Rediscovering a Love for Sports - A PWHL Personal Reflection
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) started this past January, and captured the attention and hearts of thousands across North America, and the world. In particular, women of all generations and the LGBTQ+ community.
So you may be asking yourself. “Why am I writing about this topic?” Well, as a cis white straight male who played sports growing up and worked under contract for an American Hockey League (AHL) team in the early 2000’s, I observed male sport culture. As a teen or young man, I would feel overwhelmed or conflicted in these different situations. As I entered my 30’s, I felt a large disconnect between my initial feelings for different sports compared to the behaviours I observed in both personal and professional settings. I did not know what to do with these feelings, other than withdraw, as it was considered the "norm".
Then in late 2023, I showed interest in the new league and secured season tickets for the PHWL Ottawa team. Immediately, I was captivated by the energy of the players and fans as the new league took shape. Signing leaders like, former Canadian National Team head coach, Carla MacLeod, Brianne Jenner as team captain, and Emerance Marchmeyer as starting goalie, I knew we had a good professional core.
As I sat in the stands with my friend, Ottawa's first game felt different than any other sporting event I have attended. It was about hockey, but it was also about the starting of a new league, opportunities, many firsts, dreams coming true, and a younger generation seeing a path for their own talent.
TD Place averaged the leagues highest attendance. The place was loud win or lose, having season tickets in section 11 meant being apart of the 3rd period Czech dance for a couple games (wanting this to make a come back for season 2). My anxiety didn't like that kind of spotlight, but hey, you cannot be ruled by the anxiety - Right?.
The arena, season ticket holder events, and Facebook groups all became a safe spaces for women, families, local hockey teams in attendance, and the LGBTQ+ community. As an ally and with my previous experiences in sports I was emotionally moved by this movement of inclusion. I feel that it allowed me to reestablish a positive relationship with sports that I felt was lost years ago. I felt that I found SAFE places where I could be my authentic self and challenge any male nature/nature competitive sport narratives that Cunningham (2012) wrote; “men articulate more prejudices against sexual minorities [in sports] than do women in order to ensure male privilege and construct masculinity in heteronormative structures”.
Inclusion and representation in sport allows individuals to be themselves, their authentic selves. This kind of environment allows players to reach their full potential and for the fans to enjoy the journey. One fan comes to mind, Tris Sparling of the Facebook group: Red Scarf Union - PWHL Ottawa Supporters Group. Tris (Emily Clark Super Fan) states, “One of the reasons I love sports so much is the community involvement. I like to be active and part of something bigger than one or two people. I think that every day, we have an opportunity to do something good, whether it's big or small, and those decisions matter in ways we don't always see. I love my community” (Tris Sparling, August 16, 2024 post).
Lastly, Braumüller et al. (2020) highlights the need for educated, professional, and supportive coaching to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ players, and I believe Ottawa has this in Coach Carla MacLeod. Braumüller et al. (2020) states; “access to and participation in organized sport contexts can be understood as a social right, that should be granted to every individual independent of social status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity”. The impact of a coach like Carla MacLeod has an impact on the overall team, including one's culture and professional image. We will see what the 2024-2025 season - Season 2, has in store.
I appreciate the sense of belonging, acceptance, safety, respect, and NOISE the Ottawa team and the Ottawa fans (so many more to mention) are creating in TD Centre. This fan from Kingston, Ontario is looking forward to traveling north and attending the second season in Ottawa. #LFG
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