Clairemont High School Field Hockey Season Preview

Offseason Focus This offseason, the main focus has been on building the program from the ground up, starting with the junior high level. Coach Scott Bello has been running clinics and encouraging younger students to try field hockey in the offseason. “It’s all about growing the game and creating a pipeline of talent,” says Bello. Offseason Events & Camps While the full team isn’t traveling to any tournaments, several players are taking the initiative to attend summer field hockey camps. These camps will allow them to sharpen their skills and bring fresh energy and experience back to the team. Roster Changes The team will feel the loss of one of its key midfielders, who played a major role in the squad’s structure and success. Replacing that kind of experience won’t be easy, but the team is ready to rise to the challenge. Players to Watch One standout this upcoming season is Grace Brown, a four-year member of the program who has shown steady improvement year after year. “She’s been putting in the work, and it shows,” Bello says. “I’m excited to see what she brings to the field this season.” Fitness & Conditioning Fitness isn’t a concern for this group—many of the players also compete in competitive soccer year-round, keeping them in top shape even during the offseason. Community Support & Program Growth Clairemont’s field hockey program is gaining momentum, especially with support from the junior high community. “They’ve bought into what we’re doing,” Bello explains. “We’re starting to see more players come out, and for the second year in a row, we’ll have a JV team—something that’s huge for our long-term growth.” Looking Ahead – Challenges With a school population under 1,000, fielding a full roster is always a challenge. That’s been made even tougher with new sports like girls' flag football competing for athletes in the same season. “It’s a balancing act,” says Bello, “but we’re doing our best to stay competitive and keep growing.”