5th-8th Grade Travel Program Information
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Our Travel Program
Practices
Each clinic is similar in format and structure. Once everyone has arrived and the session has started, they will wam up with their instructor. Typically, after warm-ups all of the athletes will meet with their coaches to hear the day and week's points of emphasis.
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Games
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Scheduling Partners: Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Ridgefield, Westport, Fairfield, Greenwich, Norwalk, Redding/Easton, (non-league Trumbull)
Games will be played Saturdays or Sundays
This year, unless something changes in the schedule, all home games will be played on Saturdays.
Tentative Game Schedule Release: Week of August 29th
First Games: There will be intratown games (Darien vs Darien - “Friendlies”) on Sunday September 3rd.
Equal Playing Time
All DJFH teams adhere to the concept of equal playing time. As part of their role, our coaches focus on ensuring each athlete see their fair share of playing time in every game.
If for whatever reason an athlete or parent believes playing time has not been evenly distributed, please wait 24 hours before contacting the coach and please do so via email. Please do not approach the coach on the turf immediately following a game.
If the matter cannot be resolved directly with the coach, please contact President@DJFH.org
Team Communication
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Team Placement
The goal of the Darien Junior Field Hockey program is to improve individual and team skills in a competitive environment while fostering a love for the game.
At the end of the evaluations, every athlete will end up on a team that best suits their skill level and commitment to the program. If your athlete is not selected for a Travel Team, they will automatically be rostered in our Senior House program. An email will be sent with team placement within 7-10 days of evaluations being completed. Athletes selected to travel teams will have 48 hours to accept the invitation and pay in full.
Both House & Travel rosters will be published in August, just prior to the season. Your coaches will reach out to you then with more detail on the season.
Placement Questions & Feedback: We ask that you please wait at least 48 hours after team placement notifications are released to contact DJFH for questions or feedback about team placement. We recognize this can be an emotional time, and will work with you after the waiting period to address any questions you may have.
A frequent question after team placement is about movement players. During the evaluation process we make every effort to place players on the team that best suits their level of play. Generally, we try not to move players after teams have been established.
Keys to Success
Parents and athletes, please keep these in mind every time you attend a DJFH event.
ARRIVE EARLY: Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of your clinic. This allows us to start promptly and ensure the best experience possible for the athletes.
EQUIPMENT CHECK: All athletes are required to adhere to DJFH's equipment guidelines, which can be found here. Athletes will not be permitted to participate without proper protection (mouthguard & shin guards).
UNIFORMS: As part of registration, each athlete ordered shorts or a skirt, which will be distributed at the start of the season. These items are optional for practices and clinics but required for game play. At the first clinic or practice, each athlete will be issued a reversible pinnie or jersey that should be worn to every DJFH event. These uniform tops will be collected at the end of the season.
BATHROOM CHECK: Please ensure all athletes have used the facilities prior to arriving on the turf. While there are options at DHS, we've found it best if athletes can focus their attention fully on field hockey.
DRESS ACCORDINGLY: Early in the season, it can be warm on the turf. Later in the season, particularly for our early morning sessions, it can be chilly. At times we make the decision to play in light rain. Please dress accordingly.
HYDRATE: Everyone should bring their own water bottle to every DJFH clinic, practice or game.
TIMELY PICK-UP: Out of respect for our coaching staff, please be on time to pick up your child. Our coaches will not leave until everyone is safely with a guardian. Coaches are not permitted to drive athletes home.
Schedule & Location
All 5th-8th Grade practices will be at Darien High School, and will be held on the Varsity Baseball Turf, Center Oval or Upper Oval,
Typical Practice Schedule
5th & 6th Grade: Monday & Wednesdays 5:30pm-7:00pm
7th & 8th Grade: Tuesday & Thursdays 5:30pm-7:00pm
Practice times will vary throughout the season due to DHS conflicts and sunset times.
Typically teams will play one game per weekend, either home or away on Saturdays or Sundays. Home games will be played at Darien High School.
The goal is always to release the game schedule prior to the start of the season. However, we are beholden to the league and its member programs.
Weather & Cancellations
From time to time, we may need to cancel or reschedule DJFH events due to conflicts or weather. DHS events, athletics and testing, take priority over youth sports. Severe weather can also impact our clinics, practices, games and events.
If we need to cancel or change our schedule unexpectedly, we will attempt to notify parents at least 60 minutes prior to an event starting. These changes will be messaged to all parties and reflected in the DJFH calendar and team schedules. Although, in less obvious situations we may hold our decision as long as possible.We must wait at least 30 minutes from the last lightning/thunder before returning to the field.
If there is foul weather in the forecast, and we do attempt to have the game or practice, please be on standby should we need to cancel or end the session early.
Cancellation decisions are not made by the coaches, but rather by members of the DJFH board. Please monitor team communications and DJFH.org for updates.
Team Calendar
Your specific team calendar can be found in the SportsEngine App. However, below please find the schedule for all 5th-8th Grade Travel events.
Instructions for downloading the app and finding your team can be found HERE
The schedule will not be released until August after the Darien Board of Education has provided our field space and we're able to coordinate with the league to schedule games.
