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Sports

Girls Junior Field Hockey Offers Introduction and Love of the Sport

Sixth- to eighth-graders from Warren, Watchung and Green Brook can register until Aug. 26.

The Junior Field Hockey League was formed nearly 10 years ago to give girls a fun introduction to the sport, and now, some of those girls will be helping to coach the latest group to join.

Amanda Trumpore, who started in the league when she was in seventh grade, is now entering her sophomore year at Watchung Hills Regional High School. She and other high school students are returning this year to help coach the sixth- to eighth-graders, who have until Aug. 26 to register.

"It's supposed to be learning and having fun and low level competition," said Amanda's mom, Heather, who will be assisting the teen coaches. "That's what it's all about."

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Amanda, who plays goalie in field hockey and lacrosse, was happy to learn about the sport before entering high school.

"You got the basics down so you didn't go in (at the high school level) not knowing what you were doing," said Amanda, who volunteered to coach when she heard there was a need. "When I played, we always had girls from the high school come and help."

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She appears to have an approach for working with the younger players, including her sister Lauren.

"When you play, you kind of forget what other people don't know," she said. "They might not understand it the way you do. (As a coach), you have to think more technical and different ways to explain it."

Having teen coaches is great, but the league also is seeking adults willing to volunteer their time, said Maria Bachert, the Watchung Recreation Director and manager of the players from Warren, Watchung and Green Brook.

"We're looking for people that want to help, even if they know nothing about the sport," said Bachert, a Warren resident and the varsity field hockey coach at Watchung Hills.

When the league began, it was mostly players from Warren and Long Hill playing games against each other. Now, the league also includes Watchung and Green Brook, she said, and Branchburg and Chatham also are trying to form teams. Other towns, including Berkeley Heights, also are offering junior field hockey programs.

"There was nothing in our area for younger kids," said Bachert of the league's creation. "It's really helped expose the sport to the girls."

The program has done more than simply expose girls to the sport, it has instilled a love for the game. Bachert, also the, noted that many of the girls continued to play in high school and some of the first girls in the league still play in college.

Residents of Watchung, Warren and Green Brook, can register with the Watchung Recreation Department.

Long Hill's program takes sixth- to eighth-graders. Berkeley Heights accepts participants in grades 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 who live in Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Mountainside. Bernards Township also offers a spring program for residents in grades 3 to 5 and 6 to 8. People can check with the appropriate recreation department for registration, equipment requirements, the play schedule and other information.

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