NFHCA Executive Director and Board,
As conversations of systemic racism fill our public and private spaces we would be foolish to believe field hockey is not also complicit in perpetuating harm against Black and brown members of our community. The NFHCA publicly stated they are commited to listen and learn. As a group of concerned allies we seek concrete change to create a more diverse and inclusive sport. We write in support and amplification of the newly formed Black Field Hockey Network. We hope to listen and learn as a community from their requests and lived experiences. All members of our community must lean into our discomfort in order to make hockey less of a white space and, in turn, more welcoming to black athletes, coaches, umpires and friends of the game.
Obviously, field hockey lacks significant representation at all levels, yet visibility is glaringly needed at the top. As of 2019, the NCAA demographics database calculated that Black head coaches comprised 1.8 percent of the total population while assistant coaches comprised 2.2 percent and players comprised 2.1 percent. There are no Black head coaches at the Division I level or on the National team staff, our highest level of play. These sobering numbers will not grow without intentional and cordinated effort by our leadership.
The NFHCA has the unique opportunity to address this problematic lack of visibility through structural change. We affirm the Black Field Hockey Network’s initial policy request to spur change: the appointment of two permanent executive board positions.
Position 1: A Black Field Hockey Network Executive Member
Duties include:
- To be the chair of the Black Field Hockey Network (BFHN)
- Bring forward the initiatives and concerns of the BFHN
- Work with the board and staff to create and implement initiatives that increase Black representation in the sport
Position 2: A Diversity and Inclusion Executive Member
Given the current climate, this position should be held by a Black member of the NFHCA body for two terms (4 years). After that time, this position should be open to any self identified person of color.
Duties include:
- Chair the NFHCA Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Develop long term plans and mission statement
- Supports minority initiatives in the field hockey community
- Oversee the development of educational resources related to diversity and inclusion
Why do Black field hockey coaches/players need their own network?
In light of recent conversations with Black field hockey coaches, umpires, and colleagues, they have, unfortunately, shared painful experiences of racism and bias. Some of those experiences include: players or coaches showing up to practice in Blackface and making a mockery of Black people, being called the N word, constantly being asked how they got into field hockey—subtly inferring that this space is not for them, and being bombarded with questions about Blackness, thus being tokenized and used for others’ education rather than being able to focus on adjusting to college and their new team.
Have you experienced anything like this? Have you witnessed these macro and microagressions? Have you experienced oppression, bias, or prejudice in another way? All players deserve to focus on simply playing the game that they are passionate about. Currently, our Black colleagues are not afforded that privilege as they simultaneously are faced with the experiences above. Today, at the NCAA level field hockey is 84% White, 2% Black, and 14% "Other", with a similar disparity at the club level. The BFHN is a necessary support group that provides a safe space for black field hockey participants to learn, grow, and feel welcomed in this sport. (NCAA Demographics Database)
Why do Black field hockey coaches/players need spots on the NFHCA board?
The NFHCA needs Black board members to fully ensure equity, equality, and the implementation of diversity and inclusion measures. While allies are appreciated, underrepresented groups need members of their own communities in positions that can affect change. Ultimately, visibility is the first step towards inclusivity. The NFHCA must diversify and give a voice to the Black community through board member seats that will open doors for other underrepresented groups in field hockey.
Those signed below demand representation at the highest level of our sport through 2 new board positions. We invite all coaches to embrace our discomfort and learn together. In reality, there is no perfect way to tackle racism; yet the only wrong way is to do nothing. Ultimately, our efforts today will create a more welcoming and representative field hockey of the future.
