Field Hockey!
Field Hockey is one of the worlds' fastest growing sports, played in 112 countries, considering it is one of the top 6 sports in the world! The object of the game is a team sport that uses a stick to hit a ball into the goal.
The sport began back in the mid 19th Century in England, starting as the game of cricket. It started out by a majority of being a mens' sport, but once it was widespread, many women started to get involved. Many different cricket clubs were looking to reiterate the game and play during the winter months. The first Field Hockey Association was established in London in 1886. As the sport grew and more and more people were looking to get involved , Field Hockey spread throughout the British Empire. The first international competition in 1895 was Ireland vs. Wales, and in 1908, Field Hockey made an appearance in the Olympic Games in London. A few years later, Women's Field Hockey had become the majority of the sport, and became an official Olympic Sport in 1980 in Moscow.
It was introduced into the United States in 1901 by a woman named Constance Applebee when she brought the sport over from England. When she introduced it in the U.S., it was known to be too dangerous for women to play. Soon after women started getting involved in games such as croquette and lawn tennis, Field Hockey became considered the only team sport that was allowed for women. U.S. Men's field hockey began in 1928, followed by the Field Hockey Association of America forming in 1930. In 1980, it became a U.S. Women's medal sport.
Today, in the U.S. alone, there are over 19,000 players, coaches, referees and fans that are proud supporters of the Field Hockey Association.
For the 2011-2012 season, High School Girls Participation statistics showed 1,788 high schools that were involved in Field Hockey programs and 60,974 participating athletes.
The sport began back in the mid 19th Century in England, starting as the game of cricket. It started out by a majority of being a mens' sport, but once it was widespread, many women started to get involved. Many different cricket clubs were looking to reiterate the game and play during the winter months. The first Field Hockey Association was established in London in 1886. As the sport grew and more and more people were looking to get involved , Field Hockey spread throughout the British Empire. The first international competition in 1895 was Ireland vs. Wales, and in 1908, Field Hockey made an appearance in the Olympic Games in London. A few years later, Women's Field Hockey had become the majority of the sport, and became an official Olympic Sport in 1980 in Moscow.
It was introduced into the United States in 1901 by a woman named Constance Applebee when she brought the sport over from England. When she introduced it in the U.S., it was known to be too dangerous for women to play. Soon after women started getting involved in games such as croquette and lawn tennis, Field Hockey became considered the only team sport that was allowed for women. U.S. Men's field hockey began in 1928, followed by the Field Hockey Association of America forming in 1930. In 1980, it became a U.S. Women's medal sport.
Today, in the U.S. alone, there are over 19,000 players, coaches, referees and fans that are proud supporters of the Field Hockey Association.
For the 2011-2012 season, High School Girls Participation statistics showed 1,788 high schools that were involved in Field Hockey programs and 60,974 participating athletes.
Guidelines for Successful Participation in Field Hockey
- Proper equipment
- Proper conditioning
- Proper nutrition
- Sportsmanship-like attitude
Below is the participation rate of Field Hockey from February 1987 to February 2012 throughout the world.