Champions Field Hockey Camp schools 60 young in-person players
Weirdville in the wide world of sports has descended on the pandemic planet like plankton churning in the ocean currents. The Rona is rocking in the free world. We can't see it, just know it is us. Sports venues, leagues and schedules are shut down globally, except inside the bubble-wrapped venues of the NBA and NHL, and in baseball stadiums where cardboard cutouts get the best seats.
Last week, the Champions Field Hockey Camp hosted 60 athletes divided into two groups: grades one through five and grades six through eight.
The Windetts – Kate Windett Austin and her mother Debbie, both of whom have led Henlopen teams to state titles – run the camp. Current and former Cape players provide the coaching and officiating. Masked and socially distanced families are allowed to watch from outside the fence.
Camp coaches Cami Smith, Sam Connors, Emma Duffield and Mack Brown led first- through fourth-graders. Riley Klopp and Sierra Manifold coached the fifth- and sixth-grade group. Reagan Ciabattoni and Noelle Sabbagh were in charge of seventh- and eighth-grade athletes.
Former Caesar Rodney field hockey coach Brittany Stewart worked with goalies, while former Cape player and Grass Roots Rescue girl Karli Crenshaw also helped out.
On Aug. 5, a hurricane with an unpronounceable name, Isaias, blew through Delaware with embedded tornadoes. Gov. John Carney declared a state of emergency, but the next day, the hockey campers were back on the field doing skills and drills, and ending the afternoon with actual games.
The backdrop Aug. 6 at camp was not discussion of the storm's aftermath but a livestreamed DIAA meeting that resulted in pushing scholastic sports to a condensed three seasons beginning with winter sports in December. Hockey will start in February.
The reaction under the Cape canopy was barely perceptible.
“Our outlook on being positive is we get six months to get better. That could be very scary,” said Debbie Windett.
She added, “DE Turf is running a fall league for high school and middle school kids starting in September. It will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The games will be officiated. We just asked kids to let us know if they want to play.”
Cape is also planning Sundays for instruction and small games for grades K through 8.
“We submitted [the plan] to the district for approval. [Cape AD] Kevin Smith said to send it to the campers, as he thinks it will be approved. We’re just trying to keep sticks in their hands. Our team will teach, coach and officiate,” Windett said. “We are still waiting for guidance from the DIAA as to what we can do.”
The parents and kids left Champions Stadium Friday afternoon as happy campers. Everyone got a certificate and a lollipop. The kids can all play remarkably well and just want the opportunity to keep on playing.
