Click here to register for Certification and Endorsement

ß The Emblem to signify USFHL Certified

The Requirements and Best Practices of Certified are to preserve the National League organization and governance for fairness and safety for all athletes in the US locally and through play-offs.

To submit a team into the National Club league USFHL play-offs Organizations but be Certified or Endorsed.  The Endorsed designation is only temporary for new or very small adult communities until they can meet the requirements for certification and have a separate play-in requirement for RCCs.  Certified Organizations can submit their champion team(s) directly into their local RCC.

Certified Organization Requirements for USFHL

• Competition Format Requirements
  • Minimum of 3 independent teams that compete against each other with unique rosters
  • With 3-5 teams, each team must play each other twice
  • With 6+ teams, each team must play each other once
  • Contests must be spread out by at least 1 week
  • Minimum of 7v7 format to qualify as a contest *Some regions require 11 v 11
• The organization must be a USA Field Hockey Sanctioned League or provide comparable general liability and medical insurance, governance, and compliance oversight required for safety to the National Governing Body, USA Field Hockey, by Federal mandate.  This ensures all safety criteria is met for the US Adult Athletes.  
• Umpires must also be provided to ensure safety
• Inclusive- Must provide opportunity for independent teams to join the league
• Approved process for determining the team for Regional Club Championship (RCCs)
• Organizations must have documented bylaws and leadership structure must be transparent, inclusive and represent their local adult community
• Must have formal rules for competition structure and charge dues to athletes. 

Best Practices

• Traditional 11v11 games played on Astroturf
• Separate men’s and women’s divisions
• Athletes may only play with one team
• Introduce tiered competition to allow opportunities for a wider subset of players
• Umpires should have at least their USA Field Hockey Level 1 Certification

Benefits of Certification

• Required to submit a team for National Club League USFHL play-offs which is the only opportunity for teams to get a bid for USA Regional Club Champion and the USA National Club Champion.
• Full Access to USA FH and USFHL events
• Vote for Regional Manager the advisory board of USFHL
• Support for Safe Environment:  USAFH provides Host general liability Insurance, Secondary medical insurance, Background Checks of members
• Extra Promotion and Coverage through USA Field Hockey and USFHL. 
• Registration Software with no credit card fees
• Umpire Education and Support through USA Field Hockey,
• Vendor/Corp sponsor support
• Branding and Credibility
  • Marketed as a Certified league through USA Field Hockey and USFHL list of official opportunities for adults with emblem
  • Identified on website as certified and promoted so athletes know there is a standard of excellence with emblem
• Sports Engine Page on the USFHL Website:  Authoring a page to contribute content about your organization to market to the adult community
• Recognition and awards