Did you know - field hockey is the third most popular sport in the world?

Field hockey is played on a rectangular field, 100 by 60 yards, called a pitch or field. Players use field hockey sticks to move a ball up the field and score on the opposing team’s goal. Players can only push or hit with the flat side of the stick.

There are 11 players per side, including a goalkeeper. Positions include forwards (attackers or strikers), midfielders (middies), defenders (backs), sweeper (cover or back), and goalkeeper (goalie). A game consists of four 15-minute quarters.

At the youth level, the size of the field, number of players per side, and length of game varies by age-based divisions.

For more information, see USA Field Hockey’s comprehensive guide Field Hockey 101.

Lowell Youth Field Hockey is open to all Lowell youth in grades 1-8.

Home games will likely be held at Carvalho Turf Field at the Cawley Stadium Complex. Away games will be played in local cities and towns participating in the Baystate Youth Field Hockey league.

Practices are still TBD, but will likely be played on grass fields due to the limited availability of the turf fields.

Field hockey players need the following equipment:

• Field hockey stick

• Goggles

• Shin guards

• Mouthguard

LYFH does have a limited supply of field hockey sticks for players to borrow for the season, as well as shin guards. Players are required to provide their own goggles and mouthguards.

Field Hockey is played in the Fall season. Games will be on Sundays starting the weekend after Labor Day and ending the weekend before Veteran’s Day. There will be no games schedule for Indigenous People’s Weekend in October.

While it does vary a bit by age group, all games are played on Sundays. Some ages will have one weeknight practice per week while older teams will hopefully practice twice a week. Schedules will be released in August.

Stay tuned - we are currently working to determine a registration fee that is fair for players but also covers all the organization’s expenses. Our goal is that every child in Lowell who wants to play youth field hockey has the opportunity to play, so we will offer scholarships as needed and within our capability to provide.

Your registration fee pays for league dues, field fees, equipment costs, referee payments, uniforms and administrative costs like insurance, filings, website, etc.

We are always looking for donations and sponsorships that can help defray some of the costs and reduce the player registration fee. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting LYFH.

LYFH is a community-based, volunteer-run organization - and we are always looking for support! Whether you are able to volunteer, donate, or are looking to become a sponsor, we’d love to hear from you. More information found here.