Freeman HS girls field hockey team finds friendship on and off the field
RICHMOND, Va. — The Douglas Freeman High School girls Varsity Field Hockey team thrives on the field. They work together, execute game strategy and get results. And off the field, you鈥檒l find more of the same from these dedicated young women. Head Varsity Coach, Cassie Perez tells us, 鈥淚 have never met a better group of girls than the ones who play field hockey at Freeman. The inclusion, friendships, support and love are immense and everyone feels like family.鈥�
In the summer of 2018, Cassie was called to take over the program and recruit a new JV coach to fill her previous position. Plunket Beirne was her first call. When Cassie contacted Plunket he was hesitant but interested. Cassie convinced him to give her one year and now almost 5 years later they鈥檝e become a dynamic force for the Freeman girl鈥檚 field hockey program.
Cassie is also a teacher at Tuckahoe Middle School. When she took over the High School Varsity program her first goal was growth. She worked to encourage her middle school students and told them that field hockey was a fun, and exciting pathway to leadership and sportsmanship. Her strategy worked, funneling a new group of young women from the middle school directly to the high school program. Interest in the team exploded from around 40 girls at tryouts to close to 70. Since Cassie鈥檚 turn at the helm the team has made their regional tournament each year.
Speaking of regionals the team鈥檚 main goal this season is to make it there again and win the Regional Championship. But the girls also set individual and team goals before every game and break them down together after the game is over ensuring that small victories are acknowledged daily and weekly. Cassie says, 鈥淚t is also super cool to see the girls strive for bigger things as they grow and get more confident throughout the season.鈥�
The team鈥檚 leaders aren鈥檛 just defined by the coaching staff. Leadership is also a huge part of the team鈥檚 structure. This year鈥檚 captains are Ann Collier Ferguson (Senior-3rd year on Varsity), Avery Fonville (Senior-3 rd year on Varsity), Simone Fortier (Senior-2nd year on Varsity), Meg Pollard (Senior- 3rd year on Varsity), and Adair Reid (Senior- 3rd year on Varsity.) Each captain brings her own personality and strengths to the team. Cassie breaks it down for us, 鈥淎ll of these fabulous young women bring their own parts that contribute to the team鈥檚 success. AC and Simone are our hype girls; they bring so much energy, fun, competition, and heart each and every day. Avery and Meg keep our heads clear and calm. They are always so positive, have great insight, and help us through any storm. Adair is like our team Mom. She makes sure everyone is prepared, excited, supported, and ready for anything. Adair also runs our Game Day posts on our team Instagram so she is our tech guru!鈥� In a truly delightful twist, Cassie taught all of these young women in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. And now? They are leading her Varsity team!
Relationships are immeasurably valued by the field hockey teammates. They participate in a program called Secret Sisters to get to know each other and go beyond life on the field. The players fill out a survey of their favorite things at the beginning of the season and then they pick names out of a bag. The name chosen is their secret sister for the year. The girls fill goodie bags for their sister and find sneaky ways to gift them. The secret is up on the last game of the season when the sisters reveal themselves and celebrate. The girls also set up team dinners, make t-shirts and crafts, carve pumpkins, celebrate holidays and decorate for senior night together.
Cassie sets her expectations for the team early. She says, 鈥淥ur team is not flashy and if we win we are excited, we鈥檙e proud but we are not unsportsmanlike and I set that expectation from day one. The girls are so supportive of each other and celebrate successes and learn from failures.鈥� This year the team also established the Mavvy Award. The winner is selected by Cassie and Plunket and given to a team member who set herself apart during the game. That game鈥檚 winner carries the award trophy around with her until the next winner is crowned.
Last year Ellie O鈥橬eil, a 2022 graduate, was Freeman鈥檚 first ever Region Player of the Year for field hockey. Also last year, Margaret Shepardson, currently a senior, smashed the school record for defensive saves, recording 72. The previous record was 54. Cassie鈥檚 final word to us on the team鈥檚 secret to success? 鈥淎ll of these girls want to win for each other and find success together. This is a super magical team and a bright light wherever they go.鈥�
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