Early Bird Registration Opens for 2027 NFHCA Annual Convention

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Early Bird registration is now open for the 2027 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Annual Convention, set for January 12–15 at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary in Lake Mary, Florida.

The NFHCA Annual Convention brings the field hockey coaching community together for professional development, connection, on-field learning, and celebration. Coaches can take advantage of the lowest available registration rates by registering during the Early Bird period, available through October 5.

Register and explore 2027 Convention details.

What Separates the Best from the Rest

The 2027 Convention will bring an international perspective to the keynote stage with Marieke Dijkstra, an accomplished Dutch coach and former national team player, presenting What Separates the Best from the Rest.

Dijkstra knows what it takes to perform at the highest level. She captained the Netherlands to its first Indoor Hockey World Cup title in 2007 and, eight years later, led the Dutch women to another world championship as head coach. Her coaching career has included men’s and women’s teams at the highest level of European club hockey, roles within the Dutch national team programs, and multiple domestic and European championships. Since 2021, she has served as head coach of Den Bosch, one of Europe’s premier women’s clubs.

In her keynote, Dijkstra will examine the moments that often separate winning from losing and how elite teams prepare to perform when the pressure is highest.

Using game footage and examples from international and elite club competition, she will break down critical game situations, including protecting a lead, chasing a game, responding after a goal, managing the final minutes, and playing with a numerical advantage or disadvantage.

The session will go beyond tactics to explore how the world’s best teams make decisions, define roles, communicate, and establish team agreements for high-pressure situations.

More Coaching. More Conversation. More Connection.

Dijkstra is just the beginning of the 2027 educational lineup.

This year’s podium and on-field programming will bring together accomplished coaches and leaders from across the collegiate, international, and professional game. Among some of the coaches scheduled to contribute are Wake Forest head coach Jen Averill, Olympian and Wake Forest assistant coach Jackie Briggs, Babson head coach Julie Ryan, Penn head coach Scott Tupper, Olympian and Villanova associate head coach Karlie Kisha, and Virginia assistant coach Carerra Lucas, with additional speakers and session topics to be announced over the coming weeks.

Convention attendees can also expect the return of Coaches for Coaches Roundtables, creating dedicated space for coaches to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn directly from colleagues navigating many of the same challenges across the profession.

Celebrating the People Who Move the Game Forward

Education is only part of the Convention experience.

Annual favorites return in Lake Mary, including the NFHCA Coaches Appreciation & Awards Lunch, powered by FieldTurf, and the NFHCA Hall of Fame Reception & Awards Dinner, sponsored by AstroTurf.

The Hall of Fame celebration will recognize the 2026 NFHCA Hall of Fame class and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient while bringing the coaching community together for one of the organization’s signature evenings of the year.

AstroTurf returns as the Signature Sponsor of the 2027 NFHCA Annual Convention.

One Trip. Two Premier NFHCA Events.

Convention week once again leads directly into the NFHCA Winter Escape Showcase, which begins January 15 at the Boombah Sports Complex in Sanford, Florida.

For collegiate coaches, the back-to-back schedule provides an opportunity to move directly from membership meetings, professional development, and connection at Convention to one of the nation’s premier field hockey recruiting events.

The 2027 Convention schedule and event details are available now, with the complete speaker lineup, educational session titles, and additional programming to be announced throughout the next month.

Early Bird registration is available through October 5. Register early to secure the best available Convention rate and make plans to join the field hockey coaching community in Lake Mary.

Register for the 2027 NFHCA Annual Convention.  

2027 NFHCA Annual Convention

The 2027 NFHCA Annual Convention incorporates NFHCA membership meetings, on-field educational sessions, a variety of speakers, the NFHCA Hall of Fame reception, and multiple opportunities for attendees to connect with their colleagues. The NFHCA Annual Convention is where coaches from all levels gather yearly to connect, learn, and grow.

The 2027 NFHCA Annual Convention will take place between January 12 — 15, 2027 at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary in Lake Mary, Florida. NFHCA members can register for the event online.

AstroTurf® is the Official Sponsor of the 2027 NFHCA Annual Convention and The Scoop newsletter. With more than 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.