What are the WHYFH League player expectations?

As long as your child comes to every practice and works hard, we strive to be fair and equitable with play time.

The League is divided into five divisions:  

• The Mini Sticklettes Division is for incoming kindergarten and 1st graders.
• The Sticklettes Division is for incoming 2nd and 3rd graders.
• The Junior Division is for incoming 4th and 5th graders.
• The Senior Division is for incoming 6th and 7th graders.
• The 8th Grade Team is for incoming 8th graders.

Mini Sticklettes Division:  The goal of this division is to introduce the basic fundamentals of field hockey through fun drills and mini games.  Practices are once a week at the Miracle League field. No uniform is needed.

Sticklettes Division:  The goal of this division is to introduce the basic fundamentals through drills and skills.  We will teach some basic positioning and basic rules of the game in a 6 vs. 6 set up.  There is one practice per week at KP or Conard and one game per week on  Sundays at Conard on the turf. Score is not kept but games are refereed. Pinnies and red/white socks are required for games.

Junior Division:  The Junior Division is development based, and will focus on skills, drills, and intramural play.  There will be one to two practices per week at KP, Conard, or Hall and one game per week on Sundays at Conard on the turf. The format of games will be 7 vs. 7 with a circle. Score is not kept but games are refereed.  All parts of the uniform (pinnie, red/white socks, navy skort or shorts) are required.

Senior Division:  The primary goal of this league is to build on the foundation that the players learned (to grow and love) over the past few years. The Senior Division will play full field (100X60) with a goalie (11 vs. 11).  Similar to the Junior Division, the Senior Division will be development based, but will focus on higher level skills (and some strategy) and drills.  In addition, the Senior Division will consist of both intramural and interscholastic play. There will be two practices per week at KP, Conard, or Hall and one game per week on Saturdays at Conard on the turf. Score is not kept for intra-league games. Depending on availability, there might be some away games for each  team as well. All parts of the uniform (pinnie, red/white socks, navy skort or shorts) are required. 

8th Grade Team:  The 8th Grade Team is for all incoming 8th graders. Like the Senior Division, the 8th Grade Team will continue to focus on higher level skills and drills in preparation for interscholastic play at the high school level. There will be two practices per week at KP, Conard, or Hall and games on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The team will be playing other towns and therefore some travel is required. Home games will be either at KP or Conard. Uniforms are provided, which must be returned at the end of the season.

How long is the field hockey season?

The season will begin in late August and will end in early November.

What is WHYFH's refund policy?

West Hartford Youth Field Hockey will refund the registration payment, minus the processing charge, if you withdraw your child prior to the first practice. If you withdraw your child within the first two weeks of the beginning of the season, WHYFH will refund you 50% (again, minus the processing charge). 

How early do I bring my child to their game?

20 minutes prior to the game, dressed and ready.

What equipment does my child need? 

The player is responsible for having a stick, mouth guard, and shin guards.  Protective eyewear is optional. The rules state that girls cannot wear any jewelry - including earrings and rope/string bracelets. Jewelry/earrings may NOT be taped.

What does my child wear for games? 

Players in the Sticklettes Division must wear a league reversible pinnie and red/white socks to games. Players in the Junior and Senior Divisions must wear a league reversible pinnie, red/white socks, and a navy blue skort or shorts. Teams will be red or white depending on whether they are the home or away team and therefore both red and white socks are needed.

Families may purchase uniforms at the following link: https://sartorius.tuosystems.com/stores/whyfh. In addition, please visit our Uniform Swap page to see if any previously used items are available that would fit your player. Socks and bottoms may also be purchased at a store or vendor of your choosing.

Players on the 8th Grade Team are provided uniforms at the start of the season which must be returned at the end.

Players in the Mini-Sticklettes Division have no uniform requirements.

What should I look for when purchasing a stick? 

Our recommendation for the size of the field hockey stick is approximately 1 1/2 inches below your child's hip bone.  Most sticks come in 1/2 inch sizes.  Composite sticks are preferable, as they give the child more power and control. 

In the event that your child is not with you when purchasing a stick, please use the following as a guide when choosing the stick size for your child.