College Field Hockey


You dream of continuing to play field hockey at a high level even after finishing high school. But you know that life is more than just sports.

You stand at the crossroads of your future, where you have to choose a further study that prepares you for a successful career. So what's next?

Explore the opportunity to play college field hockey in America.

Combine Field Hockey and academics in the USA

Here, you train every day at the best facilities in the world. You travel throughout the country to play games with the ultimate goal of becoming national champions.

At the same time, you are studying at a top university in America.

Here, you push yourself every day to eventually graduate with a degree that you can build your future upon.

It's more than just playing hockey and school..

This is a journey, an adventure, an unforgettable experience that will enrich your life in many ways.

You'll share unique moments with your teammates, build lifelong friendships, and meet inspiring classmates from around the world. You'll get to know new cultures, explore new places, and discover new perspectives that broaden your view of the world.

This is the ultimate opportunity to combine your passion for hockey with your studies, to gain unforgettable experiences, and to develop yourself in ways you could never have imagined.

want to play college field hockey in the USA?

Start now with a free evaluation of your opportunities.

A day in the life of a

college field hockey player in the usa

America is crazy about sports. The passion is unparalleled, and this is evident in all college sports. When you play for the university team, it is expected that you defend the pride of the school.

You will be immersed in field hockey every day. You wake up early in the morning for a morning training session, and later in the afternoon, there will be strength training or video analysis.

You play two games per week and travel throughout the country, sometimes by bus and even by plane, for games.

The college field hockey

Facilities

If you decide to play college hockey in America, you will be well supported to excel both academically and athletically.

American schools often invest significant amounts in their sports programs, sometimes with budgets of hundreds of millions of dollars.

These investments are reflected in state-of-the-art sports facilities, including excellent Astroturf hockey fields.

Additionally, you'll have access to top fitness centers, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. If you dream of a life as a professional field hockey player, America offers extensive opportunities.

The country lives for sports, as seen in the impressive hockey complex at the University of Michigan, which provides a wide range of facilities and support services to help you excel.

Field hockey divisions

If you want to play college field hockey in America it's vital to understand the differences between the different levels.
We can help you understand which division and level is a good fit for you.

Division 1
82
Programs
Division 2
35
Programs
Division 3
170
Programs

In America, college field hockey is played at three levels within the governing body that organizes the sport, which is the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).

The levels are divided into Division I, II, and III. The level at which you can play depends on your hockey skills and your academic performance.

The competitions, known as conferences, are divided into different regions. For Division 1, for example, there are 10 different conferences.

College field hockey is predominantly played on the East Coast in America. Cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia are places where you will find many hockey schools in the vicinity.

What is College Field Hockey in America?

College field hockey in America means you can play for an American university (college) while also pursuing a degree. It's a unique opportunity to continue playing at a high level after high school and simultaneously earn a diploma in the U.S.

Why are international players coming to the US to play college field hockey?

The attraction of America for international female hockey players, who choose to play hockey and study there, is due to a combination of unique opportunities offered by the American college system.

field hockey scholarships

You may have heard of field hockey scholarships, but what are they exactly?

A scholarship is a grant that covers a significant portion (or even all) of the costs associated with studying at a university.

The amount of your scholarship is determined by your hockey level and academic record (GPA and test results).

There are both field hockey and academic scholarships available. The combination of both can make it financially possible to take the step to play college field hockey in America.

Field hockey scholarships

Cost of university

In America, the costs of studying (and living) are much higher than anywhere in the world. That's why scholarships are so important.

Here, you not only pay tuition fees (which are approximately 10 times higher), but you also pay the university for housing, food and beverages, insurance, and books.

The total cost of university in the USA is called cost of attendance. The average cost of attendance is around $50,000 per year.

Learn more about how the costs for university in America work below.

cost of University

Can I play College Field hockey
In the USA?

Whether you qualify to play college field hockey depends on multiple factors. It's important to understand exactly what you're looking for.

As you have read, there are different levels of hockey and academic programs.

