20th century sport

• Amateur's began to lose status and power and professionals became higher status. Society became more egalitarian - there was more equality and achievement was based on merit not class.
• Professional sport grew due to all classes being able to compete, social mobility, high rewards for pros through sponsorship, positive role models motivating others, more spectators at pro matches and pros having more time to train due to sport becoming a full time job.
• Women were still viewed as the weaker sex, to appear ladylike, had little time to participate, expected to fulfill a traditional role and were discouraged from vigorous exercise as though to impact child bearing. They participated in gymnastics, dance and tennis.
• There was increased law and order in society creating further rules and regulations, police attended events, boundaries set up on pitches, sport made safer (E.g boxing gloves), team kits created and scores and games were recorded.
• The Bosman ruling in 1995 allowed footballers to move on a free transfer at the end of their contract. The sex and discrimination act in 1975 decreased discrimination against women.
• The education act in 1944 removed inequalities in education, provide free education for every child and promote PE. The national PE curriculum was introduced teaching students skills, tactics, improving and character building. Students were able to take on various roles of performer, coach and official and participate in inter school fixtures and extracurricular sport.
• Lower class didn't work as long resulting in more leisure time for sport. There were also more opportunities to participate due to longer operating hours of facilities. More paid holiday time added additional time to participate and compete.
• There was a gradual increase in disposable income. The national minimum wage act in 1998 was set. This further increased participation.
• Transport became much more accessible allowing more people to travel to play and watch sport. Sport developed globally due to air travel. The car became a popular form of transport. There were better road networks and an increase in trains.