Robidoux, M. (2002). Imagining a Canadian identity through sport: A historical interpretation of lacrosse and hockey. Journal of American Folklore, 115, (45), 271-282.

In his article, Robidoux claims, the origin of the national identity of Canada is closely connected to sports and competition. He also stated that the modernization of sport not only involved the style and rules of play, but also symbolized the introduction of organization, dictatorship and a political structure. The modernization of sport however had an underlining of imperial assimilation as European sports, such as cricket, were being introduced. Robidoux suggests that George Beers, a politician, used sports as Canada’s way of escaping Imperialism and creating unity between Canadians. Beers used the native game, Baggataway, that was soon modernized and renamed to Lacrosse, as a perfect game for the new Canadian identity because it represented the aggressive behaviours that were respected and said to be embodied in a true Canadian. Robidoux suggested that Lacrosse, in design, gave Canadian males an opportunity to display their superiority over one another in competition. Competition became so aggressive and dominant by the working-class and natives, that the upper-class invoked amateurism, which was highly exclusive and made the working-class and native competitors virtually unable to compete. Ultimately Lacrosse became so exclusive that the working-class turned to other sports, of them hockey was the most popular. Robidoux claims that hockey had the aspects loved in lacrosse and the frozen playing ground symbolically embodied the cold rough terrains of Canada. Robidoux argues that hockey represented the Canadian spirit and gave Canadian a pastime for all classes to share equally. Canadians played hockey aggressively and provided them with an opportunity to impress and prove their masculinity that had been admired by Canadians throughout history.