WATERVILLE — It’s the most anticipated field hockey event of the summer in central Maine because of the cause and the games — and every year, it seems, Victories over Violence gets a little bigger and better.

After raising money to benefit domestic violence initiatives throughout the area, 13 teams will travel to Thomas College for Saturday’s fifth annual Victories over Violence tournament. Here are some new things that will be featured at this year’s event.

9-ON-9 FIELD HOCKEY MAKES ITS DEBUT

In recent years, Victories over Violence has featured an 11-on-11 game and two 7-on-7 games at a given time. This year, to get even more players involved, the short-sided games are going from 7-on-7 to 9-on-9.

A total of 24 9-on-9 games will be played on Smith Field. Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty, whose team organizes the tournament, said the change was made to help more players get game time throughout the afternoon.

“With the 7-on-7, there’s a lot of kids standing around, so we tried to think of a way to get more kids involved,” Doughty said. “We’re going to go for it and give it a try. If it works, great, and if not, we’ll go back to 7s next year. I think some JV teams have played 9-on-9, so it’s something that’s happened before.”

Seven-a-side field hockey has been a hit with local programs in recent years, with many teams playing the format throughout the summer. With 7-on-7 play placing more emphasis on passing and technical ability, coaches are intrigued about how a 9-on-9 format might work.

“It’s something that will give the girls a different look,” Gardiner coach Jess Merrill said. “It condenses the field, puts more pressure on the ball and makes them react to different situations they might not be familiar with. In my mind, sure, why not? Let’s try it.”

LONGTIME OFFICIALS HONORED; BIG NAMES AMONG NEW VOLUNTEERS

Before it was Victories over Violence, the tournament was known as the Battle for Breast Cancer for a decade. For four individuals who have helped officiate it since the beginning, Saturday’s edition is their last as they reach retirement.

Rod Hall, Pam Hennessey, Charlotte Sinclair and Shannon Whiting are refereeing their final Victories over Violence tournament. The four, who have refereed field hockey at the high school and collegiate levels throughout the state, will be honored as part of the opening ceremony.

Joining them will be some well-known names in Maine field hockey. Theresa Arsenault, the coach at St. Joseph’s College and formerly at Cheverus, will be officiating, as will Bates College coach Dani Kogut. They’ll be joined by recent high school graduates Ellie Quinn of Skowhegan and Taryn Nichols and Gabi Sousa of Gardiner.

“It’s great to see all the former players come back and the college coaches get into it and start to support the event,” Doughty said. “We couldn’t do this without volunteers — just see how many games we have going on here — so we’re going to celebrate the (retiring) officials who have volunteered year after year.”

LEARNING LIFE LESSONS

All of this, of course, is about more than field hockey. Teams raise money for domestic violence initiatives throughout the central Maine area and other areas of the state represented by the 13 teams in attendance. An educational session at the start of the day is one of the key components.

Each year, players and even coaches come away from the seminar having learned something from a new perspective. Last year’s educational lesson focused on psychological violence, an aspect Doughty and Winthrop coach Melissa Perkins said is less discussed — and this year, the seminar will cover a surprise topic.

“I think young girls and even some adults don’t realize certain aspects of domestic abuse, so it’s a real conversation-starter.” said Winthrop coach Melissa Perkins. “I think the awareness it builds is really important so that they’re able to recognize signs if they’re in one of those relationships.”

SUPPORTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECTS

• Family Violence Project (Skowhegan, Lawrence, Messalonskee, Maine Central Institute, Winthrop, Erskine Academy, Gardiner)

• New Hope Midcoast (Mt. Ararat, Belfast)

• Partners for Peace (Dexter, Foxcroft Academy)

• Safe Voices (Mt. Blue, Mountain Valley)

EVENT SCHEDULE

• 1-1:45 p.m.: Community education

• 2-2:20 p.m.: Pictures and coaches meeting

• 2:20-2:45 p.m.: Team warmups

• 2:50 p.m.: Officials and team procession

• 3-3:10 p.m.: Opening ceremony

• 3:15-8:25 p.m.: Games

• 8:30 p.m.: Finale