I am creating this petition today drawn from a deeply personal experience. As a child, I attended a school where dodgeball was played frequently and it quickly transformed into a horrifying breeding ground for bullying. Unable to maintain on the field for longer than a minute, I was a prime target for persistent and damaging harassment. This bullying, borne out of dodgeball matches, scarred my childhood.

Dodgeball is essentially an encouraged form of bullying, as it allows stronger, more athletic players to target and overpower weaker or less coordinated individuals under the guise of a “game.” It creates an environment where aggression is rewarded, and those who struggle with speed or strength are repeatedly singled out for elimination. Instead of promoting teamwork or inclusion, it often reinforces social hierarchies and gives certain students a free pass to humiliate others, all while being cheered on by peers and even teachers.

Dodgeball has been criticized by many researchers and psychologists alike for promoting aggression and bullying. A 2012 study by The Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology highlighted that non-elimination games encourage positive development in children as opposed to elimination games like dodgeball. It's about time we replace dodgeball with these, to ensure a safer and more inclusive environment in our schools.

Through this petition, I implore the education authorities to ban dodgeball from all school sports curricula. This step would greatly reduce cases of bullying and create a safer space for students with undiagnosed conditions like EDS, consequently promoting their physical well-being. Please join me in making schools a better place for all children and sign this petition. Every signature counts.