Why we play hockey (or any sport) is a query that has many solutions. It’s not solely completely different due to the place we dwell. Our “why” for taking part in hockey is completely different for a lot of causes. And for apparent causes the completely different why’s additionally makes the “how we play hockey” may be very completely different world wide.
TL;DR
We’re getting close to the tip of hockey as we all know it. The 11 v 11 recreation performed on a subject of 100 yards x 50 yards. The place you’ll be able to solely rating from throughout the circle (or D). With distinctive parts just like the penalty nook. Certain the sport has identified many modifications all through its historical past. Some with a significant affect as effectively. The introduction of synthetic grass. The abolition of the off-side rule. The introduction of the self-pass rule.
Subsequent we’ll should witness the transition to hockey5s. Sadly, sport shouldn’t be the explanation for this newest change. Politics, enterprise and directors defending their job, are on the root of this transformation. 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 fairly concerning the variations in case you begin taking part in hockey as a result of it’s a manner out of poverty. As a result of it’s a one thing they make you do at college or perhaps a manner 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 completely different causes for taking part in hockey make it troublesome to handle the game world wide in the identical manner.
Completely different “Why – How – What” for hockey
The golden circle is a advertising idea by Simon Sinek and it applies to rather a lot in life, not simply advertising. In case you’re not aware of it watch this video. So take into consideration your why for being concerned in hockey… There isn’t a denying the why we play sports activities or hockey may be very completely different world wide.
In some components of the world sports activities (and hockey) is one thing you do at college or as an extra-curricular faculty exercise. And a organised sports activities construction for adults or seniors is tough to seek 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 generate profits and appeal to new college students and sponsors. So the explanation for taking on hockey primarily is both as a result of I’ve to, it’s a compulsory factor at my faculty. Or as a result of it’s a solution to get a scholarship so I can afford a (higher) schooling. Neither motive is prone to to make hockey the game of your selection for the remainder of your life.
In different components of the world sports activities (and hockey) is simply thought of to be a doable profession. A solution to safe a job at an organization that makes use of sports activities as a PR device. 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 taking part in days. A system that can result in deception within the sport for many and a profession for few…
I cannot try to clarify the above causes for taking part in hockey. As a result of they’re too far-off from the world I dwell in and perceive. I can solely try to clarify the way in which we dwell 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 method and have a look at it from the identical “why”.
Why play hockey – the unique why…
I consider the why now we have for taking part in hockey in my a part of the world is the one that’s closest to the unique objective of sports activities as described again within the days by the Olympic motion. I do know this sounds smug. However I’ve tried sincerely searching for the nice (or higher) in different setups for our sport, however was by no means satisfied by them. Possibly that’s me and the way in which I used to be introduced up to take a look at the world. I’m open for the controversy and all different arguments, apart from the simple manner out in saying the way in which we do it, simply wouldn’t work in different cultures or areas of the world. I consider that to be a pretend argument from these not keen to think about change (and the arduous work that comes with change).
Our “why” relies upon two parts we have to work on our complete 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 during which we compete.
Mother and father with younger youngsters selected hockey. To allow them to be a part of a hockey membership as a spot for his or her youngsters to fulfill and interact with household & buddies and find out about working collectively as a crew. 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 atmosphere. Which stimulates working not solely the physique but in addition the thoughts. To realize the “mens sana in corpore sano” best. Our golf equipment present a wholesome and protected atmosphere for our children to be taught and follow in actual life that what’s taught at residence and in class. When accomplished proper its makes them higher folks. These golf equipment are sometimes an essential a part of the “village we have to increase our youngsters“.
For college college students and younger adults becoming a member of a membership – or persevering with to play at their childhood membership – supplies a steady wholesome atmosphere to wind down from the efforts required by our research or beginning up work life. It supplies a solution to stay shifting . And never get caught behind a desk on a regular basis and a few completely different psychological challenges to assist clear the thoughts. Moreover it ‘s the place we be taught the artwork of networking. A ability that can serve us effectively in our skilled lives afterward. Typically the bonds cast at our golf equipment at a younger age stay sturdy once we encounter one another once more in enterprise or life afterward.
For adults it’s not solely a manner to assist educate our youngsters. The membership additionally supplies in our personal wants for staying wholesome. By means of practising sports activities and by no means cease studying about ourselves (and others) by means of sports activities. Accepting and studying to cope with every others variations, strengths and weaknesses. Mens sana in corpore sano is one thing you must by no means cease working at.
The tip of hockey
It has been over 3 years since I wrote a column “The tip of hockey“. In it I deal with the shortage of affection for the sport of hockey from the directors working 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 explanation for predicting the tip 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 could have no future!
It triggered a response from the newly appointed CEO for the FIH, Thierry Weil, a former FIFA advertising director, during which he claims the entire cash earned by FIH will go into growth. Nevertheless, the FIH made the selection to handle the Professional League themselves. As an alternative of outsourcing it to specialists who assured a considerable revenue. Due to this the FIH has amassed substantial monetary losses these latest years. So growth suffered.
That’s, in case you contemplate growth to be rising the variety of gamers taking part in the sport. As a result of it’s clear to some it’s extra (or solely) about rising the variety of followers and viewers fairly than gamers. However even from that angle I doubt there was a lot progress. The numbers from the “state of the sport” survey accomplished by FIH for the congress in 2021 need to show one thing else. So we’ll anticipate these numbers to be defined intimately by FIH. Which they mentioned can be accomplished after the summer time of 2021 most definitely. However I concern these won’t be dependable nor related to what I consider must be the one and solely goal for FIH. Rising the variety of gamers taking part in hockey in a sustainable manner. 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 the 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 concerning the origin and the details about hockey5s and why I consider it to be our Frankenstein’s monster. Very a lot parallel to the fictional character from ebook and films, I’m satisfied a few of you’ll have grown to love the monster. As I’m positive the monster will do some good alongside the way in which. Although I concern, as within the story, in the long run the monster will come again to destroy its creator. Which means the push in the direction of 5s will imply the Paris Video games in 2024 might very effectively be the final video games the place our recreation of 11-a-side hockey will likely be performed.
Directors and people answerable for our sport declare they wish to see 5s launched to the Video games along with the standard format of hockey. I consider 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, just lately re-elected as FIH president, was fairly unapologetic in stating his ambitions to get 5s to the Video games. Shortly corrected for PR causes by his CEO in the course of 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 car to advertise sport – the IOC – has been taken hostage by the folks in sports activities administration. In an effort to shield their livelihood they promote out to sponsors and broadcasters who’ve turned sport right into a mere PR device 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 loads 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 revenue alternatives.
It’s the explanation why folks 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 residence nation. It’s the explanation why he pushes a format like 5s, as a result of that’s what the IOC likes: extra medals utilizing much less sources. 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 objective: energy in India.
Is there room for professionalism and the enterprise of leisure in sport? After all there’s. In hockey additionally. However… and this is a crucial however… provided that the folks managing our sport, can present proof it’s on the service of getting extra folks to play the sport of hockey.
Trying ahead to your feedback under. I don’t anticipate everyone to agree with me and am joyful to interact in a well mannered and constructive dialogue… 😉
