TEMECULA – The Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) is facing fierce opposition in response to a recent decision made by school admin to phase out girls’ field hockey programs at its three local high schools. The announcement, made earlier this year, cited factors such as high travel costs, field space limitations, and a shifting athletic landscape as motivations for eliminating the program. However, students, parents, and coaches are rallying to preserve what they see as a vital part of their community and a critical opportunity for young athletes.
Field hockey has been a long-standing option for female athletes at Chaparral High School (CHS), Great Oak High School (GOHS), and Temecula Valley High School (TVHS). The sport has cultivated leadership, friendship, and college opportunities for hundreds of players over the years. Despite its relatively niche appeal in Southern California, participation levels have remained strong, with GOHS even preparing to field both varsity and junior varsity teams in upcoming seasons.
The decision to eliminate their programs, which is said to have primarily been made by Athletic Directors and Principals, came as a surprise and has sparked both frustration and action. According to Save Temecula Field Hockey, a grassroots initiative formed to counteract the decision, the move was made without community input or transparency. Coaches and players only learned about the change after the decision had already been finalized.
For Jim Dail, former head field hockey coach at Temecula Valley High School, the lack of collaboration is beyond disappointing. “All of us coaches, from football, band, field hockey, knew that we would all have to make concessions in terms of field space,” he said. “However, there was no indication that there was a move to cancel field hockey. It was a complete shock to everyone, and their later explanations just do not hold water.”
Supporters argue that field hockey is being unfairly targeted among other sports that face similar challenges. The backbone of their advocacy has been community-driven efforts. At a recent school board meeting on February 25, district officials faced criticism for limiting public comments regarding the decision. This resulted in the scheduling of a special board meeting dedicated exclusively to the topic on March 10.
Temecula Valley field hockey players and advocates point to the life-changing impact the sport has had on students over the years. Aftyn Robbins, a GOHS graduate now playing for Millersville University, attributes much of her personal and athletic growth to her time with the program. “Without the Great Oak field hockey program, I would not be where or who I am today,” she explains. “By ending this program, the district is robbing girls of opportunities to lead, grow, and follow their passions.”
Other parents, too, have voiced their concerns. Karrie Baraichi, who was an officer on the Temecula Valley Field Hockey Booster Club, and whose daughter was a two-year player, is adamant about the worth of the sport. “It provided her with a sense of belonging, new friendships and a chance to grow in ways that other sports could not provide,” she said. This feels especially unjust when the field hockey program has proven to be self-sustaining, funded largely by the parents. We raised almost $13,000 for uniforms, equipment, and travel, contributing to the overall success of the program.”
District officials defended the decision by school admin with various points, including concerns over travel time and costs, as well as an interest survey that reportedly favored newer sports like girls’ flag football and beach volleyball. However, community members have been quick to debunk these justifications.
While it’s true that Temecula teams must travel outside the region to compete, field hockey players, parents, and supporters insist this is no different from other teams that frequently face travel challenges. Parents have also pointed out that they fund much of the travel through donations.
Field space has been another sticking point. Administrators argued that the addition of girls’ flag football would necessitate phasing out field hockey due to limited facilities. Yet, other schools in California have managed to successfully balance both sports and more. Melissa Vandenbosch, Athletic Director at Huntington Beach High School, believes this reasoning falls flat.
“Flag football and field hockey attract different types of athletes,” she notes. “Ensuring their coexistence allows more students to engage in competitive athletics and fosters school spirit. Removing one sport to add another isn’t a solution—it’s a disservice.”
With the March 10 meeting approaching, supporters of girls’ field hockey are ramping up their advocacy efforts. ‘Save Temecula Field Hockey’ encourages families, students, and community members to attend the special session and show their opposition to the decision. They argue that the district should explore alternative solutions, such as developing a local league to reduce travel or collaborating with coaches to better share facilities.
For Temecula Valley High School sophomore Kendall Gann, the issue is deeply personal. “I play three sports, but I’ve never enjoyed one as much as field hockey,” she says. “This sport means so much to me and my teammates, and it’s not fair to take that away for something new. We deserve the chance to keep playing.”
The special board meeting will be held on Monday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Great Oak High School. All community members are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns directly to district leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Woods and Board President Dr. Anderson.
The decision to eliminate girls’ field hockey cuts far deeper than just one sport. It raises questions about fairness, transparency, and the future of non-mainstream athletics in the district. Hundreds of community members remain united in their belief that the sport enriches the lives of student-athletes and deserves a place in the athletic programs of Temecula Valley Unified School District.
For more information on how to get involved, visit – Save Temecula Field Hockey – at www.savetemeculafieldhockey.com.
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