DATE: Friday, April 4, 1997                 TAG: 9704020175

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REA MCLEROY, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR 

                                            LENGTH:   41 lines

BEACH LEAGUE TO GIVE CHESAPEAKE PLAYERS A BOOST

There's a new game in Chesapeake and it looks like it's here to stay.

Last fall, the high schools added field hockey to accommodate new Southeastern District competitors Lakeland and Nansemond River. The Chesapeake schools surprised many onlookers by taking to the sport quickly and developing teams that were competitive with the long-standing Suffolk programs.

Now, the high school programs have gained another advantage.

The Virginia Beach Hockey League has expanded this spring to include a Chesapeake program. If all goes well, Chesapeake players can compete as a unit this summer as well.

According to Debbie Midkiff, who co-organizes the events, players aged 8 and older are eligible to compete in the program. The spring league divides teams by area and they play every Saturday morning at Lynnhaven Middle School or Kempsville Middle School.

The league will loan sticks to first-timers so they will not have to purchase equipment. Veteran coaches will conduct clinics on Sunday afternoons.

If there is significant interest from Chesapeake players, the summer league will be expanded as well. In the summer, players 8 to 12 attend a six-week camp and players 13 and older play every Wednesday. There is no regularly-scheduled practice session for the older group.

``It will be a great chance for the city to move quickly into a more competitive mode by involving the elementary and middle school age player,'' co-organizer Debbie Lowrance said.

The increased competition will give players needed experience and could develop the Chesapeake program quickly.

``They don't have any feeder programs,'' Midkiff said of Chesapeake. ``The only place kids can learn is a place like this. Unfortunately, this is their only chance to get some experience going into it.''

The Virginia Beach Hockey Club also has a winter program, which is a faster-paced game played on a gym floor.

Players may sign up for the spring league by calling 422-5915. The registration deadline is Saturday with play slated to begin on April 19. KEYWORDS: FIELD HOCKEY

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