Written By: Sophia Shen

Drive, pass, shoot! The Rye Country Day School field hockey team has long been a cornerstone of the school’s athletics and community. For the past four years, current senior Dorel Dunkley ‘25 has been a dedicated player of the varsity team, earning himself a place as one of the team captains his senior year. Like every other player, he loves the sport and gives his all in each practice. The only difference? Dunkley has been the sole boy on the team throughout his high school career. 

Dunkley has always loved the sport; ever since sixth grade, field hockey has been an important part of his life. He laughed when recalling his memory of joining the sport, saying, “In sixth grade, my mom accidentally signed me up,” and Dunkley arrived on the field shocked to find out there were no other boys on the team. Although he spent the next seven years being the only boy on an all-girls team, he never recalls feeling out of place. 

Reflecting on his time on RCDS varsity field hockey, Dunkley referred to the team as a “family” who always welcomed him. “I’m most proud of our team cohesiveness. We move as a unit all the time. There’s never been a time where I’ve questioned the team, and it’s very tight-knit”. 

Even when friends or spectators questioned his desire to play field hockey, Dunkley’s teammates and coaches always supported him. Head Coach Georgette Summers welcomed him from the start, helping him grow as a person and athlete. In addition, when practicing at games, coaches from other NYSAIS and FAA teams would support and commend Dunkley, giving him an overwhelmingly positive experience in field hockey.

When asked what the biggest downside was to being a boy on a field hockey team, Dunkley cited the time he found out boys wouldn’t be allowed to play in the NYSAIS league anymore and lost all playing time in games. Although the rule change was not unexpected, he recalls receiving more questions from people saying, “You really have no reason to be on the team” and to “play another sport.” However, Dunkley’s love for the sport and the team kept him playing. 

Although he had an unquestionably enjoyable experience with RCDS Field Hockey, Dunkley still has mixed feelings about encouraging other boys to play, especially at other schools. Reflecting on his time, he called his experience at RCDS “very special,” claiming that he “hopes someone would have the same experience as me, but I can’t assume that everyone would get the same kind of love at different places.” In addition, he’s skeptical about whether or not most people would be able to tolerate having no playing time in games “because, by the time I found out I couldn’t play, I had already been playing for a really long time and already cemented my place here as ‘the guy who plays field hockey.’ Because I love field hockey too much, it was easy for me to continue, especially when the program had already shown me so much love.” Someone debating joining the team now has to make their decision factoring in “the no playing time.” 

For any boy wanting to join RCDS Field Hockey, Dunkley advises them to “find the right support system and not care what anyone else thinks.” When faced with negative comments, there are just two words he likes to tell himself: “Next one.”