Christianity and sport: A promising combination

URI
Citation
Sung, D. T. H., & Aplin, N. (2010). Christianity and sport: A promising combination. In M. Chia, J. Wang, G. Balasekaran, & N. Chatzisarantis (Eds.), Proceedings of the III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science (pp 194-199). National Institute of Education (Singapore).
Author
Sung, D. T. H.
•
Aplin, Nick
Abstract
The relationship between Christianity and sport has been a continuing theme in human endeavour particularly during the last 150 years. This paper examines concepts associated with the role of Christian ideals and the evolution of modern sports. Early ideas of Muscular Christianity provide a backdrop for an examination of contemporary issues relating to the significance of Christianity with current sporting practices. Modern sport has moved beyond the traditional notions of Muscular Christianity espoused passionately by Thomas Arnold at Rugby School and later by G.E.L Cotton at Marlborough College during the middle of the 19th century to a more globalised form of games and sports ethics, whereby Christianity is being integrated more openly as a new dimension. The purpose of this study is to examine and measure the influence of Christianity on the sports culture and to understand its impact on the current professional and commercial era. lnterviews with sportsmen and coaches highlight contemporary insights in the Singapore context.
Date Issued
2010
Description
This paper was published in the Proceedings of the III International Conference of Physical Education and Sports Science, held in Singapore from 25 – 28 May 2010