1. Unit 1.2. Opportunities and Pathways
Development of Competitive Sport

2. 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

3. History of Sport A chronology
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)

4. Festivals of Sport Ancient to combat sports;
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
developing skills
establishing those with superior skills
Festivals or other such tests of military skill were used to
encourage the development of skill and
help to maintain this natural social divide.

5. Festivals of Sport The type of activities would therefore be;
The Development of Competitive Sport
Festivals of Sport
Festivals of Sport
The type of activities would therefore be;
Infrequent,
Localised, as a result of a lack of transport.
Requiring minimal equipment
Be basic in their rules and understanding
Socially divided,
Often be centred around the local inn or public house,
consequently the effects of alcohol would often encourage aggression and violence
Likely to cause damage to land and property

6. The Development of Competitive Sport
Festivals of Sport
Popular Recreation
Sport exists within society. Therefore sport will reflect that society.
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

7. The Development of Competitive Sport
Popular Recreations
Popular Recreation
Activities during this period could be categorised under the following;
Field Sports
Blood Sports
Pedestrianism
Mob Games Refined Games
Festivals
Individual Contests

8. FIELD SPORTS

9. BLOOD SPORTS

10. PEDESTRIANISM

11. MOB GAMES / REFINED GAMES

12. INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS

13. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF POPULAR RECREATION

14. Opposition to 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

15. 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