Sport Mr P Leighton St Marys 11 18

Sport Mr. P. Leighton St Mary’s 11 -18 College Socio-Cultural Issues

Today’s Session… What is Sport? What makes a sport? What is the difference between SPORTSMANSHIP and GAMESMANSHIP?

Look at these two quotes… “Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy boastfulness, disregard for rules and a sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence, in other words it is war without the shooting” George Orwell, 1949 “Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, to unite people in a way that little else can. It speaks to people in a language they understand. Sport can create hope when there was only despair. It is an instrument of peace, more powerful than governments, it breaks down all kinds of barrier. It laughs in the face of discrimination” Nelson Mandela 1993 Which one of these do you think is more similar to your opinion of sport?

So what is Sport? Look at the following picture and note down as many characteristics of sport you can see… REMEMBER… When we are talking about Sport- it is ELITE LEVEL SPORT or HIGH LEVEL SPORT.

Did you See? Competitive Activities? Organised events? Skillful players/ participants? Committed and fair performers? Specialist Kit? Sponsorship? Professional performers?

WHO? The skilful & committed WHEN? Designated time + Fixed time limit WHERE? Designated place + fixed boundaries. SPORT WHY? For intrinsic (pleasure) & extrinsic (money) rewards HOW? With sportsmanship, organisation, rules, commitment, aesthetic quality, sponsorship, media coverage

Sport then… Comes under certain criteria… the more criteria it fits- the more likely it is an ACTUAL sport… So what are these criteria?

Tradition- do we traditionally call the activity a sport in OUR COUNTRY? Vigorous Physical Exertion- does the activity require strenuous movement? Competition- does the activity involve competition against oneself or others? Administration- does the activity have a governing body or follow its rules? Behaviour- does the performer show commitment, skill and fair play- is poor discipline reprimanded?

So what are some other key terms? Physical Prowess- or skillfulness, in other words expertise and proficiency. Physical Endeavour- effort or trying hard. Sportsmanship- fair play by observing rules, both written and unwritten. Being gracious in victory and defeat…

Sportsmanship Vs. Gamesmanship Sportsmanship is good- desirable. Gamesmanship is bad- it is the use of unconventional tactics that aren’t strictly illegal. i. e. Sledging in cricket. . .

Sledging…

So what can gamesmanship mean? An “Unfair” advantage? Psychological “ 1 up” on an opponent Bad feelings or friction A bad example to younger people producing negative role models Disruption to the continuity of the event.

Sporting Deviance… This is something completely different. It is when something is clearly outside the rules and is more than an accidental foul. These can be things like…

Deliberate dangerous fouls… Drug Abuse… Violence… Any other Cheating…

Review… What makes a sport? Are dance/darts/Snooker games/pastimes or sports? What are some of the other key terms associated with Sport? What is the difference between gamesmanship and sportsmanship?