Sports

West Bloomfield Adds Girls Field Hockey Team

New high school pay-to-play program could make the school district more competitive and keep more students in the district, athletic director says.

Girls varsity field hockey will take the field at for the first time next fall.

The move was made in response to interest from more than 20 students, said Pat Watson, athletic director and assistant principal. Watson also hopes field hockey will keep kids who may consider a transfer to nearby schools in the district instead.

"Numerous young ladies over the past three months have expressed interest," Watson said Monday night during the meeting. "Overall, it will help with the marketing and branding we're trying to do with the athletic department. Keep in mind that our neighboring schools, such as Farmington, and every single private school offers field hockey."

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The team will be characterized as pay-to-play, which refers to sports for which students and their families pay a one-time fee at the beginning of the school year to participate. Watson said the fees cover everything from a coach's salary to uniforms to transportation.

Last year, West Bloomfield schools sports.

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"It'll be similar to lacrosse, it will always have to remain self-funded," Watson said. "Parents are willing to pay the cost for their children to participate."

The girls will practice at and games will take place on Saturdays on the West Bloomfield High School field.

The move will make the number of boys' offerings equal to the number of girls' offerings, Watson said.

Board Secretary Raman Singh inquired to the possibility of other teams forming in the future; specifically, a cricket team, to which Watson replied that interest is currently present among students.

Watson said he hoped that a junior varsity field hockey team could be added in the future.

Correction: an earlier version of this story indicated that the team would practice at .


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