BELCHERTOWN — The Belchertown High School field hockey program is still in the early stages of its existence.

The program debuted in 2015 with a junior varsity team, and after two years at that level it will look to move forward and play as a varsity independent in 2017.

“The goal is go varsity,” athletic director Bruce Hastings said.

When forming a new athletic program in the MIAA, the program must participate at the junior varsity level for two years before it can apply to play varsity competition.

If the Orioles become a varsity program next season, they will then need to play two seasons as an independent team before they can be eligible to join a conference.

The Orioles will be eligible to qualify for the Western Massachusetts Tournament as a varsity independent.

The Orioles were coached by Kara Drake, who guided the team to a 7-2-3 record in her first season at the helm. She was very excited by the progress the team made over the course of the season.

“The level that the girls started out at in August and what we have seen the past few weeks in phenomenal,” Drake said. “They have developed skills and passion, and that is very rewarding as a coach.”

Drake and Lindsey Wright run the youth field hockey program in Belchertown. The program is for players in grades 2-8 and has three levels: Bantam (grades 2-4), Juniors (grades 5-6) and Seniors (grades 7-8).

The program began in 2010 with 14 players. This year, the program has grown to have 65 players for three teams.

The youth program has helped the high school team develop over the last two years. The familiarity has helped Drake.

“I had these eighth-graders coming in, and there was eight of them that I had been coaching for five years and I knew everything about them,” Drake said.

While the move to varsity could be challenging, Drake thought that the size of the team could impact the team’s success at the varsity level.

“I think it depends upon numbers,” she said. “We do have a good chance.”

The team is set to add six freshmen next season that Drake has coached in the past. But perhaps the most promising sign for the team is the return of starting goalie Kiersten Laramee. The senior will bring experience and leadership the defense on a very young team.

“Our starting goalie is going to be a senior next year,” Drake said. “She’s one of those kids you love to coach.”