Touch of a champ: Marblehead’s Thibodeau shares her knowledge

MARBLEHEAD — Cassidy Thibodeau, a two-time national champion in field hockey and local resident, is offering clinics for students who are looking to become better field-hockey players.

Thibodeau grew up in Marblehead and attended schools in town until she transferred to Groton School in ninth grade. She said that she changed schools because at the time, she wanted to play ice hockey in the Olympics.

“I looked at what boarding schools the 2012 national women’s team attended and decided on Groton,” she said.

While at Groton, Thibodeau played ice hockey, lacrosse, and field hockey. In time, she realized that she had the most potential to get recruited by a university playing field hockey.

“I am fortunate with how it all worked out because the recruiting process is difficult,” Thibodeau said.

She is now in her junior year at the University of North Carolina, where her field-hockey team won two national championships in the past two seasons. Because she redshirted her first year, Thibodeau has three more seasons ahead of her.

“It has been a great experience and I am grateful to be a part of it,” Thibodeau said.

After helping younger girls improve their skills during her senior year at Groton, the idea to run field-hockey clinics in Marblehead came to Thibodeau.

“I am passionate about coaching. It comes naturally to me,” she said.

Last summer, Thibodeau gave private lessons on both field hockey and lacrosse. So far this summer, she said her field-hockey clinics have been well-attended. Her first session had a mix of 10 high-school and middle-school girls each night, and she worked with them on their skills and gameplay.

“I am hoping to grow field hockey on the North Shore,” Thibodeau said. “Last week, the girls said they learned a lot. I am hoping to have them return.”

Thibodeau’s final field-hockey session will be held on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tower School at 75 West Shore Drive. The clinic is open to students in the third through 12th grade and costs $150 per session.

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