The role and place of sport in the history and national unity of Great Britain

The history of sport probably extends as far back as the existence of people as purposive beings. Sport has always been a useful way for people to increase their mastery of nature and the environment. The history of sport can teach us about social changes and about the nature of sport itself. Sport seems to involve basic human skills being developed and exercised for their own sake in parallel with being exercised for their usefulness. It also shows how society has changed its beliefs and therefore there are changes in the rules.