WALTHAM — There’s nonetheless a month to go earlier than subject hockey groups get into preseason practices, however among the MIAA’s finest squads from final fall are already turning into gear amongst each other this summer time.
As a part of yet one more large displaying on the Elite Field Hockey Camp at Bentley University, six full varsity groups and a wide range of gamers from throughout the state are collaborating this week within the second session of the in a single day camp’s bonanza of talent growth, team-building and aggressive video games in a collegiate surroundings. Watertown, Acton-Boxboro, Danvers, Natick, Dover-Sherborn, Stoneham, Melrose, Hopkinton, Durfee and Belmont are a number of of the packages with heavy involvement this week, boasting among the roughly 250 student-athletes to make the most of the possibility to get additional time on the sector collectively earlier than the season begins.
“What’s exciting this session specifically, we have a lot of MIAA recent playoff (contenders),” mentioned camp director Meg Bozek. “They have the majority of their varsity squads and JV squads, so to be able to play a month before preseason and add all of the competition together in an environment where it’s both fun and competitive is really advantageous for these teams. … Right combination of high-level coaches that provide not only the hockey but the fun side of team bonding.”
Tuesday marked the third day of the four-day camp week, the place particular person gamers or groups get the possibility to work out collectively on the college’s fields, get instruction from a wide range of skilled coaches and present collegiate athletes, after which put all of it to a take a look at at night time in a round-robin event. Most of the round 800 student-athletes that take part over the camp’s three weeks choose to remain in a single day within the dorms, additionally giving them an additional likelihood to bond.
This week’s turnout options among the finest packages from final yr, and a few squads like Danvers even ship the junior varsity gamers. Reigning Div. 1 champion Andover is anticipated to ship fairly a couple of gamers subsequent week, too.
The influence of the camp, which has been round for over 30 years, not solely extends into the upcoming season, however leaves an enduring impression. Perennial playoff contender Natick all the time sends a workforce, and this yr some alumni from their 2019 senior season are again to assist coach.
They’re set on attempting to unfold the advantages they obtained from the camp again of their highschool days.
“Each year (we did it),” Carolyn Greenland mentioned alongside former teammates Brooklyn Lamb and Erin Quirk, all of whom play collegiately. “It was awesome, I learned so much, honestly. … I think it was really good to learn skills and stuff, and be with the team. It was great for team bonding.”
Quirk added: “A lot of other camps are individual based, so you go by yourself or with some friends. This one, when you go with your whole team and you can play with your whole team, it’s really good to get used to playing with each other. Team bonding is really awesome.”
If a program sends a full workforce, that workforce doesn’t prepare amongst others through the two classes three of the 4 days maintain. They solely play towards one another in video games at night time.
But for as nice because the coaching is earlier than the season begins, a lot of the emphasis is on the expertise of the camp. Certain awards are handed out all through, together with a spirit award wherein groups can get artistic with their apparel to point out off their unity. Some gown in Hawaiian shirts, different had bathing fits over their garments.
“The goal of this camp is to make it a fun team experience with the combination of field hockey skills,” Bozek mentioned. “They do team bonding in the evening, but also being coached by Div. 1, 2 and 3 coaches is really cool.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com