Start a
Field Hockey
Club
Whether you're building a competitive travel club, launching a youth program, forming an adult league, or growing the game in your community — USA Field Hockey is your partner from day one.
Why Register with
USA Field Hockey?
Find Your
Club Type
USA Field Hockey supports a full spectrum of club models — from grassroots recreational programs to elite travel clubs. Every club type has a place in our national structure.
Travel clubs provide elite player development and compete in regional and national tournaments. Typically operate with tryouts, multiple age-group teams, and dedicated coaching staff.
- Participate in USAFH-sanctioned tournaments
- Eligible for National Club Championship
- Access to USAFH Rankings
- Coach credentialing support
Youth clubs introduce the sport to players ages 6–18 in a fun, inclusive, development-first environment. Ideal for communities building a pipeline for high school and travel programs.
- FUNdamentals & beginner programming
- School & community partnership opportunities
- Access to USAFH Youth curriculum
- No tryouts required
Adult clubs serve collegiate, post-collegiate, and Masters-age players (35+) looking to continue playing the game they love. Format ranges from casual recreational to competitive adult leagues.
- Indoor and outdoor play options
- Masters National Championships eligibility
- Adult recreational league structure
- Fitness-forward programming guidance
A local league organizes structured competition among multiple clubs or teams within a city, county, or metro area. Leagues may serve youth, adult, or mixed-age populations and operate indoors or outdoors.
- USAFH sanctioning for official league status
- Scheduling and bracket management tools
- Liability coverage for league events
- Pathway to regional and state competition
Statewide leagues coordinate competition across an entire state, serving as the primary competitive pathway below regional and national events. Often affiliated with or operated by the state USAFH chapter.
- Official state chapter coordination
- Feeds into regional & national qualifying
- State championship event hosting
- Eligible for USAFH programming support
Grassroots clubs plant the sport in new communities — school groups, park & rec programs, faith organizations, and underserved areas. If your community doesn't have field hockey yet, this is your starting point.
- USAFH Grassroots equipment grant eligible
- Simplified registration pathway
- Mentor club support program
- Introductory coaching resources
How to Start
Your Club
Registering with USA Field Hockey is a straightforward process. Here's what to expect from first contact to fully active club status.
Identify the type of club you're forming — youth, adult, competitive travel, recreational, or league — and decide on your organizational structure (nonprofit, LLC, informal association). Review USAFH guidelines for your club category to understand requirements and benefits before applying.
⏱ Before You RegisterVisit usafieldhockey.com and create a primary administrator account for your club. This account will serve as your club's hub for registrations, event entries, membership management, and communications.
🔗 usafieldhockey.com/registerComplete the Club Registration form with your club name, primary contact, address, and club type. Designate a Club Administrator and at least one SafeSport-trained personnel. Pay the annual club registration fee based on your club category.
✅ Required AnnuallyAll coaches, administrators, and adult volunteers must complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport training. This is mandatory for all USAFH-registered clubs and is non-negotiable for the protection of athletes. Background screening through the USAFH system is also required for adult participants who work directly with minors.
🛡️ Mandatory for All AdultsOnce your club is approved, add athletes as members through the club portal. Each athlete must hold a current USAFH membership. Coaches should hold appropriate USAFH coaching credentials or be enrolled in a credentialing pathway — resources are available through the USAFH Coach Education program.
👥 Per SeasonReach out to your state USAFH chapter (you're on their site right now!) to learn about local leagues, sanctioned tournaments, state championships, and chapter resources. Your chapter is your closest partner for day-to-day club support.
📍 You're Already Here!With registration complete, your club can enter USAFH-sanctioned events, access insurance coverage, appear in the national club directory, and begin building your program. Annual renewals keep your club active each season.
🏑 Active Club StatusClub & Athlete
Membership Options
USAFH memberships are annual and cover both the club entity and individual athletes. Visit usafieldhockey.com for current pricing and to register.
Required for every player participating in USAFH-sanctioned events, tournaments, and leagues.
- USAFH liability insurance at sanctioned events
- Eligibility for all national & regional events
- Access to USAFH athlete resources & development tools
- National rankings eligibility
- Digital membership card
Official club registration with USA Field Hockey — required to enter sanctioned events and appear in the national club directory.
- Official USAFH registered club status
- National club directory listing
- Club insurance coverage for sanctioned activities
- Access to USAFH club administrator portal
- State chapter affiliation & support
- Equipment grant eligibility
Required for all coaches working with athletes at USAFH-sanctioned events. Includes access to USAFH coach education programs.
- USAFH coaching credential pathway access
- Coach education clinics & resources
- Liability coverage at sanctioned events
- SafeSport compliance tracking
- Background screening facilitation
Current membership fees and pricing are listed at usafieldhockey.com. Contact your state chapter for information on fee assistance programs.
Common Questions
About Starting a Club
Ready to Build
Something Great?
Your community is waiting for the game. Let's grow field hockey together — one club, one season, one player at a time.