RISE Field Hockey is a premier field hockey program based in the Chicagoland area. Our Travel Teams offer dedicated opportunities for our most skilled athletes committed to elevating their game through high-level training and competition and who are willing to commit to the expectations of being involved in a travel-level program. The travel team is for our most competitive and talented athletes.
Athletes are chosen based on ability, attitude, willingness to be coached, and work ethic. Attendance is mandatory at practice and tournaments.
Playing time and position are determined by the Head Coach and will not be equal.
Teams are chosen based on date of birth for age groups and on a year-to-year basis.
RISE will field teams in the following age groups: U12, U14, U16, and U19.
Age Classifications for 2025:
U12: Players born between August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2014
U14: Players born between August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2012
U16: Players born between August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2010
U19: Players born between August 1, 2006 - July 31, 2008
Younger athletes may "play up" in older divisions, but older athletes may not "play down" in younger divisions. We prioritize athletes competing within their age classifications.
** All current travel team members will be included in the player assessment during the Winter Select Program and a team for the 2025 season will be named after the conclusion of the program.
Player evaluations will assess all individuals based on their physical ability, ability to compete, and commitment to a higher level of field hockey. This includes coachability, body language, and commitment level.
RISE aims to field teams with 16-18 field players and 1-2 goalkeepers per age group.
December 2024 – January 2025: Winter Select Program
February – June 2025: U12-U19 Travel Team practice & competition
July 2025: No team commitments
August – November 2025: U12-U14 Travel Team practice & competition
November 2025: U16-U19 compete at the Shooting Star Tournament
Travel Team players are expected to attend weekly training, starting with Winter Select sessions and continuing through spring and summer. Practice locations and times include:
Winter (December – January): Naperville Yard Indoor Facility, Sunday afternoons (1.5-hour sessions between 3 PM – 6:30 PM) during the Winter Select program
Spring (February – June): Oak Park & River Forest High School, Sunday afternoons (1.5-hour sessions between 2 PM – 5 PM)
April – June: Additional Thursday practices for U14-U19 at Quad Indoor Sports in Evanston (Times TBD)
Athletes should attend all weekly practices and, when possible, additional sessions at their nearest RISE site. Extra practices may be required as the tournament dates approach.
Example Scenario - As an Evanston Travel athlete, the player would attend the weekly practice in Evanston, as well as participate in at least one Travel Team practice each week.
We expect all athletes to attend every tournament, though we understand there may be conflicts with other sports or school athletics. Tournaments are either chaperoned (RISE arranges travel, accommodations, and supervision) or unchaperoned (parents arrange their travel).
Chaperoned trips are defined as trips that are planned, supervised, and executed by RISE Field Hockey, with all-inclusive fees. These are great team-building experiences. For longer travel, chaperoned trips cut costs so families are not also traveling, which helps to bring down the additional cost to families.
Unchaperoned trips are defined as trips in which parents are expected to bring athletes to the tournament and bring them home, as well as arrange their hotels if need be. The tournament fee includes the coaching fee and tournament playing fee.
Shooting Star Tournament | Delaware (April 2025) – U16 & U19 (Unchaperoned)
Aim 7v7 Tournament | St. Louis, MO (April 19, 2025) – U12-U19 (Unchaperoned)
Gateway Regional Cup & RCC | St. Louis, MO (May 10-11, 2025) – U12-U19 (Unchaperoned)
University of Michigan Playdate with Pinnacle Club | Ann Arbor, MI (May 16-17, 2025) – U14-U19 (Unchaperoned)
RISE Tournament | Oak Park, IL (June 7-8, 2025) – U12-U19 (Unchaperoned)
Gateway Classic | St. Louis, MO (TBD September 2025) – U12 & U14 (One-day, unchaperoned)
Dexter Playdate | Dexter, MI (October 2025) – U12 & U14 (One-day, unchaperoned)
Pumpkin Classic | Northfield, IL (October 2025) – U12 & U14 (One-day, unchaperoned)
Shooting Star Showcase | Virginia (November 2025) – U16 BLUE & U19, including committed 2026 grads (Unchaperoned)
Winter Escape Showcase | Seminole County, FL (January 17-19, 2025) – U16 & U19 (Chaperoned and the estimated fee is $1,250 per athlete)
The commitment to be a member of the RISE Travel team is also a financial commitment to families. We always will work to keep our cost as low as possible to provide quality instruction at quality facilities. As we continue to grow the opportunities to train and play more we will continue to offer payment plans for families.
Travel Team program fees from $1,750 to $3,500 depending on age group, covering all practice sessions and non-chaperoned tournament fees for 2025. U/16 and U19 team members also receive college recruiting tools, including Top Recruits Athlete Account, Honest Game Account, and skills film.
Additional costs include a $200 uniform fee.
U16 and U19 Travel Team members also receive college recruiting tools, including Top Recruits Athlete Account, Honest Game Account, and skills film.
Payment plans are available, with a monthly payment plan option from January to November 2025.