Unit 1.2. Opportunities and
Pathways
Development of Competitive
Sport
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• KNOW A VARIETY OF EXAMPLES OF POPULAR
RECREATION
• UNDERSTAND THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF
POPULAR RECREATION
• BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THERE WAS
OPPOSITION TO POPULAR RECREATION
History of Sport
A chronology
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Ancient Origins
Popular Recreation (15 – 17th century)
Public School Athleticism (18 / 19th century)
Rational Sport (19th century)
Development Of P.E. (20th century)
Amateur to Professional (20th century)
Commercialisation (1980’s to present day)
Americanisation (latter part of the 20th century)
The Development of Competitive Sport
Festivals of Sport
Festivals of Sport
Ancient to combat sports;
Skills that were essential for survival such as those used to hunt and also protect were
often the form of early competition. Hence the term “Combat sports”.
This was a means of both
o
developing skills
o
establishing those with superior skills
Festivals or other such tests of military skill were used to
o
encourage the development of skill and
o
help to maintain this natural social divide.
The Development of Competitive Sport
Festivals of Sport
Festivals of Sport
The type of activities would therefore be;
o Infrequent,
o Localised, as a result of a lack of transport.
o Requiring minimal equipment
o Be basic in their rules and understanding
o Socially divided,
o Often be centred around the local inn or public house,
o consequently the effects of alcohol would often
encourage aggression and violence
o Likely to cause damage to land and property
The Development of Competitive Sport
Festivals of Sport
Popular Recreation
Sport exists within society. Therefore sport will
reflect that society.
o
o
o
o
Cultural determinants of society:
Feudal, two tiered society – Courtly / Popular /
aristocratic and peasant / worker.
Rural, agricultural society
Lack of Law and order
Tough Life - Low life expectancy
The Development of Competitive Sport
Popular Recreations
Popular Recreation
Activities during this period could be categorised under the
following;
o
o
o
o
o
o
Field Sports
Blood Sports
Pedestrianism
Mob Games Refined Games
Festivals
Individual Contests
FIELD SPORTS
BLOOD SPORTS
PEDESTRIANISM
MOB GAMES / REFINED GAMES
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF POPULAR
RECREATION
The Development of Competitive Sport
Popular Recreations
Opposition to Popular Recreation
Opposition existed to the participation by the lower class / peasants of
popular recreation activities
Opposition from
Basis of opposition
The Church
People should be at church, with their families not
“wasting time playing”
Opposed to activities on religious days
Didn’t like the association of violence, drunkenness,
gambling etc
The Crown
National defence was seen to be threatened by the
playing of sports rather than practicing essential
military skills
Landowners
Damage to property
People should be either working (for me the
landowner) or practicing combat skills
HOMEWORK
• COPY THE SPORTS HISTORY TIMELINE
FROM PAGE 98-99
• ADD SOME PICTURES TO MAKE IT MORE
MEMORABLE (EG. PICTURES OF DIFFERENT
TYPES OF ACTIVITY FROM THAT TIME)
• ANSWER QUESTIONS 1, 2 & 3 FROM
“REVISE AS YOU GO” ON PAGE 115