This book explores the unique position of field hockey as a global sport that, despite its widespread presence, has never achieved national sport status in any country. It examines critical moments when field hockey has significantly shaped national, ethnic, and community identities in specific locations, while also highlighting its pivotal role in advancing women's sport worldwide. Through diverse case studies from various countries, the volume analyzes field hockey as a competitive women's game and investigates efforts to preserve and promote its rich heritage. The research provides valuable insights into how this sport fits within broader sport history narratives and its cultural significance in the nations where it thrives.

This book is essential reading for students and professionals in sport management, sociology, and cultural studies. Sport historians, gender studies scholars, and researchers interested in women's sport development will find valuable perspectives on how sport shapes national and ethnic identities. It will appeal to academics studying cultural identity, globalization in sport, and community formation through athletic participation. The work covers broad subject areas including sport history, women's studies, cultural geography, and international sport development.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of The International Journal of the History of Sport.