Andover Field Hockey Assistant Coach Martha Fenton ʼ83 has helped lead the talented group of athletes through the season by focusing on the team’s companionship. Her primary focus is on how the team unites.
As a coach, Fenton focuses on building up each player’s confidence. She puts emphasis on being ambitious, in order to foster an environment where each player works hard to succeed.
“Our hope with the PAFH (Phillips Academy Field Hockey) team is that their motivation is intrinsic…that it comes from within themselves, from their teammates, and from their love of the game. They should want to achieve their individual goals so that the team is successful,” wrote Fenton in an email to The Phillipian.
According to Sienna Glass ʼ27, Fenton’s coaching style is the perfect mix of toughness and supportiveness. She gets through to her players by voicing errors and paying close attention to details so that each player is getting the feedback they need, while crediting them for their hard work.
“As a coach she’s very transparent and straightforward with her players. She makes sure you do the things you need to work on, while highlighting your good qualities as a player and I think that’s really important to build confidence… She’ll definitely tell you what you need to work on…and she’ll help you along the way by giving you steps and pointers, sometimes she’ll ask you to watch videos and that’s also really helpful,” said Glass.
After graduating from Andover, Fenton went on to play four years of Division III ice hockey at Bowdoin College. Fenton, along with the other coaches, have been good resources for athletes in the recruiting process, according to Hannah Herhily ʼ26.
“I think she’s really supportive with everyone who’s looking for the college process, and [the coaches] always say ‘If you need any help…’ [and] then they’re always there. I feel like they’re super supportive, always reaching out, and they help you achieve your goals,” said Herlihy.
The center of Fenton’s coaching is her value for improvement. Herlihy applauds Fenton for her focus on the team’s dynamic and how she helps players navigate challenges, often using the team’s motto, “don’t settle.”
“She’s always talking about ‘don’t settle,’ work together, and stuff like that. So, I feel like that’s a part of her mentorship and when we’re not having our best day we talk a lot about bringing each other up and how we have to work as a team to get stuff done… [‘Don’t settle’] is just like never be comfortable [with] what you have, you can always get better, you can always do more, and as a team you should never give up and just keep pushing until you achieve your goals,” said Herlihy.
Coach Fenton’s biggest goal is to create a hospitable environment so that each player can thrive individually, and as part of the team. The PAFH team places emphasis on the its commitment to each other, rather than outcomes.
Fenton wrote, “We’ve talked about team values and common goals from the first preseason meeting. PAFH has a history of teams that are successful in large part because of their strong team dynamic, and that comes from the tone that Coach Dolan sets every day… Each team is different, but our goals are always the same: to create the best possible team experience with each player contributing in their unique ways. We strive to compete for a championship every year, but our greatest accomplishment will always be the relationships that are forged along the way.”
