“The Next Play”: A Field Hockey Film Tackling Mental Health, Sisterhood, and Resilience
Manahawkin, NJ - May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of emotional well-being. This year, a new film is set to bring that vital conversation to center field — literally. The Next Play, an upcoming feature film set in the high-stakes world of Pennsylvania high school field hockey, will begin production this July in the Lehigh Valley. A story rooted in sport but driven by heart, The Next Play explores the complexities of mental health, team dynamics, and identity, all through the lens of a female athlete.
At the heart of the film is Reese, a perfectionist and star athlete struggling to uphold her family’s legacy on a faltering team. Surrounded by pressure — from her demanding mother, relentless coach, draining boyfriend, and underperforming teammates — Reese’s world is turned upside down when Cait, a mysterious and gifted newcomer with a troubled past, joins the team. What unfolds is a layered story of connection, disruption, and emotional discovery — one that reveals how much lies beneath the surface of a game.
Produced by sisters Katina and Koula Sossiadis, the film draws deeply from personal experience. Koula’s daughter currently plays at Haverford, and together the creative team brings a powerful authenticity to the portrayal of the sport and the athletes who play it.
“As a team of sisters who serve as both the writers and directors, we believe we are the ideal individuals to bring this film to life due to our firsthand experiences,” they shared. “We’ve witnessed our daughters deal with the complexities of team dynamics, providing us with valuable insights into the day-to-day interactions and hardships they face.”
The filmmakers are passionate about sparking a larger conversation around mental health in youth sports. “Lecturing and talking at kids can only get you so far,” the Sossiadis sisters said. “With the use of visual media like film, we believe we will create a conversation at another level about mental health in sports. We want to make a change!”
That mission has already garnered the support of several major partners. The Next Play is backed by mental health advocacy organizations such as Morgan’s Message, The Hidden Opponent, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Lehigh Valley). From the earliest stages, St. Luke’s Hospital has been a lead sponsor, recognizing the film’s commitment to wellness and community care.
Moravian University, where much of the filming will take place, is another major sponsor. The school’s soon-to-open HUB — the first WELL pre-certified building in the Lehigh Valley — has been thoughtfully designed to promote student wellness in every form: mental, physical, and academic. Set to become the heart of the student experience at Moravian, the HUB exemplifies the university’s commitment to holistic well-being.
Additional support has come from field hockey-centered brands and organizations including YOLO Sportswear, Hocsocx, Performance Sport Events, Female Athlete News, Longstreth, STX, Wrappit Wrappit, and Zero, a local tech company. The filmmakers are also working with area high schools to showcase local talent and highlight the vibrancy of the Lehigh Valley’s field hockey scene.
At its core, The Next Play is a grassroots effort — a female-led, sports-centered, emotionally rich project with a soul. As filming kicks off, the production is still seeking donors and sponsors to help close the gap on remaining financial needs.
During this Mental Health Awareness Month, you can support the making of this important film — one that brings visibility to the emotional lives of young female athletes — by donating or funding the project directly at:
https://thenextplaymovie.com/#donation
https://thenextplaymovie.com/#fund-our-project
This is more than a movie about field hockey — it’s a rallying cry for awareness, empathy, and change.
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.