OUR HISTORY



Venom Field Hockey was founded in 2010 by Rutger Wiese, then Head Coach at IUP, and Olivia Netzler Gray, then Head Coach at Robert Morris University. The club began in the gymnasium at Winchester Thurston with just six athletes during its first Winter Indoor season.


Following that first season, Benjamin Peters joined the coaching staff and became an important part of Venom's growth. As the club continued to develop throughout Western Pennsylvania, its leadership evolved. Olivia moved to Louisville to continue her coaching career, while Rutger moved on to become an Assistant Coach at Harvard and later the Head Coach of the USA Men's National Team.


In 2017, Benjamin Peters took the helm of Venom and continued building the club into one of the region's leading youth field hockey programs.


From its beginnings with just six athletes, Venom has grown into a thriving field hockey community serving more than 150 athletes. Throughout its history, Venom has earned numerous accomplishments, including:


  • 6 USA Field Hockey National Indoor Championships
  • 3 U14 Championships
  • 1 U16 Championship
  • 2 U19 Championships
  • 8 U19 National Indoor Tournament qualifications
  • 6 U16 National Indoor Tournament qualifications
  • 2021 Thanksgiving Showcase Champions
  • Numerous tournament championships throughout the region



VENOM TODAY


Today, Venom is led by Owner Benjamin Peters, along with a dedicated leadership and coaching staff committed to providing athletes with a structured, competitive, and supportive club experience.


Our program is organized to support athletes throughout their development, with dedicated leadership for each stage of the Venom experience:


U12/U14 Director — Sandra Zugell
Guiding the development of our younger athletes and building the foundation for their future in the sport.


U16/U19 Director — Ciara Calderone
Supporting the continued development of our older athletes as they prepare for high school competition, showcases, recruiting opportunities, and the next level of their field hockey careers.


Together, we are building on Venom's history while creating a strong future for field hockey in Western Pennsylvania.

MISSION STATEMENT


Venom Field Hockey is committed to developing confident, knowledgeable, and competitive athletes while continuing to grow the game throughout Western Pennsylvania.


Since our founding in 2010, our mission has been to provide high-quality coaching, training, and competitive opportunities that help athletes develop both on and off the field. We strive to give every player the knowledge, skills, discipline, and life experiences needed to succeed throughout their athletic journey and beyond.


Our dedicated coaching and leadership staff work to create a positive, structured, and supportive environment where athletes can grow as players, teammates, and individuals. Through a commitment to player development and a passion for the sport, we aim to prepare the next generation of field hockey athletes for success at every level.



VISION


Our vision is to grow and strengthen the field hockey community throughout Western Pennsylvania by creating opportunities for young athletes to discover, learn, compete, and develop a lifelong passion for the sport.


We believe that every athlete who wants to play field hockey should have the opportunity to do so. Venom proudly welcomes both boys and girls to learn and grow within our program, helping create opportunities for more young athletes to experience and develop a passion for the game.


We are committed to providing a supportive and competitive environment for athletes of all experience levels. Whether an athlete is new to the sport or has years of experience, our goal is to provide opportunities for every player to develop and reach their individual potential.


At the same time, we are committed to providing pathways for athletes who are ready to compete at the highest levels of the sport. As players continue to develop, they may earn opportunities to represent Venom at elite events, including National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers, national competitions, showcases, and other high-level recruiting events.


Our vision is to help grow the game beyond Venom—developing athletes who will carry their knowledge, passion, and love for field hockey with them wherever their journey takes them.