Even though they are only in their second season, the women’s field hockey is starting off strong with a sponsorship and an additional 10 new players.
On July 10, the team received exclusive merch from Uninterrupted, an athlete empowerment brand, and their partner Gatorade. The gear that was given to the athletes was solely offered to the WHHS women’s field hockey team.
“From the sponsorship, we got a bunch of free stuff from Gatorade,” Dahlia Lopez, ‘27, the team’s defender, said. “Through it, I also learned the importance of watching women’s sports and supporting women’s sports, and just how much people really do care now about supporting women’s sports.”
The sponsorships aim to help support women and underrepresented sports, while also acknowledging the struggle of growing a new team.
“I was very surprised, because we didn’t really know what to expect going in there,” Sierra Smith, ‘25, who has been playing field hockey since fourth grade, said.” We thought it was a whole school or district thing. And then when we learned it was just us, I was so excited because we don’t really get a lot of recognition around the school or in the district.”
One of the field hockey programs’ struggles has been recruiting more players, but with the help of the sponsorships, its popularity has been boosted and more players have been recruited. Lopez encourages anyone who is interested in joining the team to give it a shot and stick with it.
“Give it a shot and stick with it,” Lopez said.”If you’re really dedicated and you really want to play, then you can definitely play and pick it up. It’s my second year playing, so I totally picked it up last year, but through dedication and sticking with it, I’m still playing field hockey, and I love it.”
Overall, the sponsorship strengthened team unity and helped spread awareness of the newer sport.
“I think it’s really great because it’s put our name out there, and I think it’s united us as a team also,” Smith said. “[It’s exciting] knowing that there’s other people who are supporting us, not just on the team.”
The team is grateful for their support and recognition but will continue to stress the importance of supporting women’s sports, especially underrepresented ones.
“Support women’s sports more than you think it’s necessary, because we’re often the ones that need it the most and that are the most defunded and unwatched,” Lopez said.