The Mini Mules keep getting bigger.

In its third year, the youth field hockey program based in Quarryville has 88 participants this winter after having 60 kids last year and 40 in the first season.

"It's really nice," said Mini Mules founder Whitney McGinn, who is also Solanco High School's varsity field hockey coach. "And also, we have a lot of alumni that come back and help with it. We opened it up this year so that junior high girls could help coach, and nearly every junior high girl signed up. I think it's a good experience in leadership and coaching. A lot of girls want to ref. It's helping to grow the game even outside our district."

While most of the girls are from the Solanco School District, Mini Mules also has players from Oxford, Octorara, Penn Manor, Lampeter-Strasburg, and Manheim Township. "We try to give an option for kids who don't want to do club (field hockey)," said McGinn.

Mini Mules, which is held in the Smith Middle School gym, is divided into two groups, one for first- through third-graders and another for fourth- through sixth-graders.

In addition to introducing girls to field hockey, McGinn hopes Mini Mules will eventually help the high school program. "It's a good feeder program," she said. "The nice thing is as we are starting to get more kids in, we can put them with their school. In the older group, we have two and a half teams that are all Solanco, which is nice because you have the fifth- and sixth-graders who are going to be playing together (when they get to the junior high program). We've seen the numbers grow on junior high, and junior high had a good season (last fall). We attribute it to them getting experience through this program the last three years. They have a basic understanding of the game when they get to junior high."

Having Solanco's junior high and high school players coach and referee Mini Mules' practices and scrimmages provides them with a fresh perspective. "I think they get a better understanding of the game and the positioning," said McGinn. "They understand more when we're telling them something in a drill. They see it now from the coach's point of view. They also get a better understanding of patience and how much patience it takes as a coach. They love it. There are kids and parents who request these coaches every year because they have such a great experience."

Solanco sophomore Katelyn Masterson enjoys coaching and refereeing. "These kids are the next generation of hockey players," she said. "They have a great opportunity to do this, and I think we can help them."

Katelyn stated that she emphasizes teamwork and communication to the younger girls and encourages them to become friends with their teammates.

McGinn is grateful many former Solanco players assist with Mini Mules. Julianna Tice, a 2023 graduate, enjoys watching the girls improve. "I love the kids. They love me," she said. "I've known a lot of them since they started field hockey. It's been pretty cool to watch them grow. I had the older group, the fourth- through sixth-graders, when they were in the younger group. Even from the start (of the winter program in January) to tournament day (in March), it's amazing watching them develop and understand what they're doing."

Amanda Grumbling, a 2001 Solanco graduate, helps with the coaching. Her three daughters, Cassidy, who is in sixth grade, and twins Amber and Kinsey, who are in third grade, participate in Mini Mules. "It's a really great program to get these kids involved and excited about field hockey without pressure," Amanda said. "It's great they're learning the sport at a young age. That way, they can keep going with it."

She noted it's important to reach the aspiring players early in life. "They pick up skills so quickly when they're young," Amanda said. "They work together well. They get to be with kids they don't see during the day. It's really cool to see."

Mini Mules practices begin in January and run through the end of February, concluding with an in-house tournament in March. There is also a Mini Mules summer camp, and McGinn said she is considering an after-school program at the district's elementary schools.

For more information about the Mini Mules, go to http://www.solancosd.org and click on the Athletics tab, email solancofh@solanco.com, or visit the program's social media sites on Facebook (Solanco Field Hockey) and Instagram (@solancofh).