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.• 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……..