Globalisation Of Modern Day Sport Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define globalization
Globalisation of sport refers to the process by which sport has spread across the world and become part of a global culture. It involves the worldwide movement of players, teams, spectators, merchandise, and media.
Key features of globalization
- International Movement – Athletes and teams compete worldwide.
- Media Coverage – Global broadcasting increases sport exposure.
- Commercialization – Global brands sponsor events and athletes.
- Migration of Talent – Athletes play for clubs/countries internationally.
- Rule Standardisation – Global rules and bodies ensure consistency.
Impact of globalization on sport and society
• Increased participation and viewership
• Economic growth through sponsorships and media rights
• Promotion of international unity and diplomacy
• Cultural awareness and integration
• Potential issues: loss of traditional/local sporting values, commercial dominance
What was the British empire
• The British Empire spread British culture, including sport, across its colonies.
• The Commonwealth Games began in 1931 as the British Empire Games, involving only countries within the Empire.
• Sport “followed the flag” – as Britain colonised areas, they introduced sports like cricket, rugby, and football.
• British settlers (Army, Church, Traders) played and promoted these sports abroad.
• Indigenous populations often copied British sport to emulate status and identity, helping spread and develop these games globally.
How did Britain globalize sport
-UK 1st modern society
-UK 1st country to rationalize
-sport followed the flag, sports developed the same time as the empire
-UK citizens took the sport and played it in many countries
-other nationalities wanted to copy
-religion spread sports as a mean of civilizing cultures
-army influence
-trade links under the UK influence
How British Institutions Spread Sport
Army
• Soldiers played sport for fitness, morale, and to relieve boredom.
• Took sports with them to the colonies, helping to globalise British games.
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Church
• Promoted ‘Muscular Christianity’ – linking moral values with physical activity.
• Missionaries introduced sports in schools abroad, encouraging discipline and British values.
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Colonial Administration
• Public school boys went abroad to help govern the empire, taking their sports and values with them.
• Used sport to promote social order and control.
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Industry
• Factory owners created works teams to promote health, loyalty, and productivity.
• Often sponsored local clubs, encouraging the growth of community sport.
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Education (Public Schools)
• Codified and organised sport, teaching values like teamwork, discipline, and fair play.
• Promoted athleticism—the belief in physical effort and moral integrity through sport.
• Games became compulsory, school days were restructured to include afternoon sport, and sports days were introduced.
• Facilities improved and professional coaches were hired, often funded by former pupils (Old Boys).
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Universities (Oxford & Cambridge)
• Became a melting pot where school sports were mixed and formal rules were created (e.g., Cambridge Rules of Football 1848).
• Graduates, known as “Blues”, carried rationalised sports into wider society.
• These individuals often took roles in:
A Cacti Cup mnemonic:
• Army
• Church
• Administration
• Clubs
• Teaching
• Industry
They spread sport through their careers, helping establish it across the Empire.
Explain what is meant by the phrase exporting the games ethic
This refers to athleticism developed in public schools, the concepts of fair play, honesty, communication, integrity, loyalty, leadership, following rules and sportsmanship.
Exporting
-This refers to the initial role of the “Blues” taking the sport to the wider British society as detailed in A CACTI CUP and diffusing the ethics into society.
-Expanding to the role of the British Empire. Colonies taking the sports up and the associated ethics. The notion of sportsmanship and “shaking hands” is a British custom that has been successfully transported across the globe.
British empires impact on the sport of rugby
Australia: Rugby introduced by the Army and visiting ship crews. First formal club: Sydney University RFC (1864).
New Zealand: Introduced in 1870 by a New Zealander educated at a London Public School. Widespread by mid-1870s.
South Africa: Brought in 1861 by an English headmaster at a religious school in Cape Town. Nationally adopted by 1883.
Rise of International Fixtures: Growth in the 1870s, especially among the Home Nations, helped formalise and globalise rugby.
British empires impact on the sport cricket
-India (which was eventually broken up to become India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) was colonised from 1612 onwards, and the East India Company (a British Trading Company) introduced cricket at this time.
-The West Indies began to be colonised in the 1670s, and cricket was introduced straight away.
-Cricket was introduced to Australia almost as soon as it was colonised in 1788.
-New Zealand and South Africa were both colonised in the early 1800s and cricket followed soon after.
