“Sport is about being part of something bigger than yourself and has a huge part in making people feel like they belong. I am excited to be a part of a culture that fosters inclusivity”. – Hockey ACT Pride Ambassador Jesse Thearle (she/her).
Copenhagen Black Swans is a community that makes up the field hockey section of Pan Idræt, which is also a Rainbow community encouraging sport, and exercise. The Black Swans celebrated their 10th anniversary as they made their regular yearly appearance at the Copenhagen Pride Parade.
The Swans started with 6 members in 2012. They found it challenging to find new members for a good few months until they realigned their values. It was hard to sell the sport here in Denmark where minimal buzz surrounds hockey. Today, the Swans are more than just a sports club. They are a haven for anyone irrespective of gender, age, or sex to participate in a group exercise. The motto, ‘Fierce, Fabulous, Friends’, suggests the attitude within the group. I managed to speak to Luke O’Neill one of the Swan Awardees announced at their 10-year anniversary party.
Luke, one of the many experienced players at the club believes that the Swans are the club to go to if you are new to the sport and the city. The sheer number of expats who are current members of the club proves how effective the Swans are in making one feel comfortable. Their success is the product of the culture which they have nurtured tirelessly.
Esben Shane a.k.a ‘Mamma’ one of the coaches recalls that the vision is to be the best at being a team. There are no hardcore sports goals. The focus since the beginning has been to build a community.
Field-Hockey is one of the oldest sports events at the Olympic games. Denmark also participated in five Olympic games and won a Silver medal in 1920. Unfortunately, there is no hype around field hockey anymore. The top players do not contribute to popular culture in the same way footballers do. But, the Black Swans and a handful of other clubs are keeping the sport alive here in Denmark. The Black Swans are flag bearers of inclusivity and make sport mean more.
