Debate Sparks Over Boys Playing Girls’ Field Hockey After Brutal Injury

The ‘horror’ of a girl’s brutal field hockey injury from a boy’s shot has sparked a debate about boys playing girls’ sports. Dighton-Rehoboth Superintendent Bill Runey is calling on the MIAA to revisit its guidelines that allow boys to participate in girls’ field hockey. The incident occurred during a state tournament matchup between the Swampscott High girls’ field hockey team and a regional district team. The female player from the regional district team suffered significant facial and dental injuries and had to be treated at a hospital. The MIAA allows boys to play on girls’ teams in Massachusetts based on the state’s Equal Rights Amendment. Superintendent Runey believes there needs to be a renewed approach to protect the safety of athletes. The incident, captured on video, shows the moment the girl was struck by the shot, causing her to fall to the ground in pain. Play was stopped for 10 minutes before resuming. Despite the injury, the Swampscott player who took the shot scored both goals, leading to a 2-0 victory for their team. The Swampscott Athletic Director, Kelly Wolf, stated that the incident was an unfortunate injury that occurred during a legal play. The MIAA highlights that boys have been playing on girls’ teams and vice versa for over 40 years, based on the Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX. Boys’ field hockey is not offered in Massachusetts, which allows boys to play on girls’ teams. The MIAA acknowledges the concerns about student safety but argues that there is no correlation between injuries and mixed-gender teams. In 2020, opponents of boys playing against girls in field hockey proposed the creation of a boys’ league with regional teams. Superintendent Runey emphasizes the need for officials to consider safety when establishing rules and policies. He expresses his respect for female athletes and the positive experiences his own daughters had in high school athletics. The goal is to preserve that positivity for all athletes.