More girls now play football over the likes of hockey and netball as a decline in traditional sports continues, analysis has revealed.
Data shows that hockey participation numbers are waning, while skateboarding is an emerging force. Those taking part during school hours has grown from 20,000 in 2017-18 to nearly 43,000 in 2022-23.
Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of Women in Sport, said: “The doors have been opened in different sports for different reasons, but most noticeably there’s been a proper profile given to the great women playing them.”
Sport England figures, as reported by The Sunday Times, reveal a sharp gap in the sports taken up by girls at private schools compared to the state sector. For hockey, the figure is over 18 per cent higher at private schools, as well as 6 per cent higher for cricket.
Cycling goes to hockey’s level
With hockey’s visibility on TV virtually, well, invisible, bigger sports are feeling the effects on free-to-air. Cycling’s Tour de France coverage on ITV will end next summer, with Eurosport/Discovery taking over rights. It left commentator Ned Boulting to put cycling in the same bracket as hockey.
“Forget all the other races [outside of the Tour de France], they may as well not exist. There’s only one that matters. Obviously, I love all the races in the calendar, but I’m deeply invested in it,” he said. “For the general public, there’s only one that matters. And that’s gone now. That’s going to go into a place where, in the UK media landscape, you normally find biathlon and hockey.”
Quek back in groove despite exit
Sam Quek’s Strictly Come Dancing adventure is over after being voted off the BBC programme – despite a plethora of stars saying she should have stayed. “I’m gutted, I just want to say thank you. I’ve learned so much. Strictly has just brought that spring in my step back,” she said. “It’s just been an absolute joy.”
The Rio Olympian had said earlier in the week: “Hockey was hard but it was something I was doing since I was 10. It was in my blood already but Strictly has been a completely new challenge.”
Bishop goes to the hockey
Reverend Dr Mike Harrison has been enthroned as the 72nd Bishop of Exeter in a service at Exeter Cathedral. On his Enthronement Day, he pit stopped at White Eagle HC in Tiverton. He played with the U10s and took part in a TikTok video, also meeting Debbie Gorrod, a 74-year-old who is now in New Zealand with England Masters.
The bishop said: “It’s great to see this intergenerational activity, it really acts as social glue for the community. These kinds of sports clubs are really important for the fabric of local life.”
Hockey tractor draws attention
A Marshall roller, owned by the late Chris Leeder, which was used to roll the pitch many moons ago at Harleston Magpies HC went under the hammer as part of an eye-opening collection of old tractors last month.
The hockey roller didn’t attract big bucks but three world records were set, where a 1916 International Mogul 8-16 fetched £45,000.
