Sports

The UK sports industry has enjoyed a massive explosion in value and popularity over recent years. In 2007, it was estimated that the total value of the fitness industry alone was £3.7 billion, a healthy increase of 2.6 percent on the previous year.

British Sports - Historical Perspective

Dating back to Roman times, sports have always been an important part of society in Britain and inextricably linked, throughout the ages, with political stability and even the economy, not to mention personal status within society. During medieval times, however, sports did not feature highly in day to day life, predominately due to the more urgent need for basic survival. That said, sports and sporting activities did play a pleasurable, albeit minor role, in the society of the period, with various forms of sport being enjoyed on feast days and special occasions, involving whole communities. However, it wasn’t until Tudor times that sports and major sporting events became extremely important in British daily life; with the exception of a period of Puritanism, sports have been widely enjoyed throughout Britain.

Sporting activities waned somewhat in the Tudor, Stuart and Hanoverian periods as a result of extensive working hours and industrialisation. However, since the 1830s, sports and associated leisure pursuits have gone from strength to strength and grown in popularity. In earlier times, playing sport was a recognised way of brining together groups and encouraging moral behaviour. In the late 19th century, most people were given Saturday afternoons off work and sports gradually became widely available to the masses.

During the early part of the 20th century sport gradually became much more central to the lives of the British population and of greater importance across all classes. Importantly, sport became far more commercialised and a matter of national importance.

Throughout society, the health benefits of participating in sports and in physical activities also became increasingly apparent. In 1944, for example, the Government made it compulsory for schools to teach physical education to all children of school age.

British Sports & Big Business

Modern day sports are a vital part of society and a huge source of revenue in Britain today. As standards of living increase and disposable incomes becomes greater, so does the following of sports at all levels.

The influence and importance of sport in the 21st century can be clearly seen in the massive growth in the sport sponsorship market which exceeded £450 million for the first time in 2006 and continues to grow.

UK Fitness Issues

In recent years, there has been a shift away from sport purely for the purpose of recreation and, instead, more people are participating in sport for reasons of health and fitness. The current drive to reduce levels of obesity, for instance, is focusing on the benefits of exercise and sports participation. This increased awareness is evident in the continued growth in the availability of fitness amenities such as gyms and health clubs with state-of-the-art equipment, swimming pools and other sports facilities. In the year to 31 March 2008, the Fitness Industry Association produced a report stating that there are now 5,755 health clubs in the UK.

Sports – A British Passion

The subject of sport in Britain generates a great deal of passion, both from those who participate in sporting activities and those who support football and rugby teams, for example, as fans. Almost every person in the UK has at least some degree of affiliation with sport. Whether following the national football or rugby team or going fishing or golfing with a friend, sports infiltrate the lives of most British citizens. More and more people see sports as part of their essential daily spending; no longer are sports and recreation seen as a luxury, they are now a part of everyday living.