Field hockey, otherwise known as ‘hockey,’ has roots dating all the way back to antiquity. Modern field hockey emerged in England in the mid-19th century and the sport has grown in popularity over time. Gender balance is a core tenet of this sport; of the 30 million players worldwide, about 51% are women and 49% are men.

Field hockey made its first Olympic appearance during the 1908 Games in London, but the women’s game was not introduced until the 1980 Moscow Games. India has dominated the sport’s history as the men’s team has won eight golds and six consecutive titles between 1928 and 1956, enjoying a stretch of 30 wins. Other countries have climbed to the top of the international rankings - including Argentina, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain and France - growing the sport on a global scale.