Insights from Redwood Grant: Munson, Reynoso, Smeltz reflect on Transformative Year
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is proud to reflect on the successes of the 2024 Redwood Grant recipients: Julie Munson, Harriette Reynoso, and Lydia Smeltz. The Redwood Grant, an annual award designed to empower entrepreneurial field hockey coaches, provided each recipient with $3,000 in funding, waived registration fees to the 2025 NFHCA Annual Convention, and a year of mentorship to support their initiatives.
A heartfelt thank you to this year’s incredible mentors—Marci Scheuing (Kutztown University), Erik Enters (Neumann University), and Liz Tchou (USA Field Hockey)—who generously shared their time, expertise, and guidance with our recipients. Their mentorship has been instrumental in shaping the success of these projects and ensuring a lasting impact on the field hockey community.
Now, nearly a year later, we revisit the remarkable progress made by these dedicated individuals and the lasting impact of their efforts on their respective communities.
Lydia Smeltz: Expanding Opportunities for Athletes with Disabilities
As the leader of PA Revs All Starz, Lydia Smeltz has worked tirelessly to grow the game of field hockey for athletes with disabilities. The Redwood Grant provided essential resources to propel the program forward, helping to increase visibility and inclusion for these athletes on a national scale.
Through the grant’s support, members of the PA Revs All Starz leadership team attended the NFHCA Convention, where Maggie Kutz—the first female NCAA athlete with an intellectual disability—shared her inspiring story alongside members of Able Athletics. This exposure led to continued conversations within the collegiate coaching community on making field hockey more accessible to all athletes.
“Our PA Revs All Starz athletes are appreciative of opportunities to highlight their accomplishments and successes. Being able to share their stories on national platforms, like the NFHCA Convention, will open doors for our athletes,” Smeltz said.
Additionally, PA Revs All Starz has seen a ripple effect, with many of their “buddies” (volunteers assisting athletes) pursuing careers in special education, therapeutic services, and healthcare. Some have even initiated All Starz clinics on their college campuses. The mentorship provided through the grant was instrumental in guiding the organization’s strategic efforts, with mentor Marci encouraging them to seek opportunities that have opened new doors for their athletes.
Julie Munson: Elevating Mental Performance Coaching
Julie Munson, head coach at Southern New Hampshire University, utilized the Redwood Grant to turn 603 Coaching, LLC from an idea into action. Focused on mental performance training, Munson’s program helps athletes build resilience, manage nerves, and improve focus—skills that extend far beyond the field.
One of Munson’s key breakthroughs came through her mentorship with Liz Tchou, which helped her refine 603 Coaching’s mission and messaging. By articulating the value of mental performance training more clearly, she was able to reach more athletes and expand her client base.
“Every time I run a mental performance clinic, the content gets stronger, more refined and more impactful. Athletes are walking away with tools that they can use immediately on and off the field,” Munson said.
Each clinic she has conducted since receiving the grant has become increasingly impactful, with players, coaches, and parents expressing a growing interest in strengthening the mental side of the game. Munson emphasized that the mentorship process provided her with clarity—clarity in her vision, in communicating the purpose of her work, and in her plans for future growth.
Harriette Reynoso: Growing a New Field Hockey Club in Lakewood, NJ
For Harriette Reynoso, the Redwood Grant was a game-changer in launching a new field hockey club in Lakewood, NJ. With the grant funding, she was able to acquire essential equipment, officially register the club, and build valuable connections within the coaching community.
“The Redwood Grant afforded me crucial networking opportunities with fellow coaches, which proved to be the most valuable aspect of the funding. It enabled my attendance at the NFHCA convention, where I gained insights into effective club management strategies and developed meaningful relationships with coaches and leadership within the field hockey community,” Reynoso said.
However, one of the biggest challenges she faced was low initial participation. Determined to grow her club, Lakewood Field Hockey Club, she implemented a more strategic outreach strategy. These efforts paid off, increasing membership, primarily at the U14 level—a promising indicator for the club’s future sustainability.
Reynoso’s mentorship with Erik Enters proved invaluable, particularly when navigating facility challenges. His guidance, along with support from the NFHCA network, reinforced the importance of seeking assistance and leveraging available resources. Moving forward, she is developing a webpage to reach more players, including those who may not be able to afford club practice fees.
The Redwood Grant’s Ongoing Impact
The 2024 Redwood Grant recipients exemplify the power of field hockey as a vehicle for change—whether by fostering inclusivity, strengthening athletes’ mental resilience, or expanding access to the sport. Their work has set the foundation for continued growth, and the NFHCA is proud to support their efforts.
The Redwood Grant is powered entirely by donor generosity, with donations collected year-round to fund future initiatives. As we celebrate the success of our 2024 grantees, we encourage aspiring coach entrepreneurs to apply for the 2025 Redwood Grant, with a deadline of April 1. Apply here.
About the Redwood Grant:
The Redwood Grant’s mission is to support our remarkable community through meaningful connection. The grant was designed by our Sport Development Committee to not only give recipients funding to get their idea off of the ground, but to also provide structured mentorship and a community of support. Recipients receive funding, a one-on-one mentor, quarterly group meetings with guest speakers, and a community of people on whom to lean. If you have an idea, a field hockey business you want to grow, or an initiative in need of guidance and community, please apply here.