Alex, this is one of the saddest things I find about sport - the barriers to entry and the gatekeeping. Field hockey in particular is terrible for this, particularly how the only way children, teens and adults engage with it is through formal competition. We are about to begin our juniors season and there is so much tension in ensuring we have enough players in the correct grades, split boys and girls. I would love to be able to welcome a newbie jumping the fence asking to just join in. But that is lost in this professionalised, organised sport culture pervading from top all the way through to the bottom. I'm sorry you had this experience in the sport I love. But am sadly not surprised.
Oh the gate-keeping, I can't believe I forgot that brilliant word! I would like to think with care-full and hopeful people in the system like yourself, we might be able to welcome those fence jumpers once again someday 🙏
Awesome article Alex!
Good thoughts to think about participation is only part of the puzzle - the environment they participants walk into is key.
Alex, this is one of the saddest things I find about sport - the barriers to entry and the gatekeeping. Field hockey in particular is terrible for this, particularly how the only way children, teens and adults engage with it is through formal competition. We are about to begin our juniors season and there is so much tension in ensuring we have enough players in the correct grades, split boys and girls. I would love to be able to welcome a newbie jumping the fence asking to just join in. But that is lost in this professionalised, organised sport culture pervading from top all the way through to the bottom. I'm sorry you had this experience in the sport I love. But am sadly not surprised.
Oh the gate-keeping, I can't believe I forgot that brilliant word! I would like to think with care-full and hopeful people in the system like yourself, we might be able to welcome those fence jumpers once again someday 🙏