Field Hockey: An Exciting Game

To the Editor:

Four years ago our daughter started playing field hockey for Newtown High School. Not only had we rarely watched the sport, but after a few games we surely did not understand it. In the beginning we went to the games because we felt it was a parent’s duty to support their child and the team; we now attend the games for very different reasons. We have learned that field hockey is a fast paced, skill-laden and exciting game. The young women that play this game are just as dedicated to their sport as any athlete in any other sport at the High School. They are happy about winning and do not like to lose, but always give 100 percent to the task at hand.

Newtown Field Hockey continues to lack a feeder program at the elementary and middle school levels so most of the athletes have never picked up a stick until freshman year. Our girls frequently play schools in the SWC that have more experience and skills because of this.

Two years ago Newtown hired a new field hockey coach, Kathy Davey. In hiring Coach Davey we got an entire family. Coach Davey has given her time, energy, friendship, knowledge, and dogged determination to making Newtown Field Hockey a competitive, skilled team. Kathy and her husband, Russ, have worked with each girl to improve their skills, attitude, and build confidences in their ability to compete and win. This same attitude has also been instilled in the Rookie and JV Teams. Newtown won more games this year than any other and advanced to the Class L States for only the second time in 20 years. Four members of the Nighthawks Field Hockey Team were selected to the All Colonial Team and two of the All SWC Team.

Newtown played Simsbury this week in a Class L opening round State game. Simsbury was the #1 ranked team in the Class L. The game went 60 minutes with no score, then three more ten minute overtimes before Simsbury finally won in a shoot out. We watched about 40 Newtown parents, some there without a daughter on this year’s team, cheering and supporting these young ladies with pride. The team played with heart and soul and will always be winners in our minds. Thank you coach Davey for what you have given our daughter, the team, and the entire town. You should be proud of what you and the team have accomplished this year. The future of Newtown Field Hockey is bright and we look forward to being there next year to witness more exciting Nighthawk games.

Bruce and Joan Reynolds

16 Palestine Road, Newtown                                       November 10, 2000