coming sport as a result of the strong level of interest from female athletes in the school district.
Our goal is to provide the resources for girls at all playing levels to receive appropriately skilled training during the school season. From beginners to more experienced players, we will find the appropriate placement for you within our program.
Hudonsville is looking for coaches with field hockey experience to help with skill instruction, demonstration, and practice drills. For any questions or information please reach out to us via email at hudsonvillefieldhockey@gmail.com!
Hudsonville will join East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills and Rockford as the 4th OK Conference Team to offer high school field hockey.
Northville High School - Kensington Lakes Activities Association
Northville, MI
Northville High School will officially join the MHSFHL for the 2023 Season. In 2022, Grace Gagliardi (now Head Coach) was approached by the Athletic Director of Northville who knew of her field hockey playing experience. Gagliardi played for four years at Skyline High School (Ann Arbor, MI) and was twice selected to the All-State Team. She went on to play collegiately at Central Michigan University, a NCAA Division I program. For Gagliardi, accepting the opportunity to start a program at Northville High School was the obvious choice.
"After just finishing my collegiate field hockey career, I was inspired to give back the sport I love so much by providing a positive and uplifting sport experience for those that were interested in playing field hockey. There were some students that were interested in the sport prior to my arrival and were able to organize and discover that over 40 young girls wanted to learn as well, and they just needed a coach, so that is where I came in. I was inspired to make these girls wishes come true and help them start a team."
Northville won their very first game against Dearborn High School's Junior Varsity squad, and they had five senior leaders on their inaugural 2022 club team.
As the team plans to officially join the league for the Fall of 2023, Coach Gagliardi hopes to have a great showing of girls so they can have two full JV and Varsity rosters. Gagliardi hopes to establish a true Varsity level program for Fall of 2023. She expects many girls from 2022's club season will return with new skills and more experience, as many have been playing in the off season.
Northville will be the 6th team in the KLAA to offer high school field hockey, joining Brighton, Dearborn, Hartland, Novi and Plymouth Canton.
The Michigan High School Field Hockey League is comprised of 35 field hockey teams, and is divided into 2 Divisions (determined annually by school size) and 4 Conferences: Catholic, KLAA, Independent and the SEC. The League runs 2 Divisional State Championships and offers support to all high school coaches through the Michigan High School Field Hockey Coaches Association at Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey.
There's still time to join the Michigan High School Field Hockey League for Fall 2023!
If you are interested in learning more about how to add field hockey at your high school, please send us an email at: info@glrfieldhockey.org, or contact the League Commissioner, Lorin Cartwright at: cartwril@gmail.com
READ MORE...Michigan as the Blueprint for Regional Field Hockey Growth
GLRFH is committed to growing field hockey at all levels and across all ages. We serve and support field hockey in the region by providing the foundation for a network of thriving field hockey communities.
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GLRFH is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to serve and support field hockey in the Great Lakes region by providing the foundation for a network of thriving field hockey communities.