ascendfieldhockeyclub

Meet Co-Founder, Alaina Neal! The Driving Force Behind Ascend FHC

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:46:51 GMT

Meet Co-Founder, Alaina neal!

Alaina grew up in a military family--thank you, Mom and Dad, for your service!--and participated in a wide-range of sports from soccer to ice skating to flag twirling until moving to Virginia. In 7th grade, she heard of this weird sport called "field hockey" and decided to go to a 3-day camp to learn the basics. She then tried out for her middle school team and made it!

Since the beginning, Alaina has been a defender--which means you'll often hear her emphasizing principles of individual defense, the importance of communicating, and working together as a unit.

Off the field, you can find Alaina at UVA, where she is the Associate Director of Emergency Management, at a nursery getting plants for her garden, on a run with her husband, or at Lowe's getting supplies for her next home project.

At Ascend, you'll find her working most closely with our U14, U16, and U19 age groups.

Summer Skills and Game Sessions

Fri, 22 May 2026 19:20:51 GMT

Are you new to field hockey? An experienced player looking to try out new skills in a welcoming and encouraging environment? Someone wanting to meet others who like field hockey as much as you? Ascend Field Hockey Club’s Skills & Game Sessions are perfect for players of all levels! These sessions are the heart of our summer programming, bringing together intentional skill development and live game play in a format that is as competitive as it is enjoyable. Our goal is to provide every athlete the opportunity to sharpen their game and put it to the test, all in one session.

What to expect

At Ascend, we believe that summer is the perfect time to explore new sports or refine existing skills without the pressure of a traditional club season.

Each Skills & Game Session is divided between focused skill-building and live game play, giving athletes the chance to develop their technical abilities and immediately apply them in a game environment. Players in grades 1–5 enjoy 60-minute sessions designed to build foundational skills and introduce competitive play in a fun, age-appropriate setting. Players in grades 6–12 step it up with 90-minute sessions that go deeper into technical and tactical development before putting everything to work in high-energy, competitive game play.

Some points of emphasis will be:

Technical skill-building drills (dribbling, passing, and shooting)
Small-sided game play to increase ball contact time
Position-specific discussions and drills
Fun, team-building activities that foster lifelong friendships

Why are Skills & Game Sessions perfect for beginners?

Starting a new sport can be intimidating, but our "Skills & Game Sessions" are built specifically to lower that barrier to entry. We often hear from parents who aren't sure where to start. These sessions are the answer because they balance instructional learning with the immediate fun of playing the game.

We understand that trying out a new sport can be overwhelming, so we break the game down into manageable parts. Beginners spend the first half of the session learning a specific skill–like a push pass or receiving the ball–and the second half applying that skill in a low-stakes game. This format ensures that every player leaves the field feeling successful and excited to return.

How can I register for Charlottesville summer field hockey?

Registration is designed to be a simple, straightforward process for busy families. Head here to secure your spot. Because our summer sessions—especially the beginner-friendly Skills & Game Sessions—tend to fill up quickly, we recommend signing up as early as possible to avoid the waitlist.

If you have questions about which programming is right for your child or if you need help with the registration portal, our Contact Us page is always available. We want to ensure that every family in Charlottesville has access to high-quality field hockey programming, and we are here to support you through every step of the enrollment process.

Preparing for Your First Field Hockey Practice

Once you've signed up for a session, it's time to get ready for the turf! For those who are new to the sport, you don't need a massive amount of gear to get started. Most players will need a stick, shin guards, a mouthguard, and appropriate footwear (sneakers or turf shoes). We also occasionally have field hockey sticks available for loan during our introductory sessions to help new families get started without a large upfront investment.

Ready to see your child ascend on the field? Visit our Summer 2026 page today to explore our full schedule and Register for the upcoming season!

Interested in learning about our other offerings? Head to our Summer 2026 tab, where you can find detailed schedules and age-group breakdowns.

Come celebrate with us!

Wed, 20 May 2026 19:46:13 GMT

Ascend Field Hockey Launch Party

June 6, 11am-12pm. SugarBear. 1522 E. High St.

Details and RSVP here .

Why are we celebrating?

We never could have anticipated the number of emails, registrations, or words of encouragement that have poured in since we officially launched Ascend Field Hockey Club on May 13. The Charlottesville community’s support has been overwhelming in the best of ways, and it has continually reminded us why we embarked on this journey in the first place: to build a field hockey club specifically for players in our region and to help foster a community that challenges, supports, and inspires players to grow, on the field and beyond. We're deeply committed to our Mission and especially to maintaining the high standard of excellence that families expect and deserve.

So, bring the family and join us for ice cream, community, and to celebrate this new chapter for field hockey in Charlottesville! This celebration is our way of saying welcome to the Ascend community and thank you to those who have already trusted us with their athletes’ development. Whether you’ve been playing for years or are picking up a stick for the first time, there’s a place for you at Ascend.

What can you expect at our Launch Party?

We’ve planned an afternoon full of excitement, celebrations, and eagerness for what’s to come, with the goal of ensuring that everyone in attendance feels a sense of pride and belonging.

Some highlights of the event include:

Conviviality: Enjoy ice cream from one of our favorite Charlottesville spots while getting to know other community members.
Coach Meet-and-Greet: Talk one-on-one with some of our experienced Coaches about their playing and teaching philosophies.
Information Hub: Get all your questions answered regarding our Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 seasons.
Swag: Pick-up some free stickers for your water bottle or purchase an Ascend t-shirt to show off your Ascend pride.

We can't wait to celebrate with you on June 6!