Hockey in most countries is an amateur sport, although played at a high-performance level. But in some places, it can be more amateur than in others. Conditions, infrastructure, and the budget allocated to the development of the sport—all these factors influence how many sacrifices players must make to wear their national team’s jersey. Talent alone is not enough.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is glad to announce the appointment of Mike Joyce as its new Director General. Joyce had been heading the Education and Development Department of hockey’s world governing body for the last seven years.

Dreams require hard work. And Uruguay has spent many years chasing theirs. It’s not luck, there’s no magic wand—just consistency, dedication, and a deep love for the sport. Today, they have their own field and, after nearly a decade, will once again host a Pan American event. This July, they’ll welcome participants of the Men's and Women's Field Hockey Pan American Cup, and their only wish is to rise to the occasion.