SPORT AND SOCIETY

• characteristics of pre-industrial Britain (pre-1780)

  communications and transport was limited

  widespread illiteracy - working class was uneducated

  harsh and violent conditions were the norms for lower class

  limited free time for working class back work was based on the land and free time was dictated by the agricultural season

  class divisions

  most lived in rural areas
• popular recreation

  sports associated with the lower class society in pre-industrial Britain
• characteristics of popular recreation

  local

  simple/basic rules

  violent/aggressive/unruly

  played on occasion

  played in rural areas

  using natural resources

  clear division in activities played by lower class and upper class
• why was popular recreation activities like mob football banned as the nineteenth century progressed

  violent and unruly in nature

  associated with drunken behaviour leading to injury or death

  can lead to a damage in property

  involved gambling and alcohol consumption
• real tennis characteristics

  an exclusive activity - only played by the upper class

  complex rules could be written down as upper class were well educated

  played to a high moral code so it lacked violence and played in a civil manner

  played on a regular basis due to having plenty of leisure time

  played in expensive, purpose-built facilities with expensive equipment

  non-local in nature as players could travel
• rational recreation characteristics

  respectability - non-violent and emphasis on sportsmanship

  played regionally/nationally/regularly

  stringent administration and codification

  referees/officials

  purpose built facilities

  skills/tactics based
• effects of the Industrial Revolution in the first half of the 19th century

  migration of lower class into urban areas - no room for traditional mob games

  lack of leisure time

  lack of income

  poor health

  loss of rights

  lack of public provision
• effects of the Industrial Revolution in the second half of the 19th century

  health and hygiene improved - living conditions, street conditions

  gradual increase in wages

  more time for sport

  new middle class

  influence of ex-public school boys

  the values of athleticism

  industrial patronage - factory teams set up

  improvements in transportation and communications -trains

  became cheaper to travel
• urbanisation

  large numbers of people migrating from rural areas into towns and cities, seeking regular work in the factories
• features of urbanisation which contributed to the development of sport

  lack of space - led to the development of facilities

  large working-class populations - needed entertaining by having large crowds as games

  loss of traditional sports - need for new sports to emerge

  changes in working conditions - sports attendance improved and participants among the working class increased
• ways trains contributed to the development of sport

  movement of teams/spectators - enables faster/further travel for players and fans leading to nationwide fixtures and regular games

  improved access to different parts of the country - develop from local to national with leagues forming from all around clubs

  cheaper train travel - working classes were able to follow their teams home and away

  improved access to the countryside - activities such as rambling became popular as rural areas became reachable and affordable
• communications in the development of sport

  education for working class improved

  rules could be made

  communications improved as society became more literate

  developments in print media increased the knowledge and awareness of of sport

  this led to the emergence of role models and sporting heroes
• provisions through factories

  working class experienced a reduction in their working hours (e.g Saturday half day)

  skilled manual workers were the first to get this

  workers wages provided enough to pay the gate money entrance fee

  broken time payments provided increased opportunities for working class factory workers to play football at a professional level

  playing professional football was a more desirable job compared to the factory work alternative
• reasons why the church promoted sport

  sport encouraged social control through civilised activity that didn't involve drinking and gambling

  church facilities provided venues for 'improving the morality' of workers through muscular christianity

  sport was viewed as a good way of promoting christian values

  it encouraged good attendance at church
• how the church provided more opportunities for sporting involvement

  the approval and active involvement of the clergy gave encouragement to the working class

  church organised teams, clubs and competitions (e.g. Aston Villa)

  church provided sports facilities in their church halls and on their playing fields
• the emergence of the middle class in the development of sport

  codification - development of strict rules and formation of NGBs (e.g. the FA in 1863)

  competitions - development of leagues

  public provision - development of public facilities

  increased leisure time - middle class factory owners gradually gave workers more leisure time which allowed more time to participate and watch

  move to professionalism
• ways the British Empire spread the playing of sports

  as teachers they developed teams and taught values

  as industrialist/factory owners they set up teams and gave time off to play competitive sport

  as clergy jay developed church teams or became missionaries and took sports abroad

