Last year, Colorado Academy’s head field hockey coach, Veronica Scott, guided her team to clinch the state championship title. The win marked her fourth state championship win since becoming a coach at Colorado Academy in 2014.
Overall, Scott has 25 years of experience coaching field hockey all over the world. Throughout her experience, she learned how coaching can become more professional as a career.
“In Europe and Australia, you coach more because you love the sport, not because it is a career option. Joining Colorado Academy helped me to see coaching as a more concrete career path,” said Scott.
Scott has specific goals for her athletes. She explained how first and foremost, having fun is the main philosophy. Beyond this, Scott said, “I want every athlete to come out at the end of the season achieving success.” This success varies from each athlete depending on their goals.
As a coach, Scott helps to foster this success for her athletes. In addition, she wants her players to learn what it means to become a good teammate and what your role is in a team. These aspects develop players outside of the world of sport.
Personally, Scott looks to continue to evolve her coaching philosophy and style. She is currently part of the International Hockey Federation at level 4, a very big accomplishment used to help develop her coaching abilities.
With this current season, Scott exclaimed how great this year’s group of girls are and their cohesiveness. She hopes to help those who are committed to the game to keep growing and to end the season with advancement.
“There are more field hockey specific players now, players who have a lifelong love of the game,” she said.
Looking ahead towards the postseason, becoming back-to-back state champions will not be easy.
“The sport of field hockey is growing, meaning you must keep stepping up and playing at a level higher than you did last year,” Scott said.
With the help of her assistant coaches, the staff is continuously looking at different ways to coach and different styles of play, since the competition keeps getting better and better.
Colorado Academy has started this season off strong, with a 4-0 overall record. Their next game is tonight, Sept. 12, at Kent Denver (3-1). Game time is set for 4:15 p.m.