Key Concepts in British Sports History

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Popular recreation

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Traditional forms of leisure and sport that were common before the industrial revolution, often characterized by their local nature and informal organization.

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Rational recreation

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A movement during the industrial revolution aimed at reforming leisure activities to be more organized, rule-based, and beneficial to society.

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Industrial revolution

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A period of major industrialization during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that transformed largely agrarian, rural societies in Europe and America into industrialized, urban ones.

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Transport revolution

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The period during which there were major changes in transportation, including the development of railways and steamships, which facilitated the spread of sports and leisure activities.

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Ex public school boys

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Refers to former students of British public schools who played a significant role in the development and spread of organized sports.

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British Empire

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The empire over which the British government ruled, which at its height was the largest empire in history and played a significant role in spreading British sports worldwide.

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Amateurism

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The practice of engaging in sports without receiving financial compensation, often associated with the values of fair play and sportsmanship.

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Professionalism

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The practice of engaging in sports as a paid occupation, which became more common as sports became more commercialized.