Signed and supported,
Tara Zollinger, Phoebe Hopkins, Victor Brady, Jane Wells, Ashley Hoffman, Dina Rizzo, Katie DeSandis, Missy Meharg, Sandy Miller, Jordan Page, Leslie Smith, Shelly Morris, Megan Caveny, Annie Kietzman, Anika Goodhue, Gloria Nantulya, Jenna Tampon, Jamie Ginsberg, Laura Dalrymple, Caitlin Dallmeyer, Marci Scheuing, Kayla May, Grace Maliska, Allie Stein Fahlsing, Plunket Beirne, Tori Whitcher, Teresa Mathews, Jennifer Willis, Danielle Baumgardner, Christina Chappell, Bettiana Ceretta, Eliza Stein, Casie Ammerman, Regan Leavitt, Lauren Hauge, Courtney Enge, Tanya Nongera, Stacey Bean, Hanae Togami, Hannah Prince, Heidi Lewis, Katie Gerzabek, Catherine Green, Catherine Hayden, Kelee Lepage, Ali Campbell, Danielle Grega, Anne Smith, Noelani Schulmeyer, Jess Jecko, Courtney Deena, Kellie Joyce, Patricia Seeman, Roslynn Ellis, Jordan McKee, Caitlin Ashley, Kelsey Bing, Kelsey Smither, Taylor Dyer, Ali Harris, Ajai Dhadwal, Ian Tapsall, Lauren Malinoski, Michelle Finegan, Rennie Milne, Mallory Silver, Wendy Morris, Stephanie Bernthal, Erica Adcock, Britt Walker, Courtney Deena, Denise Zelenak, Jessica Mulhern, Ann Berry, Anna Crumb, Diego Caballero, Ali Johnstone, Heather Farlow, Tracey Paul, Colleen Cassada, Sarah Whitener, Haley Overstreet, Kayte Kinsley, Hannah Harris, Jen Averill, Mark Egner, Stacey Eversley, Brittany Hansrote, MaKayla Hancock, Rolf van der Kerkhof, Justine Sowry, Amber Auchenbach, Ally Mooney, Steve Jennings, Courtney Veinotte, Nicky Hitchens, Hannah Fisher, Meredith Spencer-Blaetz, Iain Byers, Nicole Hartranft, Sophie Riskie, Meghan Dawson, Shelly Novak, Nikki Kieffer, Bronwen Gainsford, Steve Danielson, Mary Werkheiser, Callie Lekas, Jill Dixon, Jody Schaefer, Trish Bonagura, Katharine DeLorenzo, Rebekah Hess, Hannah Dave, Charlotte MacDonald, Kelly Walker, Mary Moore, Bradi True, Katie Fost, Margaret McConnell, Rosanna McCormick, Shari Jones, Carley Shannon, Carly Zinn, Michelle White, Karen Nell, Alexis Kavanaugh, Diane Madl, Kaitlin Thompson, Jeanette Budzik, Alexandra McMahan, Melissa Gonzalez, Robyn Stahovic, Rachel Konowal, Nancy Bernardini, Brooke Good, Kelly Blackhurst, Katherine Bowie, Grace Goodbarn, Sally Scatton, Kelly Massino, Emily Dewdney, Tasia Dennis, Dani Castro, Michelle Webber, Candice Russ, Madelyn Cooper, Kristine Meader, Katie Frade, Danielle Brubaker, Madeleine Bettencourt, Cassidy Novello, Veva Kline, Clare Doyle, Marc Waldron, Bridgette Street, Jessica Bergen, Lindsay Strong, Maya Sullivan, Abigail Provost, Morgan Handwerger, Larissa Conolly, Katie Hopp, Krista Archambeau, Cecie Negron, Mary Spisak, Holly Heeb, Liz Sack, Rachel Gaines, Renee Toliver, Trae Toliver, Kristin Wirtz, Allan Law, Christine Knauss, Mary Denham, Naomi Laver, Kelsi Lykens, Laurel Martin, Kelly Klapcuniak, Kyle deSandes-Moyer, Ali Collins, Danielle Collins, Grace Kim, Imani Ruffin, Carla Lane, Alaina Madeline, Linnea Gonzales, Candy Cook Vance, Kristen McVaugh, Julia Young, Grace Marchosky, Carol Knerr, Catie Flemming, Rhonwen 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