Nardin's New Field Hockey Club

Lucy Rados '25 ~ September 2021

Nardin is an all-girls high school. Shouldn’t it, therefore, have the mostly girls sport of field hockey? It now does.

Amara Okoro '23 had asked Nardin administration for a team, but it did not work out. So, last year, Alexa Janca '24 and Giuliana Falletta '24 asked Mr. Baudo, the Athletic Director at Nardin, if they could start a field hockey team. They sent out an interest form to the student body, and this year, two weeks into the start of school, the team began.

Their head coach is Amy Fuchs, who played field hockey at Duke and also coaches Nardin’s JV lacrosse team. She is looking forward to the season, and especially thinks Nardin deserves a field hockey team because it is a sport predominantly played by girls.

The team is a club this year, and though the season is shorter than other fall sports (ending on October 19), the players are looking forward to their four games against Sacred Heart and Buffalo Seminary.

The team practices twice a week at the Kevin T. Keane Sports Park, and though many are new to the sport, everyone enjoys it.

“I have never played field hockey before, but am loving it so far,” Natalie Kimball ‘23 says.

The team is also a great community.

“Everyone is very friendly and willing to help others learn the game,” Kimball says.

Coach Amy Fuchs is excited for this season.

“I am looking forward to all of these players to learn new skills, to love the game, to want to come back next year, to tell their friends about it, and develop a great sense of teamwork and develop the Nardin spirit of sportsmanship,” Fuchs says.

Chloe Smith ‘25 is also looking forward to this year.

“I’m most looking forward to learning a new sport [as] I’ve never actually played field hockey before,” Chloe says.

This new club at Nardin is turning out to be a fantastic team, and hopefully the first of many years to come. The coach is certainly hopeful.

“The players so far are very dedicated, really athletic, they’re smart, and I just really think they will be great leaders on the team,” Fuchs says.

Fuchs also knows that this team would not have been possible without the Athletic Department and all the girls who showed up, and she is very happy to be able to share this sport which has been a big part of her life.

Title Photo: Alexa Janca