MIFFLINTOWN — After two years without competition, the Juniata County School District is making a determined push to revive its junior high field hockey program this spring.

The effort comes as part of a broader plan to rebuild the sport from the ground up, starting with younger players before restoring the varsity team.

Sign-ups will be held this week at East Juniata and Tuscarora junior high schools to gauge interest from prospective players. Juniata County Athletic Director Travis Quici said the district needs at least 10 players to form a junior high squad.

School officials attempted to restart the program last year but fell short of the numbers required.

“All last year were eighth grade, and we didn’t have enough for a team,” Quici explained. The district’s initial plans were revealed at the Juniata County School District Board of Directors’ workshop meeting on Wednesday night.

This time, the district hopes renewed interest will help rebuild the foundation for the sport.

Sign-ups for the junior high program will be held all this week, and players must be in seventh or eighth grade to participate. The junior high program would serve as the first step toward eventually restoring the varsity team, which has not competed since 2023. The school has a deadline for letting the PIAA know what athletic teams will be fielded this spring. Field hockey is a co-operative sport in the county. Players from both Juniata and East Juniata compete as the East Juniata Tigers.

The varsity program has faced its own challenges, including a 36-game losing streak in Tri-Valley League play before the hiatus.

The Tri-Valley League is considered one of the top leagues in the state, with the likes of Susquenita, Greenwood, Newport and Line Mountain. Susquenita is the reigning PIAA Class A champion, while Greenwood advanced to the Class A semifinals. The two could have met in the state title tilt.

When the Tigers last played in 2023, they went 0-8 in the league and 0-16 overall. East Juniata was outscored 182-1 overall and, in TVL play, the Tigers were outscored 103-0.

District leaders believe starting at the junior high level is key to long-term success. Quici said, “Yes, that’s the ultimate goal. We know it’s going to be a challenge. And it’s difficult with the turnover.”

Field hockey has a long history in Juniata County, but participation has dwindled in recent years. Officials point to several factors, including declining enrollment and competing sports programs. “It’s tough when you lose momentum,” Quici noted earlier in discussions.

Once a program goes inactive, it takes a lot of work to bring it back.

Despite the challenges, Quici remains optimistic. He believes that with community support and a strong recruiting effort, the program can regain its footing. “We know it’s going to take time,” he said.

The district is encouraging girls in grades seven and eight to consider joining, even if they’ve never played before. Coaches plan to focus on fundamentals and skill development, making the program accessible to beginners.

Officials say the program offers not only a chance to compete but also to help revive a tradition that has been missing from Juniata County athletics for two years.

Parents and students interested in signing up can contact the athletic office for more information. For Quici, the effort is about more than wins and losses. It’s about giving students opportunities and restoring pride in a program that once thrived.