Figure 1.--.

Sports are important at most English sports. This is especially true at private (independent) schools which have a long tradition of sports. In fact manyb important schools were virtually invented at British schools. Although not stuck to rigidly the three terms usually equate to the main playing seasons. Nearly all schools would have had football or similar teams from at least the post-World War II period. An English reader writes, "I know my father and his brothers played in school teams during the 1940s. I suspect such inter-school matches would date back much further, especially so re the public schools who have fought it out on the playing fields for hundreds of years." Btitish schools do not tend to have the same arenas for scholastic sports that American schools have, but there is more of a tradition of participation associated with British school sports.

School Types

Sports are important at most English sports. This is especially true at private (independent) schools which have a long tradition of sports. In fact manyb important schools were virtually invented at British schools.

Individual Sports

A wide variety of sports are played at British schools, although the popularity varies from spoirt to sport.

Basketball

Basketball is very popular amongst boys (as Netball for girls) but is always regarded as a minor sport.

Cricket

Cricket tends to get annual resurgences when the test matches are screened. Kerry Packer introduced colour into cricket when he started the breakaway cricket tours in the late 1970s.

Football

Gymnastics

At primary/prep level gymnastics is quite popular but the senior schools don't tend to support it as much. Things such as trampoline have gained in popularity in recent years but are still low priority sports/activities.

Hockey

What is referred to as field hockey in America is commomly referred to simply as just 'hockey' whereas other variants of hockey, such as ice hockey, are referred to by their full name. The modern sport of hockey emerged in England ( mid-18th century). It is largely attributed to the growth of public (elite private boarding ) schools. These were all boys schools like Eton. And girls schools did npot exist. And at the time there were no state schools or sports played at the various other schools. The first Hockey Association on Britsin was formed and drew up the first formal set of rules (1876). Hockey by this time was a major sport at the public and grammar schools. Unlike rugby nd we think cricket, hockey was adopted as a teanm sport by the girls public and grammar schools when they began to be founded (mid-19th century). The sport today is often played on astroturf pitches and occasionally grass pitches, although this is becoming increasingly rare. This used to be a major school sportb in England , but but over time has declined, presumably because of the huge popularity of fooitball (soccer). It survived the longest in private schools. Today asfar as we can tell it is played at vert few public schools. And even less common at state schools. Unlike the United States, hockey has nerver become a largely girls' sport, but is played by girls as well a boys. One report suggests, "Hockey is slowly being picked up by primary schools in the state system and some senior schools but much depends upon the input of local clubs." We have not found a lot of information on English school hockey, but we think it is increasinghly played more as a club rather than a school sport. Ice hockey has become popular as a spectator sport, but is not common at chools, becuse an ice arena is necessary.

Tennis

Tennis tends to get annual resurgences when Wimbledon matches are screened. For those interested in fashion, check out the ball boy/girl kit at each Wimbledon as it is changed every year; more so than many of the players.

Other games

Games such as volleyball, table tennis and so on are also played quite extensively.

Rugby

Rugby is also very popular in New Zealand and Fiji. Rugby is less widely played. Social class has had a major impact on sport in Britain. Football was one seen as a working class sport. Some public (exclusive private) schools once banned football in favor of rugby. A British reader writes, "Rugby is VERY widely played. Not as popular as football but by no means a lesser sport. In some areas it is THE sport with football taking the lesser role. Schools play both Union and League rules but that depends upon where they are located. Many independent schools only play rugby (sometimes referred to as 'rugger') and only have football as a minor game." From my experience in Britain, rugby is very widely played at schools. Many schools (especially private schools) in fact give greater emphasis to rugby than football. But whith kids at home the passion is football. If you see kids playing on the street or in parks, it is normally around football they are kicking.

Schedule

Although not stuck to rigidly the three terms usually equate to the main playing seasons. A "typical" school sports year may be divided as such: Autumn/Michalmas Term ( Rugby or Football, Basketball, Cross Country), Spring/Lent Term (Rugby, Hockey, Cross Country, Football), and Summer/Trinity Term (Cricket, Athletics, Tennis). That is obviously just a top of the head example but most schools will offer main sports and then a healthy list of additional 'minor' sports and games. Some offer swimming year round, others seasonally. There is occasional upset in the UK over the availability of swimming lessons in state schools for different age groups.

School Teams

Nearly all schools would have had football or similar teams from at least the post-World War II period. An English reader writes, "I know my father and his brothers played in school teams during the 1940s. I suspect such inter-school matches would date back much further, especially so re the public schools who have fought it out on the playing fields for hundreds of years."

Arenas

Btitish schools do not tend to have the same arenas for scholastic sports that American schools have. School matches are normally watched by a few studets, staff, and parents along the sideelines.

Participation

There is more of a tradition of participation associated with British school sports.

Created: 12:02 AM 4/13/2007
Last updated: 12:02 AM 4/13/2007