By Christa Sampson
At the beginning of the pandemic, everyone was forced to take stock of how they lived, worked, and played. During this time, Toronto-based writer Perry King ruminated over the loss of opportunity for people, and especially youth, to continue to participate in sports. Throughout the pandemic it has become shockingly evident that in addition to healthcare and housing, vulnerable communities have less funding and access to sports facilities and programs. Too often, outdoor public spaces like basketball courts were found to be in disrepair and were frequently closed with lockdown restrictions. This created a huge void in an already fragile environment.
In Rebound, King starts by asking the question “why do sports even matter?” He goes on to answer it while taking a close look at various sports communities in terms of access, inclusivity, funding, and the trajectory of the athletes who play each sport.
Perry King makes the case that sport should not be considered just a childhood pastime but should form the foundation of regular physical activity from childhood into adulthood. It has been proven time and again that organized sport teaches kids valuable lessons that extend beyond the court, rink, or playing field. The pandemic took those opportunities to play away, and some communities are at risk of losing them altogether. King examines how society needs to shift to accommodate sport and make it accessible for everyone at all levels of play. This is extremely important at the community level because it helps foster a sense of belonging for newcomers.
King describes his own childhood experience playing basketball at his neighbourhood community centre and later recounts interviews with various national and international sports figures (Kobe Bryant and Karl Subban to name two) who share their philosophies on the act of participating in sport. There are chapters on sports that are not considered mainstream sports in Canada, such as cricket, rugby, and Muay Thai; although perhaps not mainstream, all of the above have huge followings. King highlights the importance of inclusivity as the common thread to increase the participation and retention of kids in sport.
Rebound reads like a literary documentary. Each chapter discusses different sports or sports-related topics, but King makes seamless connections between them, showing that sports and cultural identity are intertwined in myriad ways, and we need sports not only to thrive, but to survive. This book is not only for those who play; there are many takeaways in the pages of Rebound that are both informational and inspiring. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Thank you to Coach House Books for the complimentary copy of Rebound in exchange for an honest review.