Today
That's me, No. 5.
Photo Taken February 2014
NHL Winter Classic- Big House, Ann Arbor, 01/01/14
A Little later...
Moving On...
Playing Rugby at age 11
I still continue to play Rugby
But I have also picked up an interest in other sports:
- Hockey: I am a huge Red Wings Fan
- Baseball: I enjoy following the Detroit Tigers
- Football: I share in the pain of watching the Detroit Lions
And some other past times:
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Rock Climbing
- Archery
At my first Tigers game, May 2011
Wearing my Lions shirt in Anchorage, AK
Age 11:
I began to play Rugby.
Why?
Moved onto a High School. A good grade gave me the opportunity to attend a good academic institution.
At Belfast High School:
- Rugby was dominant
- Was an 'integrated' school (Both Protestants and Catholics
- Made to purchase a Rugby Jersey, Made to play Rugby 2 times a week.
I embraced this game and ditched Soccer.
Why?
- My friends played
- My Father and Grandfather supported me on Saturdays
- I was more coordinated when I played
That's me on the right.
Age 4-12:
As I grew up I became more involved in Soccer teams on a Saturday as well as playing at School.
Engaged based on the ideas that:
- As a young, Protestant male playing Soccer was expected of me.
- This idea came from my family, my friends and my community.
- There were limited options available to me.
Sport played: Soccer
Position Played: Goalkeeper
Reason: My Grandad played this position and through playing, I discovered I was good at it.
Short Observations...
My parents always supported me doing physical activities, getting out of the house and making new friends.
My father would often come watch my games.
I do remember times he would tell me that I wasn't suited to a position within a sport because I was 'too short' or 'too tall' or 'not fast enough.'
Dad was always more involved: driving to and from practice, attending games, taking me to watch professional games
Mum was supportive but at a distance
Conclusion
Early Experiences
Sport has shaped, and will continue to shape my life...
From What I can remember...
- My earliest experiences of sport came at Primary School (Like Elementary School)
- I was 4 years old, competing in a 'sports day'.
- Lesson of the day: Being first is good.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
As a child...
- Sport came in limited forms
- Playground games such as tag, playing soccer in the garden (yard) or at the park and watching games on TV
As I become more involved in the industry, meet others and gain new experiences, I hope that the sporting world will start to open more doors and shape my future.
Thanks for watching and listening.
Feel free to add me in the following places:
uk.linkedin.com/pub/matt-hill/40/a50/a38/
- I was conditioned to like masculine sports.
- The most dominant in my culture was Football (Soccer)
- I supported Manchester United
In relation to Age:
- I was young and living in an urban area.
- Parents viewed 'going far' as dangerous
- I was the first born.
In relation to Class:
- We were working class. No resources to equipment or upper class sports
In relation to Race:
- Predominantly white country (99%)
- British working class sport- Soccer
In relation to Family:
- Both parents were mostly supportive early on, reinforcing that winning is the best possible outcome but not a disaster if not attained.
- Father was a keen fan of Soccer and played with me when I was young.
Divided country between the "Protestants" and the "Catholics". What side you were on decided;
- where you lived
- where you went to school
- what sport you played
- what friends you had
- what clothes you wore
As a protestant:
- I went to a protestant school, in a protestant neighbourhood.
- Played "protestant" sports like Soccer
- Was given a "Protestant' name at birth
- Wore clothing that would not suggest I was "Catholic"
- Stayed out of "Catholic" neighbourhoods.
Matt Hill:
A 'Sportography'