The United States Field Hockey Association
(USFHA) is the National Governing Body for
field hockey in the United States and is a
member of the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC), the Federation Internationale de Hockey
(FIH) and the Pan American Hockey Federation
(PAHF).
The mission of the USFHA is to:
* Foster and develop the amateur sport of
field hockey.
* Provide participation and development
opportunities for players, coaches,
officials and administrators.
* Prepare teams to participate in the
Olympic Games, Pan American Games and
other USOC-sponsored events, as well as
international competition sponsored by the
FIH and other national governing bodies.
* Represent the United States
internationally and domestically by
serving as ambassadors of goodwill and
setting a standard of excellence in
playing, coaching, officiating and
administrating.
USFHA has over 11,000 members, including
universities, colleges and high schools. USFHA
has programs designed to educate and promote
the sport of field hockey. USFHA operates
development camps at several locations across
the country for various skill levels. The
association has established a Development Grant
Program to promote and expand field hockey in
the United States. USFHA provides educational
materials and loans equipment to elementary and
junior high school age students across the
country. In conjunction with competition, USFHA
conducts umpiring and coaching clinics to
enhance their technical skills. USFHA
established a Disabled Sports Committee to
address the needs of the physically challenged
and introduce the sport to them. The Sports
Science Committee is dedicated to research and
research opportunities.
--------
USFHA History
In 1997, the United States Field Hockey
Association is enjoying its 75th year of
constitutional history.
The organization was founded in 1922, 21 years
after the sport was brought to U.S. shores by
Constance M.K. Applebee. From one small
preparatory school in Connecticut, the USFHA
has grown to include hundreds of clubs/colleges
and more than 11,000 members. The growth of the
sport and the organization has been impressive;
the scores of dedicated field hockey
enthusiasts who have developed the association
have proven invaluable. The natural growth has
happened through the combined efforts of all
involved.
In 1901, Applebee introduced the game to women
in the United States. Three years after "The
Apple" brought field hockey to America, she
became director of physical education at Bryn
Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. For the next 20
years, the American Field Hockey Association
(predecessor of the USFHA) was formed and
guided by Miss Applebee. The organization
existed primarily to publish official playing
rules.
By 1920, Applebee decided the "All-Philadelphia
Team" could compete favorably with the English
teams. Following extensive correspondences, a
pioneer group of 15 women set sail for Great
Britain on Oct. 21, 1920. The team returned
with a 2-8 record, which, one team member said,
"could have been worse."
The tour was proof U.S. hockey enthusiasts had
their work cut out for them, but they were
determined to work together to create a solid
standing for the sport in this country. In 1921
in Wellsley, Mass., a small group was named to
draw up plans for a national organization.
After several months of study, a meeting was
called in Philadelphia in January 1922. The
USFHA was officially formed and a constitution
unanimously accepted.
Nearly 100 women from 15 states -- including
California -- attended the historic meeting.
Today, USFHA members come from all 50 states.
As we look ahead to the 21st century, the USFHA
remains dedicated to keeping the sport alive
and thriving. The USFHA first applied to the
United States Olympic Committee for the single
National Governing Body franchise in October
1992. Originally, a merger between USFHA and
FHAA was proposed. However, a number of
alternatives for the consolidation was
considered and rejected by both USFHA and FHAA
representatives. The FHAA then also filed an
application for USOC membership. Following
discussion between the two groups -- with
support from the USOC Membership and
Credentials Committee -- the two organizations
reached an agreement on various issues. As a
result of the agreement, the FHAA withdrew its
application. The USFHA application was reviewed
at a public hearing Jan. 29, 1993.
Following the review, the Membership and
Credentials Committee determined the USFHA
should be recognized by the USOC as the sole
NGB for the sport of field hockey. At its Feb.
13-14, 1993 Board of Directors meeting in
Phoenix, Ariz., the USOC's membership voted to
recognize just one NGB for the sport of field
hockey. The 99-member board approved a
resolution submitted by the Membership and
Credentials Committee to recognize the USFHA as
the sole NGB, bringing field hockey into
compliance with the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
On April 1, 1993, the United States Field
Hockey Association was recognized by the United
States Olympic Committee as the sole National
Governing Body to oversee the sport of field
hockey in the United States. Since the
inception of the Field Hockey Association of
America in 1932 -- formerly the governing body
for the men's game in the United States -- they
had worked independently from the USFHA. In
1993, the two became one association, dedicated
to the development and promotion of the sport
in the United States.
"I am pleased the FHAA has officially joined
us," USFHA President Jenepher Price
Shillingford said. "We are supporting two elite
teams -- one for women and one for men -- and
are pursuing the growth and development of the
game together. Now that the FHAA and the USFHA
have come together under the banner of the
United States Field Hockey Association, we are
dedicated to supporting the two national teams,
creating opportunities for the development of
field hockey and using everyone in the
organization to showcase the sport in the best
possible way."
History / Equipment / Glossary / Rules
Back