For about two years, LIFT has been teaching young athletes how to play field hockey but a closer look shows it's doing so much more.
“Our goal is not to be the biggest or the best,” said Morgan Oldenburg, co-owner of the program. “Our goal is to reach every girl that walks through the door and make her feel comfortable and confident… so every practice involves fitness, field hockey and fun.”
The field hockey club in Milwaukee is meant to be uplifting, hence the name.
“It exudes positivity,” Oldenburg said of the name. “It's also a move in field hockey.”
“It not only develops me as a player but I learn leadership, confidence, courage and all of these traits that will help you excel as an individual,” said LIFT member Janna Lieungh.
Young athletes 5-years-old to high school aged enjoy the rare opportunity to play field hockey.
“I just like the intensity,” said freshman field hockey player Emily Maslowski. “And it's so fast and I'm a goalie so it's like really fast.”
Oldenburg said last year there were just 16 field hockey teams in the Milwaukee area at eight schools.
“Some of them are in co-ops with other schools, some of them have one team, some of them have five teams,” Oldenburg said.
By comparison, Illinois has field hockey at 22 different high schools.
“It makes you feel really special being able to be a part of something that's not as big,” Lieungh said.
Lieungh does have field hockey at her high school, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, but before her freshman year she didn’t know about the sport.
“The first time I touched a field hockey stick was coming to LIFT,” Lieungh said.
After playing just three months, she made junior varsity and thanks LIFT for “lifting” her game.
“I love the feeling when you are able to lift the ball off the ground into the goal,” Lieungh said. “It's challenging. It's a challenge but you practice and being able to lift it off the ground and just hearing it hit the back is awesome.”
LIFT is always accepting new members so if this is something you or your daughter might be interested in, don't hesitate to learn more on its website.
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