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What’s Waiting for You at the 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention

Oct 15, 2025 | 2025-2026, Featured Stories, News

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention, sponsored by AstroTurf©, is more than a professional gathering—it’s where field hockey coaches unite, ideas spark, and the game moves forward. From inspiring keynote sessions to on-field instruction, meaningful networking, and celebrating impact, every moment is designed to help you invest in yourself, your team, and your sport.

Join your coaching community in Lake Mary, Florida, in January 2026, for education, celebration, and connection.

Fernando Ferrera
Sarah Darrenbacher

Convention Keynote Spotlights

Building the Attack: Systems and Solutions in Possession
Learn from international Olympian Fernando Ferrara, Head Coach of the Argentina Women’s National Team, and Martu Loncarica, Head Coach at the University of Richmond, as they share the tactical understanding and adaptability required to create a dynamic attacking style of hockey. This keynote will highlight how purposeful possession, creativity, and system clarity work together to generate quality scoring opportunities.

Fulfillment-Driven High Performance
Performance strategist Sarah Derrenbacher of Evolveability® shares her proven framework that connects personal, relational, and tactical performance. Drawing from her work with NCAA programs, professional athletes, and Fortune 500 teams, Sarah will help you unlock new ways to lead, reduce friction, and align your team for sustained success.

Classroom Sessions Designed for Every Coach

From technical drills to leadership strategies, this year’s breakout sessions will strengthen your coaching foundation and expand your toolkit.

  • Tactical Problem Solving: Join a moderated session led by the NFHCA Sport Development Committee where coaches collaborate on real-time game challenges and share solutions.
  • Technical & Tactical Insights from the USA U16/U18 Junior National Cycle: Join Stacey Bean, Head Coach at VCU, and Ali Johnstone, Head Coach at Ohio University – both assistant coaches with the USA U-18 Women’s Junior National Team – as they share key technical and tactical points of emphasis from the 2024–25 Junior National Team selection and training cycle.
  • Creating Tactical Identity & Awareness: Building a System That You’re your Team: Olympian Jill Reeve, Roger Williams University Head Coach, explores how to develop a tactical model that reflects your team’s strengths, personnel, and program philosophy.
  • Building Effective Goalkeepers: Emily Snowden, founder of The Goalie Trainer, dives into the development process from beginner to college-ready athletes. This session delivers insight into what skills matter at each stage, how to coach them effectively, and what to look for when identifying next-level potential in the recruiting process.
  • Mastering the Red Zone: A special session designed for scholastic and club coaches, Kasey Tapman Asper, University of Maryland Associate Head Coach, and Katie Gerzabek Salem, Towson University Head Coach, deliver strategies for both attacking and defending the circle with confidence and precision. 
  • Recruiting Strategies for College Coaches: Learn practical insights from Tudor Collegiate Strategies on optimizing your recruitment plan.

On-the-Field Ready2Coach Sessions

Experience tactical and technical sessions led by elite coaching minds, including Phil Edwards (Path Coaching Co, Rutgers University Technical Director), Megan Frazer (Stanford University Assistant Coach), Tjerk van Herwaarden (Harvard University Head Coach), and Barb Weinberg (UMass Head Coach). These hands-on sessions bring strategies to life with live demonstrations, interactive learning, and immediate takeaways you can apply to your own program.

Community & Celebration Highlights

  • Hall of Fame Celebration: Honor the newest class at the 26th Annual NFHCA Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement Reception & Awards Dinner.
  • Coaches for Coaches Roundtables: Join conversations that tackle real challenges, share perspectives, and shape the future of the game.
  • Coaches Appreciation & Awards Lunch, sponsored by FieldTurf®: Celebrate coaching excellence and the colleagues who make an impact every season.
  • Exhibitor Hall: Explore the latest products and innovations from more than 25 exhibitors dedicated to supporting coaches and athletes.
  • Winter Escape Showcase: Experience the energy of 108 teams competing in this premier recruiting event January 16 – 18 at Boombah Sports Complex.

Pre-Convention Opportunity

USA Field Hockey will host a Level 2 Coach Certification course on Tuesday, January 13, before Convention programming begins. This certification is a great way to advance your coaching education while you’re already in Lake Mary. Registration details will be available soon.

Invest in Yourself and Your Game

The NFHCA Annual Convention is where ideas become action. Whether you’re refining tactics, recharging your motivation, or reconnecting with peers, this is your moment to celebrate what coaching makes possible.  Scholarships are available!  Apply here by November 10.

Learn more and register. Secure your spot and join us in Lake Mary this January to unite, learn, and lead together.

 

AstroTurf

 

AstroTurf is the Official Sponsor of the 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention. With over 50 years of experience and millions and millions of square feet of synthetic turf in use worldwide, AstroTurf products bring more technological expertise and real-world know-how to the game than any other brand.