Tina Edmonds: A Volunteer Leader Committed to Growing the Game
Manahawkin, NJ - As National Volunteer Month begins to wind down, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) proudly shines a spotlight on Tina Edmonds—a decorated player, respected coach, and dedicated volunteer whose leadership and passion have helped shape the sport at every level.
Tina’s journey began in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where she picked up a stick at age eight and never looked back. She found her stride in middle school with the Firestyx Field Hockey Club, where she spent six years helping her team capture numerous indoor and USA Field Hockey Festival championships. Her development continued through the USA Field Hockey Futures program, ultimately earning her spots on the U-16, U-19, and U-21 National Teams. A standout high school career—capped with a state championship, a runner-up finish, and All-American honors—propelled her to the University of Maryland, where she played under coaches Missy Meharg, Tjerk Van Herwaarden, and Marybeth Freeman.
At Maryland, Tina was part of a powerhouse program that won back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2005 and 2006. She was named team co-captain her senior year and earned First Team All-ACC and NFHCA All-American honors. She earned dual degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology, later completing her master’s in Athletic Counseling at Springfield College — all while helping lead the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to its first A-10 Championship season as an assistant coach.
But Tina’s impact didn’t stop at playing and coaching—she turned her focus to service and advocacy, stepping into a vital role as the NFHCA’s first Club Coach Representative, a position she held for four years. “I enjoyed learning about the NFHCA community and growing the sport in any way I can,” Tina reflects. “As the first club coach representative, it was interesting to watch the development and growth of the Winter Escape Showcase.”
Tina’s leadership helped bridge the gap between the club and collegiate communities, bringing valuable insights to the table and strengthening the NFHCA’s broader reach. She also served as Chair of the All-American Committee for the West Region and gained a deep appreciation for the organization’s behind-the-scenes work. “I had no idea how much work goes into everything involved with the NFHCA,” she shared. She credits mentor Jenn Goodrich for encouraging that journey: “Jenn was open-minded to change within the organization, especially when it came to expanding NFHCA’s efforts to support club events.”
Her perspective as the founder and club owner of Texas Pride continues to fuel her belief in the value of NFHCA involvement. Texas Pride has become a national powerhouse in the youth development landscape, producing top-tier athletes who shine at the collegiate and international levels. Notably, Kelsey Bing, 2024 Olympian and current U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper, played with Texas Pride before her collegiate career at Stanford University. This fall alone, 13 Texas Pride athletes will suit up for NCAA field hockey programs, adding to a growing list of alumnae who have made their mark in the college game and beyond. The success of Texas Pride reflects the increasing strength of the field hockey pipeline emerging from Texas, a state now recognized as a contributor to the sport’s growth.
Today, Tina remains an active coach, most recently helping lead Texas Pride to a second-place finish at the 2024 U19 National Club Championship—a proud moment that sits beside her back-to-back NCAA titles as one of her most memorable field hockey accomplishments.
The NFHCA is honored to recognize Tina Edmonds as a leader, mentor, and volunteer who continues to make a lasting impact on the field hockey community. Her service reminds us that when passion meets purpose, real growth happens—both in sport and in life.
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The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.