Mascoma Valley Regional High senior captain Makenna Houston is working to make field hockey more accessible to children in her community.
With no middle school team this season because of low numbers and no rec program available, young athletes in the district have had few opportunities to play.
So now, Houston is offering free, 90-minute clinics for children interested in the sport. The first session was held Saturday at Huse Park in Enfield, and four more are scheduled through Nov. 8.
A conversation with her younger cousins, who were unable to join a team, inspired Houston to act.
“The sport really just means a lot to me and to my community,” Houston said. “Our program at the high school has been competitive for the past few years, and I would hate to see that fall apart.”
The clinics, open to all ages, are being run in partnership with the Mascoma Youth Sports League, where Houston first played field hockey as a third grader.
Todd Thompson, Enfield’s recreation director and a league representative, has supported the effort by promoting the clinics, arranging field time and providing equipment.
“We used to have field hockey at the youth level, but that kind of went away with interest and volunteers,” Thompson said. “When Makenna approached me saying she wanted to run some clinics to get kids and parents excited about field hockey again, I said absolutely.”
Community response has been overwhelmingly positive. In September, Houston posted her idea in a Canaan community Facebook group, drawing more than 800 likes, over 40 comments and nearly 60 shares.
“I think it’s great that she’s willing to do that,” said Danielle Pushee, Mascoma’s head coach. She noted that field hockey has “fallen by the wayside” locally as soccer has grown in popularity.
“I think it will be helpful for the kids to see someone as positive as Makenna,” Pushee said. “She’ll have a positive effect on some of these young girls who can look up to her and see how much she enjoys the sport.”
Houston said she hopes the clinics help rebuild interest. “Maybe getting a few of these kids together will spark the numbers for the youth programs and the middle school,” she said.
Thompson said if participation grows, field hockey could return to the Mascoma Youth Sports League in the future.
“With interest usually comes volunteers,” he said. “If we could get one team with maybe 10 to 15 girls — usually we do third- and fourth-graders together and fifth- and sixth-graders together — that would be enough to start playing games against other towns.”
Those interested in future clinics can register at https://tinyurl.com/2hxr8j8u.
Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Oct. 18, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Shaker Recreation Park in Enfield; Oct. 25, 10–11:30 a.m., at Shaker Recreation Park; Nov. 1, 10–11:30 a.m., at Huse Park; and Nov. 8, 10–11:30 a.m., at Huse Park.
