Sports are a massive part of people’s lives, whether they watch or play them. Besides being entertaining, they also play a vital role in countries’ national identity. If you’ve ever wondered how these games started, you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of myths and legends about how these games were invented.
- Lacrosse
The game of lacrosse, considered North America’s oldest team sport, originated from the Eastern Woodlands and other Plains Indian tribes. It was played to keep the warriors fit and healthy. Unlike modern-day games, the rules of this game were more relaxed. It was also important to the tribes’ social conformity and diplomatic relations.
During the 1840s, Europeans started to play the game. The first recorded match between a European and a Mohawk tribe was held in August 1844. In 1856, a club was also established in Montreal, Canada. The sport’s popularity continued growing when Prince Charles visited Montreal in 1860. After the Prince’s visit, William George Beers, a dentist, came up with the first set of official rules for the game. Due to the sport’s popularity, two professional leagues were established in North America.
- Golf
It’s widely debated how golf started, with the Scots taking most of the credit. The game’s modern foundation can be traced back to the 15th century when the rules were first established in Scotland. These rules involved using the fewest amount of strokes possible. There’s also proof that the game’s roots can be traced back to a small town in the Netherlands. In 1297, the residents of Loenen aan de Vecht held a game known as “colf.” This was an annual tradition that started on Boxing Day. The competition involved two teams of four players who hit a wooden ball with a stick toward a series of targets.
Other games similar to golf were also played in the Netherlands during the centuries before the first published book about the sport was written in 1636, though this is still highly debated.
- Ice Hockey
In 2014, a book claimed that hockey was invented in England, though it’s unclear who created it. There have been various references to the game in the past, starting from the 1790s. It’s believed that the sport was popular in the country for a long time, with notable individuals such as Charles Darwin and King Edward VII playing it.
The game’s origin is believed to be traced back to the early games, where a cork was used as a goal. During this period, a cork was commonly used as a safety deposit in beer barrels. The first organized game was held in Montreal on March 3, 1875. Around 40 people attended it. Before that, games were usually played casually. The first organized game was born in Montreal.
- Rugby
It’s believed that rugby was invented in 1876 when a 16-year-old named William Webb Ellis was at a school in Warwickshire, England. He was playing soccer and picked up the ball. Unfortunately, this story can’t be accurate due to Ellis’ death in 1872, four years before he was officially credited with inventing the game. The real story is that the game was introduced to the school by headmaster Thomas Arnold.
It’s believed that the game started from soccer, though it’s unclear who was the first to pick up the ball and run with it. After learning the game, many boys wanted to continue playing as adults. This was the reason why the first inter-country games were organized. Eventually, the International Football Board was formed in 1884.