NFHCA Honors Pinnacle Field Hockey With Inaugural Club Coaching Staff of the Year Award
Manahawkin, NJ — The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) was pleased to honor Pinnacle Field Hockey with the inaugural Club Coaching Staff of the Year award, sponsored by Performance Sports Events. Keely Tamer, the current owner of Pinnacle FH, accepted the award on the club’s behalf during last week’s Coaches Appreciation Lunch, sponsored by FieldTurf as part of the 2025 NFHCA Annual Convention. The NFHCA Club Coaching Staff of the Year recognizes a deserving club coaching staff that has demonstrated exceptional teamwork, expertise, programmatic development, and performance.
Pinnacle Field Hockey, under the leadership of Keely Tamer and an exceptional coaching team featuring Nancy Cox, Kristi Gannon, Tamara Durante, Corey Block, Taryn Damm, Abbey Burnett, Emmy Tran, Claudia Keen, Kelsey Chun, Kate Brondyk, and Andrea Shaner, is dedicated to advancing field hockey in Michigan. Their mission emphasizes inclusivity while nurturing athletes who exemplify compassion, communication, courage, and confidence.
Pinnacle’s Impact:
- Expanding Accessibility: Runs free clinics in underrepresented areas of Michigan to introduce and expand access to the sport.
- Infrastructure Development: Working to establish a high-quality turf field at the Legacy Center in Brighton, MI, through Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey.
- Leadership and Development: Leads Michigan State Chapter of USA Field Hockey.
- Performance: Secured a top ten finish in the U16 division and a top 15 finish in the U19 division at the 2024 USA Field Hockey National Club Championships.
- Coaching Clinics: Facilitates virtual coaching clinics through Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey to enhance coaching skills across the state.
Pinnacle’s success is reflected not only in its titles and championships but also in its lasting legacy of empowering young athletes. The club has consistently contributed players to NCAA Division I, II, and III programs, with 99% of these athletes graduating from their collegiate careers. Notably, Abby Tamer, an Olympic athlete, and Pinnacle alumna, became the first Michigan player to represent the state in Field Hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite operating in a state with limited high school programs (36 teams), Pinnacle athletes continue to compete and excel at the highest levels. The club’s commitment to inclusivity and its mission to grow the sport remains the foundation of its success and legacy.
About Performance Sports Events
Performance Sport Events (PSE) was founded to advance the professionalism and growth of field hockey nationwide. With over 38 years of history, PSE began as White Mountain Sports, one of the first major field hockey camps in the U.S., setting a strong foundation for the sport’s development. In 2016, PSE launched Shooting Star Tournaments to meet the demand for high-quality showcase events on synthetic turf. Starting with a Thanksgiving tournament, Shooting Star has grown to host 10 nationwide events for athletes of all ages, from U10 to Masters (35+). Officially established in 2024, PSE remains committed to delivering professional, inspiring, and authentic experiences for the entire field hockey community, continuing to shape the sport’s future with excellence and innovation.
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.