The Dutch national team and field hockey clubs are targeting athletes ages 16-24 to play Hockey5s

Bethany Dykema is pictured playing in the first Hockey5s World Cup in Oman. The event took place in 2024. Photo: USA Field Hockey

Hockey5s, a fast-paced blend of indoor and outdoor, has been controversial since its inception just slightly over one decade ago.

But, with innovation and examination, the acceleration of its popularity has caught the attention of a youthful group: mainly ages 16-24.

That doesn’t mean anyone younger or older doesn’t fit in. It’s quite the opposite in the field hockey world, where a majority of athletes often want everyone and anyone to have access to the game.

And, access is one of the key drivers of Hockey5s.

It’s less expensive. Highly fueled by energetic bursts and quick decision making.

In this condensed version of the traditional outdoor game of 11 aside, even the keepers get a taste of what it’s like to run for an entire match in just 15 or 20 minute halves.

The Hockey Paper recently published an article about upcoming events in Europe, specifically, about what the Netherlands is doing to engage the audience that loves a pulsating contest.

The Netherlands used Hockey5s as part of their trainings for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Both the men’s and women’s team left the pitch adorning gold medals.

Later this Summer and Fall, the Dutch are endorsing a Hockey5s Rabo Club Tour and Rabo City League. Robabank backs the push for more of Hockey5s.

“We hope that Hockey5s will bring to hockey what beach volleyball brought to volleyball,” Global Head of Brand at Rabobank Chris Kersbergen said in the article.

“Of course, it is still in its infancy, but we are happy to take on the challenge with the hockey association to make it bigger and more mature. To ensure that it comes out of the experimental phase - that the field size and the type of edging, for example, are clear. So that it then becomes scalable and we can hopefully retain more young people for the sport.”

2025 National Hockey5s Chocolate Cup travel tips

Thank you for reading Female Athlete News.