Does Size Really Matter?

Does the size of an athlete determine their skill level? No, size does not determine skill level. There are many athletes who are more on the smaller side and really do have amazing skills.

Lets look at some specific sports and how size impacts those sports. Soccer, for example, it is okay to be smaller. In fact, soccer teams have a very large variety of athletes because different positions require different skills and sizes. Same with basketball, a guard is typically much smaller than a forward because they need to be quicker both on offense and defense. Football is the same way as soccer and basketball; you typically need larger men for blockers and defense and running backs and wide receivers are smaller, very quick and athletic. But looking at hockey, size does play a more important role. Hockey players have to be both quick and strong on the boards. Unfortunately, even if you have the skill, size affects a player's chance of making a team. If a smaller, more skilled player tries out for a college team, and a bigger player with decent skills tries out, the bigger guy may get the position over the smaller guy.

Matthew Amato is a junior in college and size did affect him and prevented him from continuing playing competitive hockey in college. Matt is 20 years old and has been skating for 18 years, following his father’s footsteps who has been playing hockey for 40 years. He started playing for the Tri- County Saints when he was 5 years old and moved on when he was 12. He then played for North East Elite Hockey out of Walpole for 2 years. After that he played for the Taunton Bruins up until he was 18. In between all of that, Matt played Varsity Hockey at Bishop Feehan High School for all four years, being the only freshman making the varsity team his first year. He received the EAC All-Star award in 2012, proving that he has the skill and talent but coaches couldn’t see past his size.

Matt no longer plays competitive hockey. Unfortunately, his size got in the way. Matt is 5’8” and about 145 lbs. Though he doesn’t play competitively, he still shows his love and passion for the game. Matt is involved with hockey about 4 times a week between working, playing, reffing, and coaching. He has been coaching on Saturday’s for about 2 years, working for the hockey rink he practically grew up playing in. He has reffed hockey for about 4 years now. Matt said, “Although I don’t play competitively in college, I love what I do. I am trying to make the younger kids better players and sharing my skill. Hockey is my passion and I love seeing the kids I teach improve. This one kid just wanted to play but he didn’t even know how to skate. With him already being 16 years old, it was hard to catch him up to most 16 year olds but he has improved so much”. He also said, “All I want to do is spread love for the game”.