FQ1: How have meanings about sport and physical activity changed over time? Flashcards
Provide examples of 19th century England/colonial Australian sports?
cricket, rowing, rugby, football, tennis, billiards, foot races
blood sports - hunting, bare-knuckle boxing, cock fighting
What were the links to manliness, patriotism and character in 19th Century England/Colonial Australia?
Dominated by males
Instilled values (strength, manliness, patriotism)
Organised sport (team loyalty, discipline, sacrifice)
Muscular Christianity (health and moral, serve and defend their country)
Women aided by supporting husbands, did not participate in sport
What was the meaning of amateur and professional sport in 19th Century England/Colonial Australia?
Amateur → participates in sport without getting paid
- Higher classes: able to take leisure in playing sports
Professional → receive payment/make sport their livelihood
- Working class: looked down upon as they used sport to earn an income
- Began from gambling for lower classes, became widespread (e.g. boxing)
Classifying amateurs and professionals this way = social boundaries kept in place
Describe the nature of women’s participation in sport during the 19th Century England/Colonial Australia? Provide examples.
Sport considered manly
Women’s primary goal: care and support husband and family
Myths endorsed to limit women’s participation: damages reproductive system, degraded, fragile bone structure for contact sports, unattractive muscle bulk, etc.
- Upper class men benefitted by keeping women in their social role
Lack of participation in sport due to sexism, reduced femininity, few female sporting role models, low encouragement, societal expectations, negative experiences
E.g. 1880s girls moving skittles in patterns, gymnastics, swimming
Provide examples of contemporary sports that have evolved from the 19th century?
NRL, boxing, AFL, ARU, A-League, ICC, polo
soccer - people’s game became professional
What are the links to manliness, patriotism and character in contemporary Australia?
Manliness and patriotism are not as prominent, given sport is no longer dominated by only males
Organised sport still instils team loyalty, discipline and sacrifice
Secular society = religion is not integral
Women participate in sports the same as men, however participation levels have only just levelled
What is the meaning of amateur and professional sport in contemporary Australia? Provide examples.
Amateurs not necessarily regarded (not low-skilled)
- Poor behaviour and attitude could be restricting them from becoming a professional
Professionals highly praised and rewarded on their sporting capabilities - idolised
Not necessarily looked down upon if you are an amateur + not class-based society
E.g. USSR: sponsored and paid amateur athletes = growth in professionalism
E.g. Kerry Packer: instrumental in creating world-class professional cricket
Describe the nature of women’s participation in sport in contemporary Australia.
Few traditional beliefs and attitudes still exist → promoting sport to increase health and longevity for both sexes
Increase in the percentile of girls participating in sport, but still looked down upon in certain countries that still keep women in their traditional roles
E.g. rugby league, soccer, basketball
E.g. NSW GOV Initiative: Her Sport, Her Way
E.g. Paris 2024 Olympics - will have around 50% participating women, from the 5% in 1924 Olympics
Explain the development of professional sport in the 1970s.
Greater commercialism and professionalism
Transformation of suburban competitions into national competitions
Sports in search of larger audiences
Increased advertising and sponsorship
Explain the development of professional sport in the 1980s.
Television responsible for the popularity of new competitions
Clubs and sports organisations more dependent on sponsorship and TV broadcast deals
Competitions restructured to enhance appeal, new teams, new regions included
Since 1980s: many players have been paid 6-figure sums and above annually
- Salaries may be justified when careers are relatively brief
- Possibility of sustaining an injury that cuts short career - negotiating salaries
- High salaries - players who attract crowd + major sponsors
- General effect of professionalism = improve standard of sport everywhere
E.g. Golf: careers can be long in comparison, but earn money from sponsorships, endorsements and prize money
Explain the development of professional sport in the 1990s.
Introduction of pay TV - e.g. Foxtel Optus Vision
Rugby league split in 1995 initiated by Rupert Murdoch (Super League)
Designed to raise the profile of sport, take it worldwide
ARL (supported by Packer) launched counter proposal
Player payments skyrocketed, division at all levels (known as Super League war)
Competition between rugby union and rugby league intensified → became NRL
Rugby union went professional in 1995 and a new global competition was introduced
- Super 12: began in 1996 with teams from AUS, NZ and South Africa
1992: Dream Team in basketball
- First US Olympic basketball team to include NBA star players
- Worldwide interest in bball
Explain the development of professional sport in the 2000s.
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (and Paralympic Games) –> greatest expansion of sport facilities Sydney has seen - e.g. ANZ Stadium at Homebush
Explain the need for greater professionalism in sport (OVERALL)?
Rising costs of training
Need to travel within the country and overseas for competitions
Need for accommodation if an event is scheduled over an extended period
Medical costs e.g. physiotherapy, rehab
Demands of training - don’t allow full-time work
Audiences that have much higher expectations of players and athletes
Sponsors of major competitions - expect top-level performances constantly
Greater media attention - polished performance
Need to be competitive internationally
Fact that sport is now big business and highly marketable
