While ISBHF events bring together the most talented players worldwide, the true essence of ball hockey is found in local arenas, driveways, and streets across the globe. Parents bring their children to these spaces, where young players can develop characteristics that shape who they are and who they will become. Parents, guardians, and grandparents recognize that ball hockey is crucial to their children’s development. But why do parents dedicate so much time and energy to ball hockey? Why do they believe it is important to their children’s development? What do children gain when they enter the dressing room, meet new friends, or step onto the floor and chase after one another? This article stops to think about the life lessons children receive through ball hockey. By asking parents from around the world a few simple questions, we see transnational themes and characteristics that demonstrate the ability of ball hockey to be a foundational aspect of children’s lives.
The ISBHF spoke with parents from local clubs and national teams in Slovakia, Czechia, Canada and the USA to ensure a diverse perspective was reflected in this article. Parents were asked three questions that allowed them to reflect on why they put their child into ball hockey, the valuable lessons they have learned, and the most rewarding part of their journey. By looking at the responses from parents, these questions highlight the significant role that ball hockey plays in children’s development.
Question 1: What inspired you to introduce your child to ball hockey, and what has kept your family involved in the game?
The first question parents were asked was, “What inspired you to introduce your child to ball hockey, and what has kept your family involved over the years?” Parents from all nations mentioned how friends, classmates, teachers, and school recruitment programs all influenced their decision to enroll their child in ball hockey. The ability of ball hockey to travel by word of mouth and to draw in new families is a testament to the sport’s connection to the community. As ball hockey grows, these grassroots movements demonstrate this sport’s impact on families and children worldwide. Additionally, parents highlighted the excellent physical fitness that comes with playing ball hockey. This sport takes immense stamina to continuously sprint up and down the floor while focusing on stick handling and making the right pass. By playing ball hockey, children develop strong physical fitness that they will benefit from as they grow up. Parents also enjoy the accessibility of ball hockey. A sport that can be played indoors or out, with minimal equipment and low entry fees, enables parents to be flexible with their schedules and budget.
The second half of the first question is “What has kept your family involved over the years?” Here are a few responses:
“The coaching staff’s approach to children in sports and character development, along with the club’s atmosphere.”
“We stay because of the club’s spirit and atmosphere, and our son is proud to wear the team jersey.”
“It was an exciting sport to be involved with as it became a community of players and parents over the years.”
These answers tie into the interconnected, caring, passionate ball hockey communities that keep the game alive worldwide. Coaches are highlighted as loving and compassionate, allowing children to develop their skills on the floor and their character off of it. Local clubs are passionate about their players, giving children something to play for. They go out there and work hard for their friends, families and coaches. As the years go on, many players on teams stick together, forming lifelong friendships not just between themselves but between families, too. The answers to this question show that parents firmly believe ball hockey benefits their children. Although the respondents are from three different nations, their answers remain identical when highlighting why their children entered ball hockey.
Question 2: What are the most valuable lessons and skills your child has gained from playing ball hockey on and off the floor?
After learning why and how children joined the sport, we asked parents, “What are the most valuable lessons or skills your child has gained from playing ball hockey on and off the floor?” Parents chose numerous characteristics to explain how ball hockey has impacted their child’s development. Some parents focused on physical skills such as agility, endurance, strength, flexibility, stick-handling, spatial awareness, game anticipation, and playmaking. These are crucial for higher-level playing and can be transferred to other sports. However, many parents recognized that ball hockey teaches children much more than physical fitness; it fosters a place for growing and developing new skills such as communication, teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. This can be seen in the many answers from parents.
“Through ball hockey, my son has gained teamwork skills, learned responsibility, and an understanding that they are a team, regardless of individual skill levels.”
“Everyone is different, and we must support and utilize each other’s strengths while accepting weaknesses. My child has gained perseverance, discipline, and friendships while learning to respect and support teammates and building a team spirit.”
“The ability to deal with adversity by adapting to each situation is a great skill to have on and off the floor.”
“They learned the importance of playing as a team member and that being the top goal scorer doesn’t mean you are the best player; it takes all team members.”
These quotes demonstrate the shared values of parents from around the world. Ball hockey transcends sports, permeating everyday life. Children need to learn how to communicate, make new friends, work with others and remain resilient in the face of a seemingly impossible challenge. Through ball hockey, children learn how to enter new teams and build new friendships; they see each other several days a week, whether on the floor or at school. A significant lesson children learn is understanding how to turn setbacks and defeats into a work ethic and motivation for triumph and victory. When a team loses, they rally together in an unspoken pact, understanding that everyone will work harder for each other so they can achieve their collective goal. The arena is more than a playground; it is also a classroom where young girls and boys build their character and learn what it is to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Question 3: What has been the most rewarding part of supporting your child’s ball hockey journey as a parent?
The final question to parents was, “What has been the most rewarding part of supporting your child’s ball hockey journey as a parent?” This question allows them to reflect on their children’s journey in ball hockey and recall the joyful moments shared between friends, families and coaches.
“Seeing the motivation and joy in his eyes, his eagerness to attend training and tournaments. This sport shapes him into an athlete and a person with strong life values.”
“The feeling of pride in the club’s identity, the team-oriented nature of the sport, love for the game, and the coaches’ exemplary and motivational approach to youth – they are real role models.”
“One of my children played and consistently won at the provincial and national level. This has been something that has come up in job interviews as employers recognize the integrity and work ethic of a player who can maintain that level of play while attending school or working.”
These responses reflect ball hockey’s ability to bring families joyful and exciting moments. Children enjoy the thrill of the game, playing and laughing with teammates, competition, and making lifelong friends. Parents understand that by enrolling their children in ball hockey, they become a part of a tight-knit, passionate community where kids learn essential life lessons from dedicated volunteers and mentors. Even after children are done playing ball hockey, the skills and experiences they have learned stay with them. One parent shared that their child is asked about their time in the sport in interviews with employers. Employers and schools love seeing that competitive team sports are on a resume because it demonstrates that they are hardworking and communicative team members who are relied upon for important tasks.
One Community Across Nations
Despite asking parents from four different nations and having numerous answers, the deep transnational ties of ball hockey can be found. Through shared experiences in arenas worldwide, ball hockey has established communities that teach their children life-long lessons of hard work, resilience and teamwork. The game’s significant impact is undeniable, proving that the true power of ball hockey follows its players beyond the boards.
