Champions Field Hockey Camp builds winners

Forty-six field hockey players from five Delaware and Maryland high schools took part in the annual Champions Field Hockey Camp July 11-15 at Champions Stadium on the Cape Henlopen campus. Players from Cape, Sussex Central, Sussex Tech, Smyrna and Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Md., participated in the four-day event where participants learned ball control skills, dodging, dribbling, defensive footwork and tackling, passing, shooting, and offensive and defensive strategy. Campers played in 7-on-7 as well as full-field games.

Former Cape and UMass standout Izzie Delario is the camp director. Helping her as coaches were former Cape players Maggie Delp, Tess Bernheimer, Erin Coverdale and Lexi Gooch. West Chester goalie and present Caesar Rodney coach Brittney Stewart is responsible for mentoring the goalkeepers. Cape coaches Kate Austin and Debbie Windett are camp coordinators.

“After I completed the Champions Field Hockey Camp last year, I was destined to return this summer,” said rising sophomore Taylor Smith. “The competition here is great between fellow teammates, which gives me the chance to play, work hard and perform at my very best. Learning new plays, practicing them and perfecting them with elite and college-level players will give me skills that I can use throughout my whole entire field hockey career.”

 “The Champions Field Hockey Camp offered me a great opportunity to improve my field hockey game,” said camper Amanda Sponaugle. ”We focused on all aspects of field hockey, including both the mental and the physical game. I learned that being a good field hockey player isn't just about having amazing skills, but more about having a good attitude and being driven to always do your best. Not only did I learn skills at the camp, but I also had a great time.”

For more information on Champions Field Hockey Camp, email coach Debbie Windett at wwindett155@gmail.com.