Dighton-Rehoboth Field Hockey Team Forfeits Game Over Male Opponent
The Dighton-Rehoboth field hockey team forfeited an upcoming game against Somerset Berkley due to safety concerns regarding a male player on the opposing team. This decision follows a serious injury to a female player from Dighton-Rehoboth caused by a male player last year.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 3 |
Novelty | 6 |
Positivity | 5 |
Reliability | 8 |
Actionability | 2 |
Society | 6 |
Journalism | 4 |
Highlights
- The Dighton-Rehoboth field hockey team forfeited a game against Somerset Berkley to avoid facing a male player on the opposing team.
- This decision follows a serious injury sustained by a Dighton-Rehoboth player last November when hit in the face by a shot from a male player.
- A new policy was implemented by the Dighton-Rehoboth school committee allowing teams to opt out of games against teams with opposite-sex players.
- The Massachusetts Equal Rights Amendment allows boys to play on girls' teams when there is no equivalent male team.
- The forfeit marks the first time the new policy has been invoked since its implementation.
Perspectives
- Superintendent Bill Runey and the Dighton-Rehoboth school district support the decision to forfeit, emphasizing the importance of safety over competition and hoping other schools will adopt similar policies. [3][7][9]
- Some commentators express concerns about the inclusion of male players in girls' sports, arguing that it poses safety risks and undermines fair competition for female athletes. [7][8][10]