Leaves are falling, buses are pulling around the block, and PVHS sports are back underway. The Perk Valley Girls Field Hockey and Boys Water Polo Teams are starting off fresh this year with new varsity coaches, Rachel Hamm and Andrew Derrick.
Coach Hamm is a Perkiomen Valley graduate who went on to play field hockey at Quinnipiac University. She coached with the USA futures program during college and later coached at the Philly Hockey Club.
“[Coach Hamm is] thrilled for the opportunity to coach at the place that got me started with field hockey,” Hamm said.
Coach Hamm has brought a new philosophy to the PV Girls Field Hockey team. It might take a bit for the girls to get used to more conditioning in their regime. Girls who made it on the team have truly earned their spot and accepted the challenge.
“[Proper conditioning] is what will wind up winning games against skilled teams,” Hamm said.
The team has progressed onto matches that are crucial to their PAC standings. Coach Hamm’s favorite part of the team is the girls’ ability to adjust to a game plan quickly and execute it well.
“I [Coach Hamm] am seeing a bright future for the program and for the seniors, they are going to have such an impact on what they do next after graduation,” Hamm said.
Coach Derrick is also a Perkiomen Valley graduate. He was senior captain of the boys water polo and swimming team. Prior to coaching boys water polo, Coach Derrick coached for the spring water polo team and is also currently coaching the Skippack swim team and PVAC.
“Being on a team in high school taught me a lot of skills that I still use till this day,” Derrick said. The season has been going well and he’s “enjoyed every second of it.” Coach Derrick added.
The boys adjusted well to his coaching and they’ve grown a lot since the start of the season. Derrick previously played with some of the current seniors on the team and is ecstatic to be back to coach them.
