March 22, 2026
MANY THANKS to all East Irondequoit families with girls in grades 3-6 who participated in our EHS Field Hockey Sunday Indoor FH Sessions at Laurelton-Pardee gym this winter. It was great fun for our coaches and high school players to work with your daughters. We know that several of the new young FH players greatly enjoyed their experience with us and possibly would like to continue with field hockey. Below is some information that you may find helpful:
Local Clinics / Camps
EVOLVE FIELD HOCKEY: We highly recommend Evolve Field Hockey for year-round elementary field hockey clinics offered at a reasonable price. They also offer weekly specialized FH camps and travel teams for a range of age groups. Most activtities take place at the TSE Indoor Turf Facility at 435 West Commercial Street in East Rochester.
NAZARETH UNIVERSITY: Usually offers a summer field hockey camp that includes younger for players (ages 7-18)
EASTRIDGE FIELD HOCKEY: Our Lancer Field Hockey program tries to offer at least one outdoor field hockey experience for young players in the spring or summer. We will keep you posted if we are able to schedule activities that would benefit your young field hockey players. For East Irondequoit FH players entering Grade 6 in Fall 2026 through to players entering Grade 12 in Fall 2026, we will offer FREE Tuesday & Thursday early morning workouts all summer at EHS in July through to midAugust. We will contact families when dates and times have been confirmed!
A FEW FIELD HOCKEY STICK PURCHASING GUIDELINES
A field hockey stick can always be borrowed for Lancer field hockey activities. However, if you wish to purchase a FH stick, below is some useful information:
Used FH sticks can be purchased locally at Play-It-Again Sports in Henrietta. We also find used sticks at Good Will stores and on eBay
New FH sticks can be purchased locally at Dick’s Sporting Goods or online.
Brands we recommend include STX, Grays, TK, Osaka (though other brands are also acceptable).
A good quality middle school/high school stick should cost $80-$90 (or more). Elementary sticks can often be purchased for $50 or less.
If possible, we recommend middle school players have a “composite” stick (not wood… though wood is acceptable for elementary school players)
Make sure the stick is not labeled “INDOOR” (“indoor” sticks are thinner and lighter, and do not hold up as well when playing outdoors on turf), An indoor stick will usually have an “i” in the product number.
SIZE
Having a stick that is the correct size will help you to better execute your skills.
Ideally your stick should come up to the top of your hipbone, but depends on personal preference. Stick lengths typically range from 24”-38”
A slightly longer stick will improve your reach while a shorter stick will improve stick handling skills.
WEIGHT
Field hockey sticks range from about 535g to about 680g in weight. This typically depends on personal preference. For example:
Lighter weight sticks are typically designed for attacking players which allow for a quicker backswing and stick skills.
Heavier weight sticks are typically designed for defensive players and can help to add power and distance in your hits which is ideal for clearing balls and passing.
COMPOSTION
Carbon: Adds stiffness to the stick. The higher the carbon percentage the more powerful your hits will be. A stick with less carbon will improve control and make trapping easier. Sticks with higher levels of carbon tend to be more expensive.
Aramid: Adds durability to the stick and absorbs vibrations sent through the stick when striking and receiving balls.
Fibreglass: Many field hockey sticks still contain some level of fibreglass. It adds strength, durability and feel to a stick. These are less rigid than carbon-heavy sticks making them more forgiving. Fibreglass is similar to carbon but more economical.
Wood: Some players still prefer to use wooden sticks. Wooden sticks improve control when dribbling and receiving. More affordable and ideal for young beginners. In fact, it is suggested that elementary players start with wood or lower levels of carbon and work their way up as they progress.
ONE FINAL POINT… Make sure the stick does not have an “i” in the product number. An “i” indicates that it is an indoor FH stick and not suitable for outdoor play.
