Molly Schissler, president of human resources at Brookfield-based North Shore Bank, was first introduced to the game of hurling on a trip to Ireland with her sister back in 2005.
After bringing home team jerseys of Ireland’s national sport, her son Martin became interested in the sport and soon began playing in youth leagues at the Milwaukee Hurling Club. Schissler’s husband, Jeff, joined the adult leagues later and two years ago Molly and her youngest son, Evan, joined in the fun to make it a family affair.
Now, the Schissler family spends nearly every Sunday together at Brown Deer Park competing against other teams from the Milwaukee Hurling Club.
“It’s just fun, the camaraderie and encouragement I get from my teammates and coaches is unlike anything I’ve every experienced,” Schissler said. “The exercise is great too.”
In Ireland, hurling is strictly a men’s sport, but the Milwaukee Hurling Club is one of the only clubs in the country that has developed co-ed as well as all-women hurling teams. The sport is played on a football-sized field with teams of 15 players.
Each player is equipped with a helmet and a hurley stick and teams score three points for hitting the ball, known as the sliotar, into the goal and one point for hitting it through the uprights above the goal, she said.
“It’s a great way to work out your frustrations,” Schissler said. “I’ve never really been a part of an organized sport, but I really enjoy the time we spend on the field and at practice.”
Schissler competes in the women’s only version of the sport known as Camogie. They practice about twice a week beginning in May and compete just about every Sunday throughout the summer, she said.
For more information about the Milwaukee Hurling Club visit www.hurling.net.
