pre 1850 industrial Britain

what are the factors affecting participation

social class

gender

law and order

education and literacy

availability of time and money

availability of transport

what sports were played in pre 1850

mob football

cricket

athletics - pedestrianism

real tennis

which classes played mob football

lower class only

which classes played cricket

upper class batted and lower class fielded

which class played real tennis

upper class

which classes took part in pedestrianism

lower class (footmen) would run or walk and upper class would sponsor

how did gender affect participation

most sports were played by men as women were seen as the weaker sex but could take part in smock race

how did law and order affect participation

no police so violent or blood sports could occur

how did education affect participation

lower class only played simple sports ad they couldn’t read the complex rules and rules were passed by word of mouth whereas upper class could play complex games as they could understand the rules

how did availability of time affect participation

lower class only played on holidays due to working long hours

upper class had more time to play sport

how did availability of money affect participation

upper class had more money and could afford equipment and courts for real tennis

lower class had little money and had to make a mob football ball out of a pigs bladder

how did availability of transport affect participation

lower class played locally as they had no way of transport

upper class had horses so they could travel to play on real tennis courts