Meet the Coaches

This summer, Beyond Sticks is thrilled to have THE BEST coaches, college players, national team players, college coaches and international players, working with us.  In total, our incredible staff includes two Irish players and coaches, three current college coaches, two recent All-Americans and a handful of enthusiastic Division I college players.  Together they will definitely show you how to take your game to the next level.

Register here for any of our camps!

Jason Lynch

Jason Lynch, a professional hockey player, has notched 30 international caps (games) for Ireland.  Although currently playing in Germany for a professional team, he is a member of the Irish National Team and captained the Irish U18 team from ’05-’06, where he was honored as the Irish Junior Player of the year.  Besides being known for his quick-witted Irish humor and making girls laugh at his “funny accent”, his repution for technical precision, tactical awareness, and ability to illuminate the game to younger players is bar none.  Curently, he is most proud of his team beating current Olympic champions, Germany, last April and for being named the Youth Development Officer at his club in Ireland, Lisnagarvey H.C.  He is thrilled to be working our field hockey camps and clinics, and hopes that transforming local athletes’ game this summer will be another highlight for his career.

Kirsten O’Rourke

Kristen O’Rourke is in her third year as an assistant coach at the University of Richmond, a team that went to the 2011 Atlantic 10 Championship and gained berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

O’Rourke mentored the Spider’s All-American goalkeeper Anna Zarkoski for the past two seasons. Under O’Rourke’s direction, Zarkoski was named Third-Team All-American and was just named to the US U21 Junior National Squad.  Zarkoski led the nation with an .815 save percentage and her 1.00 goals against average ranked fourth in the nation.  Although you may not be looking to make the national team (yet), O’Rourke is confident she can help our local teams transform their defense and play around the cage this summer at camp.

“Kristen’s ability to teach and inspire as a goal-keeping specialist is integral to our staff” says head coach Gina Lucido. “Kristen’s great strength is her passion for the game while being grounded in details that define consistent success in our defensive circle.”

O’Rourke, a native of Williamsburg, Va., was a team captain on the James Madison field hockey team in 2010. She was a member of three-straight CAA Championship teams (2006-08). As a junior O’Rourke was a member of a defense that finished the season with 11 shutouts, ranking second all-time at James Madison.

She contributed to a team that finished first in the nation in goals against average and shutouts per game in 2008. The JMU Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete was a USA Field Hockey Futures Regional Selector, Site Director, and Head Coach.

O’Rourke has already coached at a variety of field hockey camps ranging from Circleplay Camps with Christy Morgan to Missy Meharg’s School of Hockey at University of Maryland. Her latest endeavor has been the creation of her company Next Level by KO which focuses on high level goalkeeping training as well as the management of The Next Level Games, an annual 7-aside spring playday held at the University of Richmond.

“KO”, her nickname, is the definition of using sports to empower her and those around her to be better people. She is focused, knows when to have fun, and is prepared  to work with entire teams to take your play beyond the game this June.

Kate Smyth

Kate is our second transplant from across the pond and our third coach that that has donned her national team’s uniform.  Kate Smyth has been playing hockey for 17 years (how much do you wish you could have started hockey so young!). After representing Ireland at the U16 and U18 levels, she brought her skills and very Irish sense of humor to University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship.  While at UNH, she was instrumental in helping the team head to the NCAA tournament.  She returned to Ireland after two years of school to pursue a degree in medicine, all the while playing for the Irish U21 team. Kate currently plays in the premier division in Ireland where her team will be representing Ireland in the European club championships after having won the National Title. Kate feel in love with coaching early, picking up a whistle in her teen years while injured and hasn’t stopped for the past seven years.  Currently, she coaches several teams for her local club and school, and has enjoyed working at top camps in America and Europe. Of course, she is ready for the players and teams at the Beyond Sticks camps to top them all!

Jenelle Anthony

Entering her second summer coaching with Beyond Sticks, Jenelle is excited to bring her expertise to players in the area. She is entering her second year as the Head Field Hockey Coach at Centre College. In her two years as head coach, Jenelle has lead the team to conference post-season play and winning seasons.

Anthony received her Bachelor’s Degree from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. where she was a 4-year varsity letter winner, team captain, First and Second Team All-Landmark Conference Selection and Longstreth/NFHCA All-South Atlantic Region Field Hockey Player.

Kelsey McKee

Kelsey McKee, a current member of the Indoor women’s national team, is returning for her second year with Beyond Sticks Camps. Kelsey is also a full time student and current power defender at University of Delaware.  McKee earned first team All-Conference honors this season, adding to her All-Rookie squad and second team Team All-Conference honors from her first year on the team.  She has led the Blue Hens for both years on the squad, finishing the year with 11 goals and 24 points. Kelsey is excited to teach the girls both how to defend the modern style of the game and how to master a killer shot off a corner this summer.  Be careful though, she has an accurate shot with a water ballon or a super soaker as well during camp.

Jen Ascencio 

The assistant coach at Vassar College, is a 2011 graduate of Manhattanville College and a four year letter winner of both field hockey and lacrosse. Ascencio earned 4 varsity letters in field hockey during her time at Manhattanville and was named captain her senior year. As a forward or center midfielder, she was an offensive powerhouse as the leading scorer for her team each year 2007-2009. She is currently ranked 3rd in points in program history with 75. In 2009, she was chosen for the All Freedom Conference 2nd team in addition to the All-Tournament Team at the Betty Richey Tournament, hosted by Vassar College.

Tamara Brown

A 2011 graduate of Tufts University, Tamara Brown is the school’s all-time leading scorer in both points and goals and second all-time in assists. A 3-time first-team National Field Hockey Association All-American, Tamara was also named the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. During Tamara’s four years, Tufts compiled a 65-12 record, reaching the National Championship game in 2008 and the NCAA Final Four in 2009. She was named Tufts’ Female Athlete of the Year following the 2010-2011 school year and ranks among the NCAA’s top 50 all time in points-per-game.

Currently pursuing her Masters degree in occupational therapy, she is thrilled to be back on the turf after not playing.  She coached at Tufts’ field hockey camps the past four summers, in addition to individual lessons for high school age players. Especially as a DC local, she is very excited to be a part of the Beyond Sticks coaching staff this summer!

Annie Kietzman

Annie will be joining Beyond Sticks as one of the most decorated field hockey players in William Smith’s history.  An All-American and Liberty League Offensive Player of the year, Annie holds the single season record for assists, 19, and was the top scorer. As team captain, William Smith captured the League Championship and only fell in the NCAA tournament to eventual champion, Tufts.  She has been a dynamic member of the team and also is a current USA Futures Coach in New York.  Annie looks forward to working with players on offensive techniques this summer.

Get coached by these great players and coaches during any of our summer options! We have three hockey exclusive camps (June 17-21, June 24-28 and August 5-8) and two full day clinics right after school gets out (June 20^th-21^st). Additionally, we have three weeks of multi-sport camps for younger players (July 15^th-August 2^nd).  All our camps include incredible play and play that goes beyond the game with our leadership lunches.

Don’t forget to register! Contact us directly for team pricing.