About
STJ Field Hockey (formerly Jackals Field Hockey Club) represents the highest level of play due to a combination of intense training, dedication, and competition. U10-U19 athletes can compete alongside the top players in the area with the constant support of our coaches and trainers.
This program is dedicated to developing female athletes at all skill levels through elite training, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We provide a competitive and supportive environment where players refine their technical skills, tactical knowledge, and physical fitness.
LEADERSHIP
Our coaching philosophy is rooted in competitive excellence, athlete development, and a genuine love for the game. We believe that success in field hockey comes from a strong commitment to training, a focus on continuous improvement, and creating an environment where players are both challenged and supported.
Winning is important—but more important is getting better every day. Whether it's technical skills, tactical awareness, fitness, or mental toughness, our training sessions are designed to push players to reach their full potential.
At the same time, we believe field hockey should be fun and fulfilling. When athletes enjoy what they’re doing, they compete harder, bond more deeply with their teammates, and take greater pride in their growth.
Finally, field hockey is more than just a sport—it's a platform to teach life skills and values that extend far beyond the field. Through our team culture, we focus on building discipline, accountability, communication, leadership, and resilience. We want every athlete to walk away not only as a better player but also as a more confident, well-rounded individual.
This balance of competitive fire, joy in the process, and life-ready growth is the foundation of everything we aim to do as a coaches.
Player Development
With year-round training and tournament play, STJ Travel Field Hockey consistently works to develop the elite field hockey player.
Elite Instruction
Training by the area’s most experienced and successful coaches and former players. Focus on technical training, off-ball movement, field sense.
Fitness
Routine practice sessions with an array of speed, agility and high performance trainers.
Specialized Training
Sessions tailored to the development of specific skills and positions, led by specialists including our goalie coaches and experienced guest coaches.
Competitive Environment
Rigorous schedules and elite-level play against the top teams from around the country.
Top Facilities
Weekly play on the area’s top facilities in Bethesda (Stone Ridge & Georgetown Prep) and Northern Virginia (The St. James & Episcopal School).
College Recruitment
STJ players are exposed to a multitude of recruiting opportunities, including participation in many elite national tournaments, play days and showcases. In addition, our staff members provide players with extensive guidance during the recruitment process through written materials, informational meetings and continuous support.
As a result, nearly 200 of our athletes have gone on to play at the collegiate level for Division I, II and III programs.
About STJ Travel Field Hockey
Our History
Originally founded in 2000 as Jackals Field Hockey, the STJ Travel Field Hockey program has grown into a premier club with teams in Montgomery County, MD and Northern VA. Fostering talent across U19, U16, U14, and emerging U12 and U10 programs, our mission extends beyond the field, equipping athletes with life skills that serve them in school, college, and beyond.
National Indoor Tournament (NIT)
Every year, our teams strive to qualify for and compete in the National Indoor Tournament. Only teams that qualify in December are invited to participate in NIT in February/March. Therefore, the selectivity of this national tournament results in the highest level of competition among the nation’s best club teams.
faqs
Any player accepting a roster spot on an Jackals team is liable for the full fee amount, regardless of injury or withdrawal.
We provide recruiting support in a number of ways, over the course of an athlete’s high school career. Assistance includes information sessions for players and parents, preparing for the initial recruiting season and ongoing, developing athletic resume, submitting recruiting forms, and appropriate process for corresponding with coaches. We contact and respond to college coaches on behalf of players, and maintain a shared database of recruiting activity for each player. With proven success in player development and recruiting, Recruitment Coach Dominique Nelson will guide our players through the process of identifying opportunities to play college Field Hockey.
Our coaches are asked to achieve the dual goal of showcasing players and winning. The club’s goal is to provide players with balanced playing time in every game. Every player that makes a team has earned the right to play in every game and no player in good standing will be held out of any game. However, playing time can be positively or negatively impacted based on the player’s attitude, attendance, effort, and coachability. In championship (advancing) format tournaments, once a team has made the playoffs, coaches have the option to field specific players for longer periods of time. This may significantly impact the playing time for some players. However, every effort will be made to ensure that players in good standing will have an opportunity to play in each game.