Readings this week focus on the influential impact sports played on the shaping of Canadian society in the early 20th century. Through many controversies, sport always seems to have been persistent in being involved with Canadian culture. Canadians relied on sport to create a national identity, and to raise young men with ideals that supported this identity. By looking at the controversy that boxing, cycling, and hockey all created and the rallying around these sports, we can see just how important sport was to shaping Canadian identity.
Boxing in the late 19th century was both praised and criticized within Canadian society. In Wamsley and Whitson’s article The Death of Luther McCarty the resounding support for boxing in Canada was exemplified. For its supporters the sport provided structure, and a representation of manhood that aligned with Canadian patriotism. Others argued that it promoted a level of violence that was not acceptable in social realm outside of sport[1]. Prize fighting in Canada was banned but a lack of action on legislation by local governments, allowed the sport to continue unofficially. The debate surrounding boxing reached an all time high in Calgary after McCarty was killed in a boxing match by his opponent Pelkey[2]. Many important men of Calgary supported the claim that boxing was not an overly aggressive sport, and that the death of McCarty was simply a freak accident[3]. These men recognized that if Pelkey was convicted of murder, the sport of boxing that they loved would likely be abolished. The effort that was established during this trial exemplifies the ties that boxing had to patriotism for many Canadians. Boxing was seen as a sport that would shape a strong generation of young Canadian men, it was an image that influential people of Calgary saw as desirable for the Canadian image.
Another example of influential men lobbying for sport, is in the case of the bicycle club in London, Ontario. An article written by Kossuth and Wamsley titled Cycles of Manhood, provides insight to the controversy that cycling created in London, which was also seen in many other cities across the nation. Cycling was a sport reserved for privileged individuals that could afford bicycles which were at the time very expensive[4]. Cycling for its participants was an opportunity to showcase their wealth, and athletic ability. Much like boxing, cycling encompassed many traits were desired to be part of the Canadian national identity.
Funding for sports facilities in Vancouver was not a priority of the government so in order to fulfil the demand for hockey arena’s upper class sportsmen provided the capital[5]. Not only hockey, but golf clubs, and yacht clubs were also privately developed[6]. From these private developments we can see another example of upper class Canadians, wishing to further develop their values through sport. Class division was a significant aspect of these clubs, and they worked towards establishing a prominent Canadian image.
This desirable Canadian image was based upon strength, patriotism, and strong moral character. For influential men in Canadian society that wished to have this image continued on through the next generation put emphasis on these sports.