- fixture USA V CANADA cricket 1844/ashes
Development of International Sport
-British sports like cricket, football, and rugby became global.
-Introduction of formal competition structures and international fixtures (e.g. The Ashes, international rugby tours).
-Standardised rules allowed global competitions.
How international sport was affected by the empire
Military
- games were spread by soldiers, teachers and missionaries, commonwealth games
Transport
- to other countries increasing their awareness of colonial causing the use of colonies to spread
Christianity
British education system
- copied by colonies
British armies
- there was a desire to encourage fitness in colonies to stock British armies
Rugby and the empire
- Australia: the army introduced rugby
- New Zealand introduced rugby by New Zealander boy that went to public school
- South Africa- Englishman became head master
Cricket
- India was broken up and was colonised and the east india company
- British trading company introduced cricket
Creation, Development and Impact of National and International Governing Bodies
Examples:
• National: The FA (Football Association), ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board)
• International: FIFA, IOC (International Olympic Committee), World Rugby
Roles:
• Regulate and govern the sport.
• Maintain standardised rules.
• Organise competitions and leagues.
• Develop talent pathways.
• Promote inclusivity and fair play.
Impacts:
Positive:
-Professionalism and structure in sport
-Global competitions and growth
-Support for grassroots and elite development
Negative:
-Potential for corruption (e.g. FIFA scandals)
-Inequality in resource distribution
-Cultural dominance of Western norms
When did ngb’s start to develop
At the same time as the rationalisation and globalisation of sport, National Governing Bodies of sports began to emerge in Britain.
What were the reasons for the development of NGB’S
- Standard Rules Needed – Due to different regional versions and better transport linking areas.
- Education’s Role – Public school boys took admin roles and helped formalise sport.
- National Competitions – Growth in leagues and fixtures needed central control.
- Rational Recreation – Decline in violent popular recreation pushed for structured sport.
- Middle-Class Control – NGBs helped maintain control over working-class professionals.
- No Government Involvement – Autonomous bodies formed to regulate sport.
- Influence of the ‘Blues’ – Oxbridge graduates led formation of bodies like the FA.
- International Expansion – Export of sport meant fixtures and rules had to be managed.
- Professionalism – NGBs regulated contracts, discipline, and behaviour in sport.
- Club Affiliation – NGBs registered clubs/players, offering insurance and resources.
- Equality & Access – Set equity policies, ran inner-city and affordable sport schemes.
- Promotion & Role Models – Used development officers and elite athletes to grow sport.
International governing bodies
-Tend to oversee international competitions such as World Championships/Cup.
-They make decisions over venues and where to host these events.
-IGBs regulate rules and dictate rules to national governing bodies which results in them takeing a lead in discipline matters.
-IGBs set their drug policies and are responsible for doping control (in conjunction with WADA).
-Finally IGBs make commercial and media deals in the interest of their sport.
The benefits of Governing Bodies of sports:
-The development of sport to national & international commodities.
-The facilitation of national & global competition
-The rise in status of the sport and the sports star
-The increased national importance of sporting success as viewed by governments
-The importance of sport for financial revenue at local, regional and national level.
-The use of media sources to both promote and generate income and facilities
-Many NGBs have been able to evolve in light of societal changes
The criticisms of Governing Bodies of sports:
-Increased levels of corruption both at an individual, sport and national level e.g. athletes taking drugs, sports association with deviance, institutionalised/state sponsored doping
-Increased levels of gamesmanship/cheating
-The contradictory expectation of a NGB to both promote and police its own sport
-The exploitation of media sources at the expense of sport
-Some NGB’s have remained somewhat archaic
The Modern Olympic Games, World Cups, and Major International Events-context and impact
Context and Impact:
-Symbol of unity: Peaceful competition among nations.
-National pride and identity: Success can boost morale and nationalism.
-Economic impact: Tourism, investment, job creation.
-Urban regeneration: Infrastructure improvements (e.g., London 2012)
The Modern Olympic Games, World Cups, and Major International Events- issues in bidding, staging and competing
Bidding:
-Costly and competitive
-Political motivations
-Allegations of corruption/bribery (e.g., FIFA World Cup bids)
Staging:
-High costs and potential debt
-Environmental and social disruption (e.g., displacement of communities)
-Security concerns
Competing:
-Doping and cheating
-Political boycotts
-Pressure on athletes and national teams
