Building the Gold Standard in Field Hockey
Around the country a revolution is happening in the world of field hockey. The sport is getting faster, more skilled and highly competitive. FieldTurf is dedicated to growing the game both domestically and around the world.
FieldTurf is an International Hockey Federation (FIH) Preferred Supplier and an Official Sponsor of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). These entities are dedicated to protecting players and the surfaces on which they play. Delivering the highest quality, superior performing and safest artificial turf systems has always been at the forefront of FieldTurf’s mission.
“FieldTurf’s unique and innovative products greatly contribute to the development of field hockey in the United States.” says NFHCA Executive Director Jennifer Goodrich.
In comparative testing, FieldTurf’s Hockey Gold system proves to be 80% less abrasive than knitted nylon carpet. That’s because this player-friendly surface is built with a uniquely engineered, tufted polyethylene fiber that has become the global standard — even as nylon systems still dominate the U.S. market. Not only is polyethylene less abrasive and more flexible for players, but it’s also just as strong as nylon in terms of general wear resistance.
Like all FieldTurf systems, Hockey Gold was developed after extensive consultation with field hockey players, coaches and other experts in the sport to ensure the product delivers playability characteristics geared for the highest levels. Hockey Gold was perfected for field hockey by focusing on key sport-specific elements:
• Fiber shape
• Superior ball roll and speed
• Premium performance
• Better footing and stick movement
Field hockey is a fast sport that demands a proper sport-specific surface. Our field hockey synthetic surface offers an innovative design engineered for speed that delivers optimal performance for all levels of play. All of FieldTurf’s field hockey products have been designed following strict testing protocols and offering player-friendly advancements to the game, enabling players to showcase their skills and strengths.
Designed to be the new standard in field hockey, FieldTurf’s Hockey Gold system consists of uniquely engineered Elliptic Fibers which provide a truly uniform and non-directional surface with exceptional durability and low abrasion.
The surface at Vonnie Gros field on the campus of West Chester University in Pennsylvania was the first installation in North America to install FieldTurf’s Hockey Gold system.
"We have always had a great relationship with FieldTurf," said Dr. Edward M. Matejkovic, Director of Athletics at WCU. “We feel this revolutionary surface was the best choice for West Chester University."
Currently being showcased at the most prestigious venues around the world, the new field at WCU has been a game-changer for the program.
“To have the first Hockey Gold installation in the U.S. is certainly something of which we’re all very proud of. Since converting our playing surface, we’ve seen a major improvement in performance and consistency. Our players love the new field and feel it’s softer on their joints. We could not be happier to have chosen FieldTurf to design and construct our one-of-a-kind Field Hockey dedicated facility.” -Amy Cohen, Head Field Hockey Coach, West Chester University
In New Jersey, Monmouth University’s nationally competitive field hockey program has a new FieldTurf field worthy of such a premier team. Designed for the highest levels of field hockey competition, the Hawks replaced their dated AstroTurf system with FieldTurf’s premium Hockey Gold system.
“This is a great day for Monmouth field hockey, we are thrilled about the next chapter for our program,” commented Jeffrey Stapleton, Deputy Director of Athletics for Monmouth University. “We look forward to seeing our student-athletes playing on FieldTurf for years to come.”
In Maryland, a new FieldTurf Hockey Gold surface at Towson University has made a clear statement that it’s dedicated to offering elite quality facilities for its student-athletes and community. The new TU Field Hockey Complex will give the Tigers a true competitive advantage.
"I don't really have words that can adequately express our excitement," said Head Coach E.A. Jackson. "This has been a long time coming for this program. It marks a new era in Towson field hockey."
The recent upgrade is a game changer for the university. In today’s NCAA, a dedicated hockey-specific surface for play and practice is highly valued. Towson’s field hockey team was previously using Johnny Unitas Stadium, which houses the FieldTurf surface that was designed for the university’s football and soccer programs. FieldTurf Hockey Gold allows the game to be played at a much faster speed, delivers sport specific functionality and will play a critical role in the university’s recruiting initiatives.
"Having a home for field hockey in terms of having a true competition field where our family, friends and fans can come and watch us is what we are really excited about," said Tricia Brandenburg, Deputy Director of Athletics. "It's a special moment for the program in terms of having that to improve competition and show it off for recruiting."
The Kinkaid High School in Houston is looking to compete with the best of the best at the middle and high school level. Along with developing a vast understanding of the game and the intense physical skills needed to play and succeed, school officials created an environment for their field hockey program to excel with the installation of FieldTurf Hockey Gold.
Just a few miles away, another hockey field has been revitalized in the Houston area at St. John’s College High School. These new FieldTurf hockey fields send a strong message to competitors about who the elite programs are in the state of Texas.