Field Hockey is one of the world"s most popular games, and is also one of the oldest competitive team sports. The sport of field hockey dates back to 4,000 years ago in the Nile River Valley of Egypt. Throughout the following centuries, variations of the game were played by an entire range of Greeks and Romans to Ethiopians and Aztecs. The modern game of field hockey evolved in England in the mid-19th century.

             It is a stick and ball game related to ice hockey and lacrosse. In the United States, the game is played primarily by women. One of Americas greatest players was Anne Townsend, who was selected for the All-American team from 1924 to 1939.

             The game is played outdoors on a grassy field. The field hockey playing field measures 100 yd. long and 60 yd. wide. The center of the field contains a circle 1 yd in diameter in which the face off takes place. The face-off is also called a bully. At each end of the field is a goal. The goal measures 7 ft high and 4 yd. across. A semicircular striking area extends 16 yd. around the goal. A point is scored by hitting the ball into the net from within the striking circle. The ball weighs about 5 1/2 oz. The teams consist of 11 players, five forwards, three halfbacks, two fullbacks, and a goalkeeper. A goal keeper may stop a shot with her stick or body, while other players may use their sticks or hands. Each player carries a wooden stick about 36 inches long. The stick is curved at one end and flattened on the left side which is the striking side. The game is divided into two halves of 35 minutes each.

             The first women"s hockey club was founded in London in 1887, and the international federation of Women"s Hockey Associations was established in 1927. Women"s field became part of the Olympics in 1980. Men"s field hockey became an Olympic sport in 1908. International field hockey, controlled by the International Federation of Hockey, also includes competition for the World Cup, the European Cup, and the Manning Cup.