The Cultural Significance of Sports
INTRODUCTION TO THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SPORTS
A country’s culture includes the values, beliefs, traditions, customs, knowledge, and so much more which gives them their identity. One important aspect of culture that I believe is ignored, is the presence of sports. Throughout history, sports have played a major role in developing a country’s identity, whether it is through certain sports that have existed in your own culture, or cheering your team in the Olympics or the World Cup. Right for Education states, “Sports can bring people together and give people a sense of identity”, and “Certain sports are closely linked to particular communities and reflect the characteristics and traditions of people included”. I think it is important to recognize sports in culture is less about the sports themselves, but more about what you learn about your community and yourself.
“Sports can bring people together and give people a sense of identity” (Butt)
SO WHAT IS CULTURE IN A COUNTRY?
There are many different definitions as to what specifically culture looks like within a country. A country’s culture can be, “The way of life for an entire society” (Boston), but it is also important to recognize the generation to generation aspects of culture. These customs and traditions that are passed down don’t come from nowhere, it takes years to develop customs and traditions, and they may change along the way. Your culture is how you want to be represented in the world. I believe what separates a country and its culture are the things they value. Some countries value religion, family, rituals, while others value independence and freedom. There is no set amount of time something has to happen before it becomes a cultural tradition, it just reflects how prominent something they value is to that group of people. A person’s culture gives them a sense of belonging and identity. Every person is different, but culture has a unique way of bringing people together because where you are from is a big part of who you are.
A country’s culture can be, “The way of life for an entire society” (Boston)
THE RICH HISTORY OF SPORTS
It is hard to say exactly when sports were invented, but it can date all the way back to hunting and gathering. “Ball games’’ can also be traced back to the ancient Chinese or the Aztecs, which brought the idea of sports for competition and fun, rather than survival. Ancient Greece is noted for bringing sport and ritual together. This is where, “sports had a cultural significance unequaled anywhere else before the rise of modern sports” (Maguire). This is where more “formal” sports were introduced to the world, not only as a way to survive, but sports were used for competition and challenge. The Ancient Greeks were the ones who brought the Olympics to our world, and began to adapt sports into what they are today.
“From Greece, Sports had a cultural significance unequaled anywhere else before the rise of modern sports” (Maguire).
In the 16th Century to the 18th Century, sports began to shift. In South East England, Cricket started to become wildly popular. Cricket introduced the world to sports that used equipment such as sticks, bats, and balls, which we continued to adapt into new sports. Cricket introduced the ideas of “county teams” (ICC). ‘County teams’ provided a space where each community had their own team to cheer for, bringing them together. This idea has translated into a global idea, with the idea of cheering for your town, state, or even country. As the British began their imperialism around the world, they brought their sport of cricket wherever they went. This is why in places such as India and Pakistan, cricket is so popular because it became an aspect of their culture over time.
Another sport that defines a culture is baseball. Originating in the 1800’s, baseball grew in the United States, and around North America. Baseball not only brought people together through the enjoyment of the game, it has made a big impact on integration in sports as well, and all of society. The cultural significance Jackie Robinson had on baseball and integrating sports, will forever be a monumental impact on our society and culture.
There are hundreds of sports with hundreds of different histories. Many sports start in one country, then adapt and change as they enter other countries. Sports come from all different countries depending on their environment or their resources. Some sports, like hockey or ice skating originated in colder climates, while sports like surfing needed warm temperatures.
WHAT I’VE NOTICED FROM EXPERIENCE
Growing up in the United States, sports have made a huge impact on my life. Both playing sports and watching them, has influenced the person I am today. I think for most people in the United States, playing or watching sports has also made an impact on them. Whether it’s football on Sundays, or getting ready for your high school’s championship game, sports have always had a way of bringing people together. For myself, playing sports influenced my entire life, because I had to consistently plan my days around it. It determined when I traveled, who I hung out with, and what I prioritized. I have so much to thank sports for, and how much it influenced my life, I’m glad it was such a big part of my upbringing and culture.
