Girls - Hockey vs. Figure Skating
Jan/Feb 2013 PS Magazine
In the November issue of USA Hockey magazine it was reported
that in the past 10 years, participation in girl’s hockey has increased close
to 40%; for the 2011-2012 season, 67,000 girls and women were playing hockey.
If USA Hockey can maintain that pace, the number of girls
playing hockey could exceed those who are figure skating within another 20
years. While rink owners and operators would love that, it should concern those
who earn their livelihood in the figure skating market.
In Rochester ,
Minnesota
In the State of Hockey (MN), there are 126 high schools with
at least one girl’s team. Massachusetts has 82
high school girls teams, Wisconsin 33, Michigan
30, and Illinois
just 15.
Why is the number of girls playing hockey skyrocketing while
ours are stagnant? We often hear that we lack a marketable star, but can anyone
name a famous female hockey player? To the general public, I don’t see any lady
hockey player more recognizable that any of our top girls. Maybe it’s
financial…figure skating has a reputation as being expensive. I don’t think
that’s it, especially when parents are paying $300
for hockey skates, $100 for a helmet, $50 each for a chest protector, shin guards, and elbow
pads, $100 for pants, $100 for gloves and up to $300 for stick. A
season of travel hockey can run anywhere from $1000 - $15,000 and up, depending
on various factors. Of course figure skating and hockey are both referred to as
elitist sports…only the rich participate. There are politics in hockey just as
there is in figure skating…what is it?
Could it be the potential of college scholarships for hockey
players? There are currently 35 DI and 51 D III women’s hockey teams. But is
that truly it? The reality is that only about 1% of hockey players receive that
full ride. Are they having more fun? Are hockey dad’s pushing there girls into
hockey?
The only reasonable conclusion a person could point to is
the public favors hockey over figure skating. It has to be our image…Tonya
Harding, judging scandals, negative media, and the divisiveness IJS has caused
with our current and former fan base. Image is everything!
Point in case – a new reality series “Jersey
on Ice” on TLC. The sneak preview available online is disturbingly offensive to
those who coach. The show focuses on four coaches, all non-PSA members, who try
to one up each other. In the 2:00 minute preview, these coaches who are wearing
more make-up than a Vegas show-girl, and display a wide variety of poor
professional conduct. There are multiple instances of swearing, coaches arguing
in front of their skaters in public and one shot of the four sitting in a bar
having a drink! Personally, I am extremely disappointed. This show is a very
selfish act on the part of these so-called coaches that could have a large negative
impact on a sport that is already fighting for every skater.
I feel like I've written this
editorial before…I KNOW I have written this before, many times in fact. We all
have to do a better job of selling our sport. We need to keep it fun, exciting,
and fresh. Coaches have to be professional, live it! Judges have to keep
improving, and become more accessible to coaches and skaters. While US Figure
Skating, PSA, STAR and ISI must work together to build a stronger industry, US
Figure Skating and PSA must work harder together to grow and keep figure
skaters in figure skating.
Comments