INDUSTRIALISATION AND THE RATIONALISATION OF

SPORT

Life in industrial society

• Pre industrial societies had little division between work and leisure.

• Leisure / sport followed agricultural calendar and were localised

• Industrialisation changed this• A clearer distinction between work and leisure

was established

Life in industrial society

• What changes happened in Britain during the industrial revolution

a) urban changes?b) transport changes?

• How would these changes affect leisure time?• How would these changes affect the sport s

that were traditionally played?

Life in industrial society

• Factory work meant long shifts• Therefore there was little time for leisure• Housing close to factories meant that there

was little open space• Sunday was the only free day they had• Passing of employment law changed this

resulting in better working conditions

Sport in industrial society

• What type of sports dida) the working classb) the upper classc) the middle class pursue at this time?

Rural Sport

• Changes in laws saw the demise of blood sports like animal baiting for the lower classes

• Hunting for upper classes survived

Town sports

• Industry lead to a widespread migration from rural areas into towns.

• Less time and less space was available for sport.• Spectatorism became more common • Factory owners created sports facilities and

sponsored work teams• Development of railways meant better transport

links so recreational trips were popular

Town sports

• A healthy, moral and orderly workforce was encouraged.

• Parks and public baths (swimming pools) were built.

• There was a shift away from traditional sports and more towards gentler recreational activities

Rationalisation of sport

• Rationalisation had begun in schools and universities with the introduction of matches between houses and colleges.

• Initially fixtures were ad hoc and rules could change mid game depending on the preference of the teams.

• As more teams became active there needed to be more organisation

Rationalisation of sport

• Clubs began to meet to form associations in order to make matches more regular and to establish rules.

• Organised sports festivals became popular in the summer

• Working classes were given Saturdays off which became a time for sport.

Questions and Research

1. What role did Oxford and Cambridge Universities have in the rationalisation of sport?

2. Churches and Factories were responsible for the setting up of many teams we know today. What teams originated in this way?

3. What were the Much Wenlock games and what were their purpose?

4. How was the Football Association set up and why?5. Pedestrianism and prizefighting were popular Victorian

sports . What were they, who participated and where were the competitions held?