Why we play hockey (or any sport) is a query that has many solutions. It’s not solely totally different due to the place we reside. Our “why” for taking part in hockey is totally different for a lot of causes. And for apparent causes the totally different why’s additionally makes the “how we play hockey” may be very totally different world wide.
TL;DR
We’re getting close to the top of hockey as we all know it. The 11 v 11 recreation performed on a discipline of 100 yards x 50 yards. The place you may solely rating from inside the circle (or D). With distinctive parts just like the penalty nook. Positive the sport has recognized many modifications all through its historical past. Some with a serious affect as properly. The introduction of synthetic grass. The abolition of the off-side rule. The introduction of the self-pass rule.
Subsequent we’ll must witness the transition to hockey5s. Sadly, sport just isn’t the rationale for this newest change. Politics, enterprise and directors defending their job, are on the root of this modification. That’s why this evolution doesn’t really feel proper. IOC and our sports activities federation are promoting out on the expense of our sport.
I’m not speaking about wether you play hockey, ice hockey, indoor hockey, hockey5s, floorball, bandy, curler hockey, shinty, desk hockey or… I child you not… underwater hockey or unicycle hockey. However relatively in regards to the variations in the event you begin enjoying hockey as a result of it’s a method out of poverty. As a result of it’s a one thing they make you do in school or possibly a method so that you can get a scholarship to get an schooling. Or as a result of it’s a leisure exercise you share with family and friends and part of your schooling. Or as a result of it’s a job that pays the payments. We will all think about these totally different causes for taking part in hockey make it troublesome to handle the game world wide in the identical method.
Completely different “Why – How – What” for hockey
The golden circle is a advertising idea by Simon Sinek and it applies to lots in life, not simply advertising. In case you’re not conversant in it watch this video. So take into consideration your why for being concerned in hockey… There is no such thing as a denying the why we play sports activities or hockey may be very totally different world wide.
In some elements of the world sports activities (and hockey) is one thing you do in school or as an extra-curricular college exercise. And a organised sports activities construction for adults or seniors is difficult to search out. For some faculties it’s part of the tutorial curriculum. For others (the place schooling is also a enterprise) it’s part of the PR machine wanted to earn cash and entice new college students and sponsors. So the rationale for taking on hockey primarily is both as a result of I’ve to, it’s a compulsory factor at my college. Or as a result of it’s a method to get a scholarship so I can afford a (higher) schooling. Neither cause is more likely to to make hockey the game of your selection for the remainder of your life.
In different elements of the world sports activities (and hockey) is just thought-about to be a doable profession. A method to safe a job at an organization that makes use of sports activities as a PR software. Or if you’re fortunate and decided sufficient to turn into a professional athlete at worldwide degree making sufficient cash to assist your loved ones and have a greater alternative to land a job after your enjoying days. A system that can result in deception within the sport for many and a profession for few…
I cannot attempt to clarify the above causes for taking part in hockey. As a result of they’re too far-off from the world I reside in and perceive. I can solely attempt to clarify the best way we reside sport as a part of our life in my a part of the world, which is western Europe. It’s not the one a part of the world with this “why” for sport. There are different areas across the globe which have the same strategy and take a look at it from the identical “why”.
Why play hockey – the unique why…
I imagine the why we’ve for taking part in hockey in my a part of the world is the one that’s closest to the unique aim of sports activities as described again within the days by the Olympic motion. I do know this sounds conceited. However I’ve tried sincerely on the lookout for the great (or higher) in different setups for our sport, however was by no means satisfied by them. Possibly that’s me and the best way I used to be introduced up to have a look at the world. I’m open for the talk and all different arguments, apart from the simple method out in saying the best way we do it, simply wouldn’t work in different cultures or areas of the world. I imagine that to be a faux argument from these not prepared to think about change (and the onerous work that comes with change).
Our “why” is predicated upon two parts we have to work on our total life: well being & schooling. From this why our “how” has developed to family-centric golf equipment and our “what‘ has turn into the native/regional/nationwide leagues wherein we compete.
Dad and mom with younger kids selected hockey. To allow them to be part of a hockey membership as a spot for his or her youngsters to satisfy and have interaction with household & associates and study working collectively as a staff. But additionally to enhance their very own well being & abilities by means of perseverance and primarily a lot of enjoyable. It supplies a bodily exercise in a wholesome out of doors setting. Which stimulates working not solely the physique but in addition the thoughts. To realize the “mens sana in corpore sano” excellent. Our golf equipment present a wholesome and protected setting for our youngsters to study and follow in actual life that what’s taught at house and at school. When finished proper its makes them higher individuals. These golf equipment are sometimes an essential a part of the “village we have to elevate our kids“.
