Krista Jackson
When did you fall in love with field hockey? Ninth grade.
Why do you love coaching? I love sharing my passion for field hockey with others and helping them grow through the sport.
Where did you play and what position? University City High School, Davidson College (D1), and I played midfield.
What’s your coaching style? I thrive on positivity and fun energy. Working hard and having fun is when the best growth happens.
Amber Zimmermann
When did you fall in love with field hockey? Freshman year of high school.
Why do you love coaching? Connecting with athletes and seeing them grow. Being part of their journey and helping them love the sport and competition.
Where did you play and what position? Bonita Vista High School; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I played both midfield and defense.
What’s your coaching style? Focused and purposeful, but fun. Adaptable!
Bryanna Flanagan
When did you fall in love with field hockey? Middle school.
Why do you love coaching? Uniting the community and teaching new skills and life lessons through field hockey.
Where did you play and what position? Vista High School; University of the Pacific for a year, and local adult divisions. I play forward.
What’s your coaching style? Focuses on rewarding moments and creating a supportive community.
Shauna Whitney
When did you fall in love with field hockey? While playing at University City High School.
Why do you love coaching? I love creating connections with young athletes and watching them grow in both hockey skills and teamwork.
Where did you play and what position? University City High School, defense.
What’s your coaching style? Adaptable, focusing on individual needs and clear expectations both on and off the field.
Oli Bikhazi-Green
When did you fall in love with field hockey? At the age of 7 when I first started playing.
Why do you love coaching? To share my knowledge to help grow the love and passion for field hockey.
Where did you play and what position? In the UK growing up, and I played indoor in Canada. I am a center mid, but love being versatile.
What’s your coaching style? Technical and visual coach who emphasizes the importance of fundamentals.
Jamie Imperato
When did you fall in love with field hockey? 5th Grade
Why do you love coaching? To pass my love and knowledge for this game to players and to watch them grow every practice. If I can be a mentor, role model or positive influence on athletes, I’ve done my job.
Where did you play and what position? Helix Charter, Lasell College- defense
What’s your coaching style? Focused and intentional. Every moment has a purpose and no single moment is ever the same. I emphasize how we read the game from any position, making choices and finding the fun in the game, no matter the outcome.
Luca
When did you fall in love with field hockey? When I was 8 years old.
Why do you love coaching? It is awesome to see young players picking up new skills or knowledge of the game.
Where did you play and what position? Italy, forward and midfield.
What’s your coaching style? I find specific examples during practice or games to which the players can relate.
Julia Earley
When did you fall in love with field hockey? Seventh grade.
Why do you love coaching? I love passing my love of field hockey along to the younger generation and helping grow the game on the West Coast.
Where did you play and what position? Bentley University, defense.
What’s your coaching style? I am a supportive coach, encouraging the girls to be their best.
Emma “Sting” Giesting
When did you fall in love with field hockey? Freshman year of high school.
Why do you love coaching? Giving back to the sport and helping players gain accessible coaching opportunities.
Where did you play and what position? UC High, Myto, UC Davis.
What’s your coaching style? I am a goalie coach, who’s more serious and very technically oriented, as well as being motivational, and positive.
Mia Wiggins
When did you fall in love with field hockey? When I scored my first goal in freshman year.
Why do you love coaching? Giving back to the sport and community, helping players gain accessible coaching opportunities.
Where did you play and what position? UC High; Goucher College, forward.
What’s your coaching style? Laid back, focuses on one-on-one coaching, game tactics, and technical advice.
Nikki Olguin
When did you fall in love with field hockey? The summer of 2011 during the U-14 National Futures Championship in Virginia Beach.
Why do you love coaching? I get to share my love and knowledge with the next generation. Field hockey changes lives and brings people together.
Where did you play and what position? Mission Hills High School; Ohio Wesleyan University, midfield and center defensive mid.
What’s your coaching style? Differentiated, based on positivity, trust, and balance. It’s important to acknowledge varying learning styles.
Sally Olson
When did you fall in love with field hockey? I started playing in 3rd grade when my mom started the youth field hockey program in our town.
Why do you love coaching? Helping athletes build confidence, overcome challenges, and develop their skills is incredibly fulfilling.
Where did you play and what position? I played at Bucknell University and played center-mid and center back.
What’s your coaching style? To create a fun, positive environment where athletes feel supported while pushing themselves to improve and love the game.
Shannon Talbot
When did you fall in love with field hockey? In sixth grade.
Why do you love coaching? I love connecting with athletes and watching them grow and develop.
Where did you play and what position? Kent State University – Forward
What’s your coaching style? My coaching style is focused and technical, while creating a supportive and fun environment.
Claire Virkler
When did you fall in love with field hockey? When I first started playing in New York whilst in 7th grade.
Why do you love coaching? Providing others with the freedom you feel on the field, an amazing community, and building lifelong skills for our athletes.
Where did you play and what position? Shenendehowa High School in NY, ADK Field Hockey Club, and Bentley University midfield and defense.
What’s your coaching style? I am a positive, approachable and supportive coach.
Sereina Flanagan
When did you fall in love with field hockey? I fell in love with field hockey when I was in middle school after an undefeated season in 8th grade.
Why do you love coaching? I like to be able to pass down my own hockey experience and knowledge. I want to be someone that younger players look up to and help every player feel like the best version of themselves on and off the field.
Where did you play and what position? Initially at VIDA middle school, then Mission Vista High school and Myto during club season. I am a defensive mid but I am comfortable playing anywhere in the midfield and defensive area.
What’s your coaching style? To encourage players with positive reinforcement and enjoy implementing a gameplay mindset to challenge the athletes in practice.
Francesca Gaus
When did you fall in love with field hockey? I fell in love with field hockey when I started playing in Middle School with my best friend.
Why do you love coaching? To have a positive impact and be a role model whilst witnessing my players achieve their goals to develop into remarkable individuals through field hockey is incredibly rewarding. Being a part of their journey, by building confidence and discovering their potential.
Where did you play and what position? Rancho Buena Vista High School and the club Coastal Clash. I play any position but I love playing forward the most.
What’s your coaching style? My coaching style is democratic. I mainly work with younger students, I like to involve them in decision-making. I find they are more interested and engaged when they can share their opinions and ideas, especially if they are new to field hockey.
Jessica Moralez
When did you fall in love with field hockey? Middle School
Why do you love coaching? I love that I get to pass on information and lessons learned while trying to help athletes achieve more than what they believe is their potential.
Where did you play and what position? Mission Vista High School, Defense the most.
What’s your coaching style? I like to emphasize basic, fundamental field hockey, while also using a feedback system. Asking players what they think is working in practice, and what skills they think would be beneficial for them to learn. I also keep a supportive environment that encourages everyone to make mistakes, and not get discouraged by skill development.
Rachel Scheibel
When did you fall in love with field hockey? In middle school, the moment I touched a stick and started playing it was magic and I haven’t looked back.
Why do you love coaching? I love exposing players to this game! To see them grow their passion and skill for the sport. There is nothing better than when you give a correction on a skill to a player, they make the change, and it works.
Where did you play and what position? I played at Rancho Buena Vista High School, and I played club at UC Santa Barbara. Midfield.
What’s your coaching style? Playing should be enjoyable and an escape from the day. Creating a positive team environment in which players want to grow individually and together.
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