Chaos Field Hockey Club Receives NFHCA Redwood Grant
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The National Field Hockey Coaches Association has announced Shannon Skavelli, founder of Chaos Field Hockey Club, as the 2026 recipient of the NFHCA Redwood Grant, an annual initiative designed to support coaches who are building sustainable and meaningful impact within the sport.
Launched in 2022 through the vision of former NFHCA Vice President of Sport Development Chrissy Summers, the Redwood Grant reflects the interconnected strength of redwood trees. The program invests in coach-led initiatives through funding, mentorship, and community support, with a focus on expanding access and strengthening local field hockey ecosystems.
Skavelli’s selection recognizes both the need and the opportunity she has identified in New York’s Hudson Valley region. The Chaos Field Hockey Club is a youth-focused program serving Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, where access to structured field hockey opportunities for athletes at the U8, U10, and U12 levels remains ripe for growth.
“Thank you so much—it is truly an honor to receive the NFHCA Redwood Grant,” shared Skavelli. “At Chaos Field Hockey, we are passionate about growing the game of field hockey in our local community and creating more opportunities for young athletes to learn and love the sport. We feel incredibly grateful to receive not only this grant, but also the mentorship and guidance over the next ten months. We are excited for this journey and look forward to learning, growing, and continuing to make a positive impact through field hockey.”
Across the region, youth field hockey participation is rising, fueled by the success of local initiatives such as the Westchester Youth Field Hockey League and the Hudson Valley Summer League. However, opportunities for consistent training, skill development, and competitive play have not kept pace with demand. Many athletes rely on short seasonal programs or limited play days, creating gaps in development and long-term engagement.
Chaos Field Hockey Club aims to address these challenges by establishing a local, developmentally appropriate club model. The program prioritizes consistent training, experienced coaching, and accessible pathways for progression, while reducing barriers related to travel, cost, and time. Skavelli and her coaching staff bring experience from high school, collegiate, and club levels, positioning the program to deliver both foundational skill development and a positive, competitive environment. “The mission is deeply personal” shared Skavelli. “We have seen firsthand how access to the sport can shape confidence, development, and a sense of belonging. Every athlete deserves the opportunity to play, grow, and be part of a team.”
In addition to financial support, the Redwood Grant provides recipients with a 10-month mentorship experience. This year’s mentor, Naoma Green, owner and president of Apex Field Hockey, will guide Skavelli through key areas such as program development, sustainability, and growth strategy. The mentorship component has become a defining element of the grant, offering recipients access to experienced leaders within the sport.
Some of the past mentors have included Ainslee Lamb, President and founder of Performance Sports Events, and Phil Edwards, founder of Path Coaching Company and current Technical Director for the Rutgers Field Hockey program, both of whom have contributed to shaping scalable, community-centered models for field hockey development.
The Redwood Grant is powered entirely by the generosity of the field hockey community and administered by the NFHCA Sport Development Committee. Recipients are selected from a competitive pool of applicants who demonstrate both a clear vision and the capacity to create lasting impact. Projects supported by the grant often focus on expanding access, strengthening local infrastructure, and building sustainable pathways within the sport.
Skavelli’s initiative reflects each of these priorities. By investing in early-stage development and prioritizing accessibility, Chaos Field Hockey Club seeks to strengthen the youth pipeline and create a more connected field hockey community across the Hudson Valley.
A former standout at the University of Michigan, Skavelli earned NFHCA All-Region and All-Big Ten honors during her collegiate career. She was also awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2015–16, recognizing her significant and selfless contributions to her community.
Now, through the support of the Redwood Grant, Skavelli is channeling that same commitment into building opportunities for the next generation.
As the Redwood Grant enters its fifth year, it continues to serve as a catalyst for coach-driven innovation, reinforcing the NFHCA’s commitment to fueling the future of the sport by investing in those doing the work on the ground.
Each Redwood Grant recipient receives $2,500 to support their initiatives, waived registration fees for the NFHCA Annual Convention, and the opportunity to engage in meetings and mentorship sessions throughout the year.
The Redwood Grant is made possible entirely through the generosity of NFHCA donors, and contributions are collected year-round to continue supporting ambitious coaches like Scavelli.