For college college students and younger adults becoming a member of a membership – or persevering with to play at their childhood membership – supplies a secure wholesome setting to wind down from the efforts required by our research or beginning up work life. It supplies a method to stay shifting . And never get caught behind a desk on a regular basis and a few totally different psychological challenges to assist clear the thoughts. Moreover it ‘s the place we study the artwork of networking. A ability that can serve us properly in our skilled lives in a while. Usually the bonds cast at our golf equipment at a younger age stay robust once we encounter one another once more in enterprise or life in a while.
For adults it’s not solely a method to assist educate our kids. The membership additionally supplies in our personal wants for staying wholesome. By way of practising sports activities and by no means cease studying about ourselves (and others) by means of sports activities. Accepting and studying to take care of every others variations, strengths and weaknesses. Mens sana in corpore sano is one thing it is best to by no means cease working at.
The top of hockey
It has been over 3 years since I wrote a column “The top of hockey“. In it I tackle the shortage of affection for the sport of hockey from the directors operating our sport. Or to say it much less dramatically the issue of getting different priorities as a substitute of being 100% devoted to hockey. My most important concern… and the rationale for predicting the top of hockey as we all know it’s that with out the respect given to home hockey (in any form or kind primarily based upon the customs in every area of the world), worldwide hockey can have no future!
It triggered a response from the newly appointed CEO for the FIH, Thierry Weil, a former FIFA advertising director, wherein he claims all the cash earned by FIH will go into growth. Nonetheless, the FIH made the selection to handle the Professional League themselves. As a substitute of outsourcing it to specialists who assured a considerable earnings. Due to this the FIH has gathered substantial monetary losses these latest years. So growth suffered.
That’s, in the event you contemplate growth to be rising the variety of gamers enjoying the sport. As a result of it’s clear to some it’s extra (or solely) about rising the variety of followers and viewers relatively than gamers. However even from that angle I doubt there was a lot development. The numbers from the “state of the sport” survey finished by FIH for the congress in 2021 wish to show one thing else. So we’ll anticipate these numbers to be defined intimately by FIH. Which they mentioned could be finished after the summer time of 2021 almost certainly. However I worry these is not going to be dependable nor related to what I imagine ought to be the one and solely goal for FIH. Rising the variety of gamers enjoying hockey in a sustainable method. Anyway… we’ll wait & see and get again to you as soon as these stats are launched.
Hockey5s, our Frankenstein’s monster
In the meantime the eye of FIH has shifted in direction of a brand new format they launched in 2013: hockey5s. Or if you’ll: the answer to an issue that doesn’t exist… In January 2019 I wrote a column in regards to the origin and the details about hockey5s and why I imagine it to be our Frankenstein’s monster. Very a lot parallel to the fictional character from e book and films, I’m satisfied a few of you’ll have grown to love the monster. As I’m certain the monster will do some good alongside the best way. Although I worry, as within the story, ultimately the monster will come again to destroy its creator. That means the push in direction of 5s will imply the Paris Video games in 2024 may very properly be the final video games the place our recreation of 11-a-side hockey can be performed.
Directors and people answerable for our sport declare they want to see 5s launched to the Video games along with the standard format of hockey. I imagine this to be naive from some and a down proper lie from others. LA 2028 will see our recreation of hockey being changed by Frankenstein’s monster if we proceed this fashion. Narinder Batra, not too long ago re-elected as FIH president, was fairly unapologetic in stating his ambitions to get 5s to the Video games. Rapidly corrected for PR causes by his CEO throughout the press convention following the FIH congress earlier this 12 months. However who’re we kidding right here…
Sport is taken hostage by the IOC
Sadly the best automobile to advertise sport – the IOC – has been taken hostage by the individuals in sports activities administration. As a way to defend their livelihood they promote out to sponsors and broadcasters who’ve turned sport right into a mere PR software for his or her manufacturers. It has degraded our sport into an leisure product. Product being the important thing phrase right here. Due to this we see plenty of the sports activities authorities led by directors who’ve misplaced contact with the unique “why” however -understandably- are extra involved with their profession and earnings alternatives.
It’s the rationale why individuals like Mr. Batra, the present FIH president, is ready to abuse our sport for his personal political ambitions. Batra solely cares about 1 factor. Bringing the Olympics to India and having fun with the political affect due to this for him in his house nation. It’s the rationale why he pushes a format like 5s, as a result of that’s what the IOC likes: extra medals utilizing much less assets. Giving the IOC what they need as a substitute of taking care of what would profit the game will get him nearer to his personal private aim: energy in India.
Is there room for professionalism and the enterprise of leisure in sport? After all there may be. In hockey additionally. However… and this is a vital however… provided that the individuals managing our sport, can present proof it’s on the service of getting extra individuals to play the sport of hockey.
Trying ahead to your feedback under. I don’t anticipate everyone to agree with me and am glad to interact in a well mannered and constructive dialogue… 😉
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