Outside of the United States, I have been to seven countries. Many of the countries I have visited have been very different, whether it be Europe, South America, or the Caribbean, each country has had their own unique culture. I have noticed a large impact of certain sports, whether the sport is the same or different in the country they are played in. I will say, one sport I have seen be very prominent in almost every country I have been to, is soccer. The first big trip I went on was a soccer trip to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which really highlighted the impact of that sport in that country. It seemed like their entire city revolved around watching and playing soccer. You would see kids everywhere playing soccer in the streets, or watching soccer on the television in all the restaurants. I have never been somewhere louder than a professional “football” game in Amsterdam, but it was incredible to watch the impact the sport had on these communities and how much it brought people together. Soccer in a professional setting was very big in the Netherlands, but it looked a little different in Ecuador. In Ecuador you could still see the cultural impact soccer had on the country, but it was in a leisurely way. We would walk by patches of grass and see little kids running around playing soccer. They would not have lots of equipment or other resources, but they were just playing for fun. It was fun to see soccer played this way, and not only to win. The impact of soccer is prominent in most countries, so it was inspiring to see how it impacts specific countries independently.
When I went to Ireland a couple summers ago, I saw the impact of soccer, because it is important in almost all European countries, however for the first time, I saw rugby, and what impact that had on culture. Growing up, I had always heard of Rugby, but had never seen it played. Coming to Nazareth, I learned more about the sport, but still never really watched it. In Ireland, almost anytime I passed a field, rugby was being played. It was interesting to see a sport like rugby that I was not familiar with watching in the United States. The other sport I witnessed being played in Ireland was golf. Golf is also big in the United States, but seeing how the golf courses impact landscapes in the country of Ireland was amazing. Almost every man I talked to in Ireland, was making weekend golf plans with his friends, which shows how impactful it is to their culture and day to day life.
Every country is so different with their culture, and what they prioritize. I have only been to a few other countries, but it is still unique to see how sports are the same and different among different places. No matter where you are, there is a rich history to sports, and how they have influenced cultures. This is one of the first things I notice when I go to a new place. I like to know what sports are most popular, and how people interact while playing or watching them. I hope to go to many new places, and with each new place, I look forward to learning new things about the culture, and what sports mean in the new places I explore.
THE MOST IMPACTFUL SPORTS IN HISTORY
I have touched on the topic about the impact of sports a little bit already, however we don’t know exactly which sports are the most influential and popular sports in the world and why. According to World Atlas, the most watched sport is soccer, with over 3.5 billion fans, followed by cricket, hockey, tennis, and volleyball. Every country is unique, and you can tell by what the most watched sports are. In the United States, cricket is rarely ever mentioned, but it is still one of the most popular sports in the world. I think it is so interesting that different countries prioritize different sports, and you won’t really understand what each culture adds to a country unless you go there. Each place has different resources or environments that impact what sports can be watched or played there, which is why it varies country to country.
The most watched sports are not the same as the most played sports, although there is some overlap. A big reason why certain sports are played in some places compared to others is the ability to access resources. Equipment is expensive, along with trying to find field space, or wherever you need to play. This is why the most popular sports to play are soccer/football, badminton, field hockey, volleyball, and basketball. Although not all of these sports are easily accessible, a lot of them are more affordable than others. The most played sports are usually those that are most prominent in that country. The more you are surrounded by that sport, the more likely you are to play or watch it, because you have been surrounded by it your whole life. Soccer, the most played and watched sport, has earned its spot for a reason. Soccer, or more commonly known as football in many regions of the world, has been around for thousands of years, and it is a part of almost every culture. The biggest reason soccer’s popularity is how easy it is to find a way to play the sport. All you need is a patch of grass, a ball, and some friends. You don’t need any equipment, and you can make nets out of almost anything you can find. It is accessibility like this that makes soccer so fun to play, and that makes people want to watch. I know for myself, growing up playing soccer made it so fun to watch, and to follow certain players.
