‘It’s just girls’ hockey’: Troubling progress narratives in girls’ and women’s sport

Abstract

The current historical moment abounds with social ideologies suggesting that girls’ and women’s sport has come a long way. Narratives of achievement, success and the gains that have ostensibly been made over the last three decades hold up these ideologies. In this interview-based study, we consider girls’ minor hockey in Southern Alberta, Canada to examine whether and how historically entrenched inequalities are being challenged, eradicated and/or maintained. To do this, we consider how gender systems are simultaneously resisted and reproduced in girls’ minor hockey in this region thus, positioning it outside the ‘triumphant feminist tale’. In so doing, we highlight the importance of critically considering progress narratives of growth and success in girls’ and women’s sport.