  as diplomats they travelled the world with sport

  NGBs - codified sports and established leagues / competitions which eventually spread internationally
• local authorise - public provision and its influence

  increase the health and fitness/personal hygiene of the working class

  help regain prestige for the local area by providing public facilities

  increase social control and civilise society (out of pubs and away from alcohol)

  improve productivity in the workforce snd raise the morale of the community
• characteristics of public schools

  boarding - plenty of time

  boys-only cohort

  families needed to pay fees - facilities, equipment

  schools had large grounds - plenty of space

  strict discipline
• public schools and the promotion of sports/games

  public school reforms led by Thomas Arnold promoted more regulated sports which provided exercise and healthy competition

  this included sixth-form prefects involved in organisation - gained valuable organisations/leadership experience to which they can apply out of school

  team games developed leadership qualities - teamwork, loyalty, courage
• public schools and the promotion of ethics through sports

  emphasised high morality as a key value in their playing - sportsmanship, respect for everyone

  Arnold helped develop 'muscular christianity'
• public schools and the 'cult' of athleticism

  the development of character through sport - a fanatical devotion to the playing of sport

  the nature of this was a combination of physical endeavour with moral integrity
• development of NGBs in the development of sport

  more clubs and teams were being formed which needed controlling

  clubs formed to control eligibility

  there was a need for codification - standardised rules

  clubs required regular competition against a range of teams - organised by NGBs
• amateurism and professionalism

  amateur - a person who played sport for the love of it snd receives no financial gain

  professional - a person who plays sport for financial gain
• gentlemen amateurs in the nineteenth century

  public school boys / oxbridge students

  high status

  had wealth

  had plenty of free time

  viewed participation as good for character building

  played lots of sports

  played sports to a high moral code
• working-class professionals in the nineteenth century

  state education background

  low status

  had very little wealth

  had very little free time

  viewed sport as a way out of poverty

  specialised in a single sport

  played sport with a low level of morality
• early twentieth century amateurs

  high status

  controllers of sport

  top performers

  high morals
• modern day amateurs

  lower status

  some high level performers are not professionals

  there has been a blurring in the separation of amateurs and professionals

  performance at top level is open to all

  some amateurs receive finance to cover their expenses
• positives of modern day amateurism

  codes of amateurism are still evident in British sport - sportsmanship and fair play

  amateurism is viewed positively and promoted

  sports like the rugby union maintained their amateurism until late into the twentieth century, and still have code of conduct based on such principles, like calling the ref 'sir'
• modern-day professionalism

  all classes can compete

  people are respected for their talents and efforts

  high rewards for professionals through the media and sponsorship

  more time to train, leading to higher standards of performance

  celebrity status, more media coverage

  positive role models

  money invested in sports enable competitions to take place and operate
• lawn tennis

  had set rules and suited middle-class suburban housing with lawned gardens

  walls and hedges ensured privacy from lower class who were excluded

  middle class had sufficient funds so purchased equipment

  game eventually spread to the lower class via public parks, leading to public provision
• lawn tennis and the participation of women

  positive role models inspired participation

  lawn tennis aided women as it could be played in the seclusion and privacy of their own gardens

  women could play the game as a 'minimum-exercise activity' following a modest dress code (full body coloured by high necked, long sleeve dresses)

  it wasn't too vigorous and didn't cause women to sweat as it was seen as unladylike
• the Wenlock Olympian Games

  1850 - the Olympian Class which was set up to promote moral, physical and intellectual improvements and prizes where won by successful participants which encouraged people

  Dr William Penny Brookes - inspired to create such an event because of his work as a doctor and surgeon

  October 1850 - first games help, mixture of athletic and country sports (football, cricket, running, hurdles, cycling)

  1867 - traditional athletics - track and field

  Baron Pierre hosted the first modern olympics in 1896 - Athens and established the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• rationalisation and development of track and field athletics

  athletics events became popular in town and cities, with purpose built tracks and facilities in most major cities by mid nineteenth century

  walking and running races took place

  large numbers of spectators came (up to 25,000)

  wagering was common

  class division was evident as it became a rationalised activity

  upper and middle class amateurs ran for enjoyment or ti test themselves, lower class ran for money and were deemed professionals