One sport that is less prominent around the world, but extremely important to our culture in the United States, is American football. Football adapted to what it is today from aspects of rugby and other sports. It is hard to understand why the sport has such a grip on our culture, but shapes so much how the rest of the world sees us. During the season, football dominates America’s Sundays because of how much the day revolves around the sport. The Super Bowl this year had 113 million viewers, which shows how many people in the U.S. watch it, which is over one third of our population. Football not only brings our country together, it also brings cities and teams together. Having a team to root for gives you a sense of belonging in your community, and has a way to bring people together like no other American sport. Every country has their own sport that brings this kind of identity to them, in the United States, it just happens to be football.
SPORTS OF OUR YOUTH
Culture is something we are exposed to throughout our entire life starting at the very beginning. At a young age, we are able to start playing sports and influence us in many ways. Youth sports are extremely important because it is a way to bring kids together, and teaches them skills like teamwork and hard work. As I’ve mentioned, I would not be the person I am today without sports. Youth sports also benefit communities. Sports keep children active, and recreational sports provide a way for the community to participate in activities. Sports provide access to the resources in a community. Children who play sports at a young age, are more likely to continue to play sports and stay healthy. When we learn sports at a young age, we tend to stay involved with them, and they become a part of our daily life, becoming an important part of culture.
COMPETITIVE SPORTS AND OUR WORLD
Competitive Sports around the world, may be the most impactful part of how a culture can relate to sports. Most countries have a certain number of professional sports that compete within the country, or around the world. These are for athletes who excel in their sports, and want to make it their career or represent their country. Competitive sports are good for countries because it is part of your identity. When your team is playing in the World Cup, or participating in the Olympics, you automatically become a part of that team. Even if it is a sport you don’t typically watch or participate in, you still want them to succeed because you feel like they are a part of your identity. The Olympics are a very special event because they have such a long history, and because they only happen every few years. I think they have a way of bringing people together like no other sporting event. It has such a wide variety of sports, so anyone can watch, and there are competitors from so many countries. Events like these are shown around the world, and people are able to come together to support their own country. The World Cup is another event where you can see the impact across the world. I know this past year, I have never seen so many people passionate about soccer until the U.S. made it to the tournament for the first time in years.
THE GLOBALIZATION OF SPORTS
Every continent is responsible for bringing their own sports to the world, but over the years sports spread and adapt from one country to the next, allowing them to globalize. Soccer has remarkably become a part of every nation in the world and can only continue to spread and grow. Many people in remote areas are able to chase their dreams and play professional sports. This is clear in the United States with associations like the MLB and NBA where international players are more prominent than they have ever been. The role of technology has also made sports globalize faster than ever, because more people have access to learn and play sports they were not as familiar with. I also think what American football is doing with playing games in Europe is also a way to globalize and spread the sport because it is not really played in any other countries. I think as technology continues to advance, sports will continue to globalize and spread as well.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sports and traveling have been two of the most impactful things in my life. I would not be anywhere without either of them. I think the idea of sports and culture go hand in hand, and will continue to grow throughout our lifetime. Every country carries their own unique history that has adapted into their own unique culture, and sports have always been a part of that. I believe the world needs sports, and sports have contributed so much to enriching our cultures today. I hope kids continue to play sports, even as technology advances. It is not only about sports themselves, but it is so much more about what they do for us and our community.
Citations:
Butt, F. (2022, August 9). Why are sports so important to our culture? Right for Education. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://rightforeducation.org/2019/04/02/sports-so-important-to-our-culture/
Boston University. (2016). What is Culture? What is culture? Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/PH/CulturalAwareness/CulturalAwareness2.html
Maguire, J. A., Rowe, D. C., Guttmann, A., & Luebering, J. E. (2023, April 26). Sports. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports
Pledge Sports. (2023, January 13). Top 10 most played sports around the world in 2022. Pledge Sports. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.pledgesports.org/2017/06/top-10-most-played-sports/
Veroutsos, E. (2022, October 20). The most popular sports in the world. WorldAtlas. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-world.html
