Imagine living in the Tudor times when a King decides on what you can or can’t play. So let’s go back a couple of years (or centuries). It is the time when King Henry VIII was in power and controlled everything even to the sport that people played. Below is part of an article I found while looking up the history of football. Now I know that perhaps the rules weren’t as strict as we have now days but still.
In Tudor England, sport was heavily controlled by the government. The ordinary citizen rarely had a chance to take part in sport as the government considered it more important that they were fit enough to work. Most of their waking hours involved work of some sort so time for sport was a rarity. In the early years of the reign of Henry VIII a law was passed in 1512 that banned the ordinary person from a whole range of games such as real tennis, as favoured by Henry VII, cards, dice, bowls and skittles. It was only at Christmas that rules were slightly relaxed in celebration of a religious holiday.
Football had been a popular sport for a number of years. It was very different in Tudor England when compared to the game today. There was no limit to the number of people on each side and the goalposts were set about one mile apart. The rules also allowed those playing to pick up and throw the ball as well as kick it into the opponent’s net. These games were rough and many young men were hurt while playing it. These casualties were invariably those who might be needed for the army – young, fit men. In 1540, also in the reign of Henry VIII, football was banned.
When reading this two facts stood out to me. Imagine living in a time where your favourite game is banned and you are no longer allowed to play it. How good is it that our students not only have to opportunity to play the game they love but also are encouraged to train/play it. Secondly, imagine playing a game that could possibly cost your life. They say the worlds game has some serious and passionate followers but this is huge. I guess if we all lived our lives with as much passion as these people did (not costing our lives obviously) how much would we achieve.
Interesting information. You are right when you say that the kids are so lucky to play the game they love. But don’t forget, some people still lose their lives in the game. The Central Americans take their football VERY seriously. Remind the kids not to play over there. (ha ha)