110 likes | 381 Views
History of Sport in Canada. EARLY CANADA ( 1600-1850 ). Games were very important to early native cultures. Focused around: ceremonial / religious practices which aided in the transmission of cultural values to the young teaching of survival skills.
E N D
EARLY CANADA (1600-1850) • Games were very important to early native cultures. • Focused around: • ceremonial / religious practices which aided in the transmission of cultural values to the young • teaching of survival skills. • one IMPORTANT exception: BAGGATAWAY, now known as lacrosse
1763, British military officers brought: • - cricket, • - horse racing, • - fox hunting & • - snow shoeing • Farmers by contrast did not have time or resources to enjoy the sports.
Victorian Period (1850-1920) • By the end of World War I • Industrialization with urbanization occurred & brought with it • - railway, • - telegraph, • - mass press and • - a whole new concept of free time: • ½ Holidays on Saturday and recognition of the Sabbath.
Main focus of early Canadian sports was social in nature. No leagues, few common rules. • 1860: 24 clubs in 4 sports (snowshoeing, curling, lacrosse and cricket) • 1890-1920: marked by increased promotion of both participatory and spectator sports.
EMERGENCE OF SPORT AS A COMMODITY (1920-1960) • WW II helped to end poverty and unemployment of the Great Depression. • A boost in the economy, a population boom and more interest in recreation. • T.V. came in the 50's and transformed the coverage of sport. • Sport became part of our national identity. • Foundation of National Hockey League in 1917.
SPORT AND THE CANADIAN STATE (1960-PRESENT) • John Diefenbaker, PM in 1957 - stated that athletic achievement in Canada could give a boost to national pride. • Piggybacked on Cold War philosophy of US v USSR. • Resulted in Bill C-131: The Fitness and Amateur Sport Act • Government funding was $29,641, today over $200 million • National Pride: Olympics, World Cup, World Series, Stanley Cup……..