COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – For many field hockey athletes and aficionados, the holiday season kicks off in conjunction with National Hockey Festival. The biggest amateur field hockey event in the world, presented by CranBarry, commences on Thanksgiving Day and returns to Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, AZ for another year of holiday, hockey fun. The event runs November 24-27, and will attract nearly 8,000 visitors to the local area.
“Festival is truly a unique event and the largest of its kind,” said Karen Collins, Director of Events and Logistics. “We are excited to be returning to Phoenix and are looking forward to a great weekend of sunshine and competitive hockey. This year we have incorporated additional elements to make the experience more premier, entertaining and enjoyable for all.”
For the past twenty-seven years, athletes, parents and college coaches have foregone the traditional Thanksgiving celebration of parades, feasts and football to be a part of the largest showcase field hockey event in a warm and sunny climate. More than 700 field hockey matches, played on 18 different fields, will take place over the three day weekend. In addition to athletes and their families, an estimated 150 college coaches will be in attendance and eyeing players for a possible spot on a future college roster.
A new dimension has been added to this year’s event. For the first time, USA Field Hockey will be hosting an exhibition game showcasing current NCAA field hockey coaches versus members of the Men’s and Women’s National Team. The match will take place at 5pm on Friday, November 25. The objective is to add a high level of competition and entertainment for the 4,000 participants and their families to enjoy.
Members of the Women’s 2011 Pan American Team and 2008 Beijing Olympic Team will be on site throughout the weekend for autograph sessions and photo opportunities. Additional activities have been planned to make the overall Festival experience a gigantic fiesta.
“We are excited to be hosting the Festival again this year and are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the Valley of the Sun,” said Jon Schmieder, President of the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission. “We have an experienced event team in place that is unified in our goal of putting on the best top-tier events our country has to offer. The event takes legions of people to make the experience exceed expectations. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Staff, Arizona Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and the City of Scottsdale are just a few of the members of our team that have stepped up to make this event possible. We look forward to a great Festival!”
For more information of the National Hockey Festival, visit the event homepage at www.usafieldhockey.com.
