Girls field hockey is off and running in Aspen.

Through the enthusiastic efforts of dedicated former field hockey players and the sponsorship of Aspen Recreation, field hockey is gaining a stronghold on the Aspen sports scene.

A girls team under the auspices of Aspen Rec and a driving desire to add field hockey as a high school sport, has fueled the inaugural Aspen team.

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Silvana Cura of Aspen, who played field hockey growing up in Argentina, had been seeking an opportunity for play in the Aspen area for several years.

Working with Keith Bulicz of Aspen Recreation this year, Aspen Rec elected to offer the field hockey program using the turf field at Iselin Park.

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Instantly, there was widespread interest, according to Cura, who volunteered to coach the fledging Aspen team.

Barb Frank, a former East Coast field hockey player, joined on as a coach along with Lauren Nitti and Mariana Tedin.

Tedin also is from Argentina, where the sport of girls field hockey is extremely popular.

Players showed up in droves to learn the new sport.

“Other former players showed up, all showing great interest,” Cura said. “They bought sticks online and joined in for practices and scrimmages.”

She said as word spread more adult players showed up, including a woman from Avon who drove to Aspen just to play field hockey.

“She did not know any of us but saw the post in Facebook,” Cura said.

She said she hopes the momentum continues to build for the Aspen girls field hockey program.

Additional practices may be held this fall, weather permitting.

She said they also will resume play in the spring.

“The girls are really hoping to see this continuing,” she said, thanking the Aspen Rec Department for the opportunity to develop the girls field hockey team.

Team members include:

Fia Palmberg

Adair Pattillo

Anna Citron

Annabelle Ward

Elsie Clauss

Emily Guggenheim

Fiona Lupi

Grace Ferguson

Hazel Wille

Jozie Wille

Kaia Vresilovic

Lily Royer

Livvy Clauss

Maddy Rubinoff

Madison Osberger-Low

Nina Beidleman

Olivia Carr

Sammy Kelly

Simone Lamont

Sonya Benson

Taylor Pattillo

For more information, contact the Aspen Rec Department or Cura at silcura@gmail.com.

dstrode@aspentimes.com