It’s National Field Hockey Month, which means fans of the popular sport are able to celebrate with World Wide Web banners, social media posts, and more. Before we get into the details, let’s take a quick look at what is National Field Hockey Month and where the sport is most popular.
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The History Of National Field Hockey Month
Field hockey has been around since the 1800s, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that the sport really started to grow in popularity. This was largely due to three factors. First, the sport became a bit more accessible. Back then, most people only played on a recreational level. But with the growth of soccer and other sports, people started to see the value in playing field hockey on a competitive level. Second, technological advancements made playing field hockey easier. This meant that people of all ages could join in on the action, allowing the sport to grow even more. Finally, World War I helped to fuel the sport’s growth. As countries across Europe battled for supremacy, the sport of field hockey offered a competitive outlet for young men and women. Because of this, many cities with a large population of university students adopted field hockey as their official sport. This also helped to expand the sport’s presence in North America, where universities had sprung up across the country. Canada and the United States also adopted the sport as their official Olympic sport, and for the first time in history, the sport’s popularity was truly international.
Where Is Field Hockey Most Popular In The United States?
Thanks to the growing influence of universities, field hockey is now the most popular sport in the United States. Around 10.9 million people play the sport annually, and over 1.7 million play it competitively. The majority of these players are located in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest.
The most popular universities for field hockey include the University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Minnesota. These schools see around 12,000 players annually, making them the home of some of the most loyal fan bases in all of sports. Naturally, hockey is immensely popular at these institutions, due to their rich history in the sport. The schools that field hockey is less popular at include Ohio State University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Miami. These schools attract fewer than 10,000 players each year, placing them in the “minor sports” category. However, even the smallest of these schools have produced notable hockey players. For example, Sarah Hamilton is a 3-time national champion, and played professionally in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. She also represented the U.S. at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
How Is Field Hockey Played In The U.S.?
Field hockey is typically played on outdoor ice surfaces, such as ponds or lakes. The game itself is very similar to ice hockey, except there are no goalies. Instead, each team has a goalkeeper and two forwards. These three players can’t leave the field of play once the game has started. The remaining six players, known as the ‘bunch,’ are on the field of play, but are allowed to roam around the opposing team’s end zone. If a player is in an opposing end zone at the time of the ball’s arrival, they must catch, handle, or block the ball. The player with the ball is awarded possession, and can take the ball down the field to score a goal. The other team then tries to stop them by any means necessary. For instance, they could throw a stick or a ball at them, or even pull them down and tackle them if they’re running with the ball.
The beauty of playing field hockey is that it’s easy to play, regardless of whether you’re a professional athlete or simply looking to improve your recreational game. There’s also an infinite number of variations and rulesets, making the sport accessible to just about anyone.
The Evolution Of Field Hockey In North America
To follow in the footsteps of established sports like ice hockey and soccer, many cities in North America have adopted field hockey as their official sport. While other countries play a brand of hockey that is more akin to football, North America’s version of the sport is essentially hockey as we know it. And that’s pretty cool, because it means we have the opportunity to keep evolving the sport and making it more enjoyable for everyone.
The first organized hockey game in North America was played in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1875. However, it wasn’t until a decade later that the sport really started to see popularity. In 1895, Toronto hosted the first World Hockey Association (WHA) game, which was followed by Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa later that year. It was during this time that the sport truly started to take shape in North America. The following year, the WHA introduced the trapezoid-shaped rink, which is still used for hockey today. The NHL and the WHL followed suit in 1907 and 1910, respectively. The trapezoid-shaped rink is named after Canadian hockey pioneer, John Campbell. He helped to shape hockey into the sport it is today, by introducing the trapezoid-shaped rink in 1904. This helped to make the game more exciting, as it required faster skating, more precision, and more stick handling. This was the birth of a skill-set that is necessary for any aspiring hockey player.
Hockey began to expand rapidly across North America, with the NHL growing from six teams in six cities in its inaugural season in 1917 to 24 teams in 30 cities by 1921. Meanwhile, the WHL grew from two teams in two cities to 10 teams in 10 cities over the same time period. These teams were eventually absorbed into the NHL, further establishing hockey’s presence in the U.S. and Canada.
And let’s not forget about the American Universitys, who helped to make the sport popular at a collegiate level. Many of the country’s most prestigious universities have a hockey team, with around 180 of them fielding varsity teams. This includes some of the most famous institutions in the country, such as the University of Minnesota, the University of Michigan, and the University of Notre Dame. These schools have produced many famous alumni, including several NHL players and an NCAA champion. The growth of hockey at a collegiate level helped to expand the sport’s audience, making it more acceptable to the general public.
The Geography Of National Field Hockey Month
Field hockey is played internationally, but it’s most popularly supported in North America. There are 17 countries where the sport is most popular, with Germany and Canada leading the way. Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland also see quite a bit of action, playing an integral part in the sport’s global appeal.
The most populated country in the world that doesn’t support field hockey is China, which only has 22 countries where the sport is played. And even though it’s the most populated country in the world, population isn’t what makes up the sport’s popularity in China. The majority of the sport’s followers are in Japan, where people actually play field hockey indoors, due to the country’s chilly climate. The main streets of some of the cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, are regularly lined with stores, hotels, and restaurants, as hordes of hockey fans roam the streets looking for a good game to watch and partake in. It’s also worth noting that the country of South Korea also supports the sport quite avidly, mainly due to the influence of Western countries. The popularity of field hockey in Asia may be due to its historical ties with Western countries, given that many countries in the region saw the rise of hockey, as a result of their colonial ties with Britain, France, and Germany. For instance, the hockey team of Seoul’s Korean Institute of Sport and Recreation has been a regular participant in international tournaments, winning two bronze and one silver medals so far.
The Future Of Field Hockey In North America
The future of field hockey in North America looks incredibly bright. Not only is the sport supported by many universities, but it also boasts several professional sports teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs currently have a team in the AHL, making the transition from being an NHL team to a minor league team. The Los Angeles Kings also have a team in the AHL, as well as a minor league team in the NHL. As these teams grow and develop their players, the future of the sport in North America looks incredibly promising. Many of the country’s top players in the future are likely to come from the ranks of its professional sports teams. Which is really exciting, given that we have the opportunity to keep evolving the game and making it more enjoyable for everyone.