The Committee on Women's Athletics will discuss indoor women's field hockey as a possible addition to the emerging-sports list during its January 28-29 meeting in Indianapolis.

The CWA has received a proposal from Juniata College, whose senior woman administrator Caroline Gillich also doubles as the institution's field hockey coach.

Gillich believes she can generate enough interest to garner the 10 institutional commitments required for getting indoor field hockey on the list of emerging sports.

The United States Field Hockey Association sponsors national tournaments for under-14, under-16, and under-19 teams. In 2005, 32 teams (310 players) competed in the under-14 tournament. That same year, more than 1,300 players competed on teams trying to reach the under-16 finals. Teams from 15 states and Washington, D.C., with more than 1,700 players, vied for the under-19 championship.   

"It is an exciting sport and much different from the outdoor game," Gillich said.

Instead of the traditional 10 field players and a goalie on a 100-yard by 60-yard field, the indoor game has five field players and a goalie on a court slightly larger than that used for college basketball.

Players use lighter sticks and the ball cannot be hit into the air, except for a shot on goal. The playing surface is also surrounded by four-inch boards, off which the ball can be played. Gillich cited more scoring in the indoor game, saying that it is not unusual to see teams compile six or seven goals.

"Every year more kids are coming into our program and asking if they can play indoors," Gillich said. "They have grown up playing this sport."