Chapter 11
- According to a famous quotation (attributed to the Duke of Wellington) the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton school. This is probably untrue, as at the time of the battle in 1815, most popular games had not yet been invented. But what do you think he meant? What are the benefits of doing games/sports at school? Should girls be encouraged to play football and other traditionally male sports?
- Research a sport or game that is indigenous to Britain, and prepare a presentation for class.
- Discuss the view that sportsmen and sportswomen are entertainers who should earn whatever the market can bear.
- Due to public demand, some blood sports, such as hunting with dogs, are now illegal in Britain. What are the arguments for and against their abolition? Do you agree with them?
- How has the experience of going to watch your favourite sport changed over the years? Consider factors such as the cost of tickets, all-seater stadiums and the prohibition of standing, stewarding, catering, match-day entertainment and the attitude of the club towards fans. Has it changed for the better? If so, in what respects? If not, how could it be improved?
- Take the example of a country outside the UK and answer the following questions about sport there: Is racism or sexism a problem in sport? If so, how is it expressed, in which sports is it most common, and what should be done about it? Contrast the situation with the context in Britain. Are there adequate facilities for disabled sportsmen and women? How could they be improved? Is the situation similar to, or different from the UK?
- Some types of sports and games are found only in certain parts of Britain. Research some examples, and discuss their local/regional/national significance. Who plays them now, and who watches them? Are they important for a sense of local/national identity and pride? Compare and contrast these with some regional sports/games from another country?
- Research the music of one of the UK’s home nations and/or sports clubs. Consider, for example, the national anthem and traditional songs of the club. Who wrote them, who sings them and when? What is their purpose?
- Taking the example of a country and/or sports club you are familiar with, research their music in terms similar to those above. Compare and contrast them with the examples given from the UK. Who wrote the songs, who sings them and when? What is their purpose? Would you like to change them? If so, why, and what would you replace them with?
- What differences are there between watching your favourite sport on TV, and watching the event in the stadium? Is it a comparable experience?
Books
Birley, D. (1993) Sport and the Making of Britain, Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press.
Cashmore, E. (2004) Beckham, Cambridge: Polity Press.
Dunning, F. and Murphy, P. (2014) The Roots of Football Hooliganism: An Historical and Sociological Study, London: Routledge.
Flint, J. and Kelly, J. (2013) Bigotry, Football and Scotland, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
Goldblatt, D. (2015) The Game of Our Lives: The Meaning and Making of English Football, London: Penguin.
Hargreaves, J.A. (1994) Sporting Females: Critical Issues in the History and Sociology of Women’s Sports, London and New York: Routledge.
Hill, J. (2004) Sport, Leisure and Culture in Twentieth Century Britain, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Holt, R. (1990) Sport and the British: A Modern History, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Holt, R. and Mason, T. (2000) Sport in Britain 1945–2000, Oxford: Blackwell.
Ismond, P. (2003) Black and Asian Athletes in British Sport and Society, London: Palgrave
Jarvie, G. (ed.) (1991) Sport, Racism and Ethnicity, London: Falmer Press.
Polley, M. (1998) Moving the Goalposts: A History of Sport and Society Since 1945, London: Routledge.
Polley, M. (2011) The British Olympics: Britain’s Olympic Heritage 1612–2012, London: English Heritage.
Webster, D. (2011) World History of Highland Games, Edinburgh: Luath Press
Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac, published annually for the past 133 years, is a mine of information about cricket and the most recent season. It also contains a summary of the rules of the game.
Journals
The daily and weekly newspapers all carry information about sport and current issues in the game. For more academic coverage, see The International Journal of the History of Sport, The Journal of Sport HisGoal! – film about the 1966 World Cup in England
It’s Not Black and White – documentary about racism in football (2012)
The Game of Cricket British Council documentary on cricket (1950)
Empire of Cricket – Documentary about the history of cricket (2009)
ABC Bodyline – It’s Just Not Cricket – documentary on English cricket and ‘bodyline’ bowling (2012)
The Spirit of Wimbledon – tennis documentary on the tournament’s history (2012)
Sporting Sisters – Muslim women in sport (2012)
Being a Sport – debate about women in sport (2013)
The Football War – documentary about sectarian rivalry in Glasgow (2013)
Football’s Most Dangerous Rivalry – documentary (with subtitles) about Celtic v Rangers (2012)
Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football (2008)
Cheese rolling in Gloucestershire, England
The Highland Games in Perthshire, Scotland
Extreme ironing