Every year, there is change around Godwin athletics. Some athletes leave and graduate while others decide the sport is not for them any more. Some coaches find new jobs or decide to retire. 

The Godwin field hockey team is no different. They received a new coaching staff before the 2021 fall season. Emily McNamara, head coach, and Annie Miller, assistant coach, will guide the squad this season. 

McNamara worked at Godwin last year for the first time as a JV coach. Miller is new to the team this season. 

The team has already begun their season and they have spent their summer working and conditioning. Senior Amelia Betz has been on the team since freshman year. She felt practice this summer was more difficult than previous years.

“[Practice was] much harder than years past. They coach us with higher standards with more running and intensity than previous coaches have”, said Betz

 The field hockey team has remained busy as they have already started their season. The team has taken on Prince George, Manchester, and Deep Run. 

Junior Audrey Clement has been playing field hockey since freshman year for Godwin. She feels that the coaches’ different style has helped the team for the better.  

“With our new coaches, we had to adjust to a new coaching style which is totally different from what we have experienced in years before. I personally have never had a coach that cared so much about our success on and off the field,” said Clement.  

Betz agrees with Clement about how the coaches have made a priority to care for the team both on and off the field. 

“They do a great job at pushing us past our limits which brings us closer as a team,” said Betz.

With a new set of girls to coach, McNamara is excited to see what her team will do this season.  

“This year we have a fresh roster. It’s different than years past, but with a young, energetic, coachable set of girls, it’ll be exciting to see what they are able to accomplish this season,” said Coach McNamara. 

McNamara played D1 field hockey at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Her experience playing in college has allowed her insight into how to make a team stronger. 

“That knowledge and experience [in college] can help our girls learn a lot this year and hopefully it translates to their play,”said McNamara.

Miller also played field hockey at VCU, but only for her freshman year.

            Most of the new players have yet to experience other coaches, but the old ones are taking the new information they have learned from the new coaching staff and trying to build a foundation for future teams. 

Betz believes that with hard work and dedication, the younger players on the team will be the best in the future.

“People should predict to see Godwin field hockey dominating in a couple years as our younger players grow,” said Betz.

Watch out for field hockey on their next game (9/15/21) as they take on Tucker at home.