How can field hockey survive as a sport in RI over the next 25 years?

Predicting the future isn't easy. Back in 2000, who would have thought that by 2025 the Pawtucket Red Sox would no longer exist, or Rhode Island's first female governor would be telling people to "Knock it off" as a pandemic shutdown the state?

Now, as we embark on the second quarter of the 21st century, what could Rhode Island look like in 2050? The staff at The Providence Journal asked leaders in their field for their respective thoughts on what they think Rhode Island will look like in 2050. Here's what they have to say.

Name: Deb McMullen

Hometown: East Greenwich

Title: Former East Greenwich High School field hockey coach

How will high school field hockey survive in Rhode Island?

It’s safe to say that field hockey is a niche sport in Rhode Island.

In 2001, 20 field hockey teams played in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. It was bigger in some communities than others but the sport consistently produced Division I college talent and was competitive in the high schools' Divisions I and II. Twenty-five seasons later, things have changed.

Will field hockey in Rhode Island cease to exist at the high school level in 2050? While it’s a fair question, it can be answered by coming up with solutions to ensure it is still around in 25 years.

“I like going with hope,” said Deb McMullen, who built a powerhouse program at small-school East Greenwich before retiring as head coach after the 2024 season. “I hope every town gets turf and role models like Erin Matson, who coaches [at the University of North Carolina], is nationally recognized as a player and winning a national championship – and Jason Kelce’s wife, Kylie, getting involved in field hockey and going to clinics where there’s NFL games.”

Thirteen schools had solo field hockey teams in 2025. Chariho was previously one but added Prout in a co-op. Three other teams are full co-ops, with the Cranston schools playing together, former Division I powers Tiverton and Bay View joining forces, and Woonsocket and Burrillville playing as one.

Why the decline? A lack of community programs is a big reason, and the privatization of youth sports with a hyperfocus on year-round club participation is another.

The sport also wasn’t helped by the RIIL switching girls volleyball to the fall in 2004. Looking at the total teams from 2001 to 2025, RIIL girls soccer is up from 45 teams to 47; cross country is up from 41 to 43. Girls tennis dropped from 44 to 38 and field hockey is down from 20 to 17.

With flag football on the horizon, likely to be a spring sport, girls are given more opportunities to play sports. That’s good. But field hockey desperately needs more excitement at the community level to ensure it has a chance to be around in 2050.

“The reality is that the fall is a busy time for girls; there’s so many sports options,” McMullen said.

"It’s really hard to field teams, and we have to keep plugging and try to get the kids to play a little bit sooner than their freshman year of high school.”

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How can field hockey survive as a sport in RI over the next 25 years?