emergence and evolution of modern sport

• pre industrial: women were seen as weaker sex so no strenuous activity

  • lower class women - smock races
  • upper class women - archery or horse riding
• pre industrial britain had very little law so sport was violent, contained animal cruelty and was often dangerous
• upper class sports

  1. cock fighting
  2. real tennis
  3. cricket
  4. fox hunting
  5. pedestrianism (betting)
• lower class sports

  1. mob football
  2. cock throwing
  3. pedestrianism (participating)
  4. bare knuckle fighting
  5. cricket
• amateurs were people who took part in sport for pleasure not financial gain
• professionalism is when people engaged in sport for financial gain
• an amateur gentleman played sport whenever they wanted with high morality and with a sense of fair play
• a working class professional played sport very little due to long hours with emphasis on winning and was open to bribes
• in 1829 the metropolitan police act was passed which meant rough sports got banned like mob football
• in the 19th century a half day Saturday was introduced which led to the development of factory teams
• urbanisation led to an increase in working hours so wc people were too tired to participate in sport
• during the 19th century the emergence of the middle class led to an increase in upper class sports
• in the 19th century wc people had very little money so could not afford equipment for sport however professionalism helped increase participation
• during the 19th century there was big increase in spending for transport as production increased this led to national/international competitions being created
• in the 19th century leagues and regular fixtures started due to an increase in transport
• in 1891 the compulsory age for school was raised to 12 which meant attendance in school was up to 82% so more kids were literate and could understand rules
• Thomas Arnold

  • worked at Rugby school
  • wanted his pupils to grow to be moral Christian gentleman
  • revised the fagging system
  • promoted regular sport
• the development of the house system in schools created inter-school competitions and led to teamwork and leadership opportunities for pupils
• old boys network is when public school boys left school and they helped spread sport in the wider community
• 7 parts of old boys network

  1. oxbridge
  2. community leaders
  3. army officer
  4. parents
  5. teacher
  6. industrialists
  7. priests/clergy
• the 'cult of athleticism' was a way to develop physical endeavour and moral integrity it was referred to as a cult as members were fanatical about sport
• 'muscular christianity' was a belief that sport would make people better Christians by developing their character, self control and discipline
• in the 20th century people who were amateurs and professionals was not based on class anymore but skill
• the creation of public facilities helped create greater equality in the 20th century
• during WW2 women's sport was at an all time high but when the men returned from fighting they banned women's sport
• in 1970 the ban lifted and ever since then the media aim to promote women role models
• in the 20th century planes meant more regular internationals e.g. 1930 first World Cup in Uruguay
• cars meant more people could travel in their own country so spectatorship increased
• the Hillsborough disaster lead to safer stadiums and improved regulations
• the equality act in the 20th century lead to decreased discrimination
• in the 20th century there was an increase in leisure time so an increase in participation and spectatorship
• in the 20th century working hours decreased and holiday hours increased so more leisure time for most people which increased participation in sport
• in the 20th century people had an increase in disposable income which they could spend on sport
• there is still a divide on sports that different classes can play e.g. golf vs football
• Butler education act 1944 meant PE was compulsory in schools
• in the 21st century commercialisation has led to the pricing out of the working class
• in the 21st century there is still gender discrimination and stereotypes e.g. girls dance and boys play football
• in the 21st century sport has become less violent, safer, fairer and discrimination has decreased
• in the 21st century technology has reduced working hours
• recessions have led to people spending less money on sport and leisure