Politics & Government

Girls Field Hockey Coming to Palmer

Palmer Athletic Association will start a league for grades 2 through 6

“Give it a shot.” That’s what the Palmer Township Athletic Association was told last night by the Board of Supervisors when it asked permission to start two girls field hockey teams.

The association will have one year to see if the program works before having to come back to the board for permission to possibly make field hockey a permanent sport.

Two teams will be formed -- grades 2 through 4 and grades 5 and 6.  The season would run from August to November.  Todd Doerner, the association's commissioner for girls lacrosse and field hockey, said the association and the township’s Recreation Board have approved the idea. And students from Easton Area High School’s field hockey team will assist during games.

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“This will be a chance for Palmer Township kids to do their own thing,” said Doerner.

Currently, children interested in the sport play in a Forks Township league. The sport is offered only at the middle-school and high-school levels.

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Supervisor David Colver said there was concern last year during discussion of the township starting its own league.

“I know there was a lot of concern from Forks Township that if it [Palmer children] split [from the Forks league] then they will have issues keeping up with the necessary league requirements,” said Colver.

Due to the lack of interest, Colver said, children in the Forks league had to travel as much as one hour into New Jersey to find other teams to play.

The sport requires six players per team.

But Doerner said there are already several other area townships that have started girls field hockey teams.

“Parkland ... they have a youth team, and so does Saucon Valley, so we have a couple of teams that are getting started,” he said.

In order to play, children will be required to purchase their own mouthpieces, shin guards and field hockey sticks. The recreation board has agreed to kick out $3,000 toward the program and the association will cover the remaining costs. Those costs will likely include balls and goals.

“It’s gonna be fairly inexpensive, $5,000 to $6,000 to do both teams,” said Doerner. “We’re hoping for some good success.”

The teams will use area softball fields for play.


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