Mission Statement
Richmond Panthers United Field Hockey Club
-empowering confidence, strength and leadership into our athletes-
Panthers United was started in 2005 upon learning that there was no option for Middle School Field Hockey in our school systems in Chesterfield county and the surrounding counties in Richmond, Virginia (nor would there ever be). The founder of Panthers United, Betsy Strum Ellis, has a strong background not only in the sport of field hockey, but the development of young women striving to be leaders. With a strong camping background combined with the passion of the game, she created Richmond Panthers United Field Hockey club to enrich the lives of young athletes not only on the field but off the field. The team of coaches and support staff are strong mentors for our young athletes which range in age from 4-19.
As a non- profit organization, we have a strong desire to mentor the young athletes as they grow and develop. We encourage and promote them to become role models for our younger players, while developing a strong work ethic. Creating a “giving-back” atmosphere we empower them to become strong women on and off the field. While we share our knowledge of the game with them on the fields and in practices and games, we also teach leadership skills (once they reach 8th grade) as a means to send them into their high school years with self- esteem, confidence, strength and empathy. We then hire them to assist our head coaches in younger age groups.
Athletes can bring challenges, and knowing each athlete and knowing how they respond and need you is extremely important. Allowing them to learn from mistakes, trusting them on and off the field to make good decisions in game and in life is a skill we have mastered and which sends them into the world ready to be decisive, confident and resilient.
The importance of sport and team has been proven beneficial to all areas of future careers. We have alumni that are in the secret service, teachers, lawyers, medical professional and CEOs. We believe that our job does not stop on the field of play, but helping to mold these young women into the future by teaching life lessons and mentoring them into future leaders.
From our former and current players:
“The importance of winning is not what we always strive for in our programs, we teach, counsel and mentor so that what is important on the field carries over to off the field, and if I can be a role model off the field to these young ladies then my job is done. Coaching is wonderful, but impacting a young woman’s life is priceless.”—Founder Betsy Strum Ellis
“To fully encompass all that the Panthers program has given me over the years would be an impossible task. For myself, on an athletic level, this program, and the advanced knowledge of the coaching staff that accompanies it, took a third -grade hockey player with very little insight and understanding, and developed her into an extremely successful, talented, and well-rounded Division 1 athlete. Through the effort, direction and encouragement of the coaching staff, I was graciously able to attend my dream school at The College of William & Mary, and play at the most competitive level of college field hockey. The Panthers program not only helped create incredible, long lasting friendships, but it instilled in me the great attributes of teamwork, dedication, tenacity and perseverance — all skills that I was able to take to the college level with me, and additionally helped me attain my current career. Throughout my time on the job, I have been able to consistently and continually revert back to many skills that Panthers helped to cultivate and promote during my time in the program. On a personal level, I have developed friendships, with both teammates and coaches alike, that I foresee lasting a lifetime. The staff encompasses a group of individuals who seek to truly establish a sense of security and confidence within each and every player. They strive to create a place where each individual can flourish and ultimately reach their highest potential. I cannot begin to express the endless number of amazing opportunities that the Panther program, staff, and Betsy, have afforded me over the years, but I can confidently say that my life would have taken a much different path without its incredibly positive impact on my life”.—Cameron Lloyd, former Panther Player and current member of the United States Secret Service and Rifle Team
“Not only has Panthers given me the opportunity to improve my field hockey skills, it has also given me a second family. The girls I play with and the coaches have become such an integral part of my life, and I look forward to seeing them every day at practice. I have learned so much, and I am so grateful for all Panthers has done for me!”—Madelyn Curtis, current HS Junior, Committed player to University of Richmond, and U12 camp coach
“I have been a part of Panthers United field hockey for over 15 years, and each step of the way has allowed me to grow in special and important ways. From elementary school through high school, the programs and coaches at Panthers United taught me to excel both on and off the field, initially as an athlete, but then also as a leader, teammate, and friend. Many of my favorite memories involve my years playing for Panthers. The coaches encouraged and empowered me, which helped me reach my lifelong goal of playing field hockey in college. Panthers United believes in creating opportunities for everyone to love the game, and now the program has extended to South Carolina, where field hockey is in the beginning stages of growth. Since moving to South Carolina to teach, I have had the privilege of helping launch Panthers United South Carolina, where I can continue to share my passion for the sport with others! I am so thankful for the many ways that Panthers United field hockey has impacted my life.” --Lauren Daily former Panther player, current Teacher, Field Hockey Coach and Director of Panthers United South Carolina
“Panthers has impacted my life in many different ways on and off the field. Panthers provides coaches who will always support you and encourage you to give it your all every day. With Panthers, you can meet many people who share the same passion and enthusiasm for field hockey. As a coach for panthers, I have learned many valuable leadership skills and get to share my love for field hockey with many younger players. Every practice, the coaches are encouraging us to step out of our comfort zones and push ourselves to learn and get better. They have given me the opportunity to improve my skills and learn new things in a positive and competitive environment.”—Ashlyn Schooley current HS Freshman player and CUBS coach
“Panthers has taught me leadership, discipline and resilience. My coaches have had a lasting impact on me both on and off the pitch. I am so thankful for everything this club has done for me and I wouldn’t be the person I am without it.”—Emerie Loftis, current Senior GK, U10,12,14 Goalie Coach, will Play for the University of Delaware fall 2021
From our Parents…
“Our family has been a part of the Panther organization for 15 years - our three daughters started playing in elementary school and continued through high school graduation with the club. I credit the club and its coaches with not only developing our daughters as female athletes who learned and fell in love with the sport of field hockey, all choosing to continue their sport at the D1 level in college, but as also helping to develop them into strong and confident women who have nurtured the deepest of friendships with their teammates while learning the value of living a balanced life with sport, academics and social experiences. With the Panthers our daughters have experienced the numerous benefits of being a part of a team and larger athletic club, have learned from leadership opportunities as captains and as more experienced players who understand the importance of giving back to their organization. Betsy Ellis and her staff of coaches provided tremendous learning opportunities on and off of the field that were consistently delivered in a loving and nurturing manner that built our daughters’ self esteem and helped prepare them for ongoing life challenges. I often credit the Panther organization with being a key component of the “village” that helped to raise my daughters and for that I am eternally grateful!” --Beth Nash, parent of three Panthers all attending or graduates of the University of Richmond playing field hockey
“As a parent of two daughters, it has always been a goal to teach them to be independent, confident, loving, and strong, who are also able to communicate and collaborate with others in a positive way. My husband and I knew that being a member of an athletic team would help to instill these traits, but finding the sport, coaches, and organization that have those same beliefs wouldn’t be an easy task-until we found the Panthers.
When my daughters at the age of nine and eleven tried out for the Panthers United indoor field hockey teams, we knew that we had found our “home” to help raise our daughters in that belief system. Over the course of playing indoor and outdoor hockey, we have seen both of my daughters now at the ages of 12 and 15 reaching those goals. Not only are they athletes, but the comradery between age groups helps them pass along what they have learned to younger players. All of this sense of “family” comes from the coaches and how the coaches believe in the players. I will forever be grateful for what the Panthers has done for my daughters as they each continue to grow and blossom with the guidance of Betsy Ellis and Annie Zinkavich-the two most amazing coaches who expect the best of their players! They believe in my daughters and push them to be the best young women and players on and off the field.” –Jennifer Johnson, parent of two current Panther players