Before we begin the process, we will conduct an evaluation together to assess your possibilities. Here are the factors we consider to determine if you qualify:

FIeld Hockey level

Your field hockey level is arguably the most important factor to determine whether or not you qualify for a field hockey scholarship. College coaches only recruit top international players to their programs.

We can help evaluate which Division is a good fit for you.

Academic background

To be able to study in the USA, you need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.3. It's also important that you graduate with your high school degree.

In addition, you may need to take certain tests like the SAT or English proficiency tests. These results also impact your chances.

finances

Full scholarships are rare and are only reserved for the absolute top athletes.

Based on your hockey level and academic background we can give you a good idea of what scholarship offers you can expect.

This way you're prepared before getting started.

Get a free evaluation

We can determine if you qualify for a field hockey scholarship based on your athletic and academic profile.

The experience of

myrte van herwijnen

Myrte also made the move to America to play college field hockey. After playing at the top levels in the Netherlands with SCHC and the Dutch national team, she decided to join UMass Amherst. When asked why she came to America, Myrte said:

"I chose America because I wanted to embark on a new adventure. I wanted to gain new experiences in the hockey world and play with people from all around the world. Academically, I also thought it was a smart choice to pursue an international study."

Now that her first year is behind her, she looks back on a fantastic first year and highly recommends this opportunity to other female hockey players:

"I 100% recommend playing field hockey in America. I think it's a unique opportunity to build international connections, pursue an international education, and play with players from different countries and cultures."
We came to UMass Amherst to visit Myrte in person for a campus tour and interview.

More success stories

Interviews with field hockey coaches

The advantage of us being located in the USA is that we regularly visit universities to meet with coaches and our players.

Below you can watch interviews with the field hockey coaches at Boston College and Harvard University.

How can I play college field hockey?

If you want to play college field hockey it's essential to receive the right guidance and support.

With our years of expertise and extensive network, we lead you effectively through the college field hockey recruiting process that consists of the following steps:

Step 1

Intake & 
Evaluation

Step 2

Recruiting Profile & 
Highlight Video

Step 3

Introduction
to Coaches

Step 4

Scholarship Offers & Decision Making

Step 5

Support with Paperwork and Preparations

About

+31 sports

The name +31 Sports represents our Dutch roots (+31) and the sports in which our country excels globally.

Our goal is to guide our talents in these sports in a personal way throughout this process. You can expect a direct and personal approach from us, where we focus on what your ambitions are in this adventure.

With more than ten years of experience in soccer and hockey recruitment for America, we have built a network and expertise to ensure that our talents end up in the right place.

A picture of Lars & Christoph the founders of Plus31 Sports

The recruiting process

Navigating the journey to receiving a sports scholarship at an American University involves multiple steps that can seem overwhelming.

We're here 24/7 to guide you, ensuring you're noticed by coaches for the best scholarship opportunities, and handling all the necessary paperwork.

Discover more about navigating the recruiting process with us.

Our services

We understand everyone's journey to playing college sports in America is unique, which is why our approach is personalized.

Before starting the recruiting process, we offer a free evaluation of your opportunities to play college sports in America.

We offer different services to help our athletes. Explore our services to see how we can support your aspirations.

FActs and figures

288
Field Hockey
Programs
23
Avg. Players on
roster
$19,079
Avg. Scholarship
amount

Meet our hockey athletes

Are you next?

Livvy Barker

Forward
2026

Field Hockey

Livvy Barker

Forward
2026
Available
Committed
View Profile

Ludy Holst

Defender
2025

Field Hockey

Ludy Holst

Defender
2025
Available
Committed
View Profile

Lilia Payne

Midfielder
2025

Field Hockey

Lilia Payne

Midfielder
2025
Available
Committed
View Profile

Ava Brewer

Midfielder
2026

Field Hockey

Ava Brewer

Midfielder
2026
Available
Committed
View Profile

Get in touch 👇

Do you want to know if you can play college sports in the USA?
We want to get to know you first so we can create the right recruitment plan for you.

Start with a free intake.

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