Universities, codification and the spread of games

Overview

Oxford and Cambridge as a melting pot, the Cambridge Rules of 1848, codification and rationalisation, old boys and the Church spreading games, the national governing bodies and the spread of games worldwide.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

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1. 1

   Why were Oxford and Cambridge called a melting pot for sport?

   Model answer

   Old boys from different public schools met at the universities. Each school had its own rules, so common rules had to be agreed.

2. 2

   What were the Cambridge Rules of 1848?

   Model answer

   The Cambridge Rules were an early attempt to agree a single code of football. Players from different schools needed common rules to play together.

3. 3

   What is meant by the codification of sport?

   Model answer

   Codification is writing down an agreed set of rules for a sport. Written codes allowed teams from different places to compete fairly.

4. 4

   What is meant by the rationalisation of sport?

   Model answer

   Rationalisation is making sport organised, regular and regulated. Rational sport has set times, places, numbers and officials.

5. 5

   How did university sport raise standards?

   Model answer

   Universities offered time, facilities and high-level competition. The Boat Race and Varsity matches became major national events.

6. 6

   How did old boys spread games through British society?

   Model answer

   Old boys became teachers, clergy, army officers and factory owners. Each took organised games into schools, parishes and workplaces.

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