Sports in Britain

Football is my favourite sport - what's yours?
Did You Know? ... Britain has over 100 sportsmen and women who hold world championship titles.

British Sports - Introduction

Britain has a rich sports history. In fact, many of the world's most popular sports began in Britain. The earliest rules of cricket were written in 1727. Scotland is the home of golf. And the first unified rules for football were drawn up in Britain in 1846. The British are often credited with introducing the modern game of football to the rest of the world, through the travels of sailors, soldiers, merchants, engineers, teachers and other professional people. There are 42,000 football clubs throughout Britain. And as for rugby ... while playing football at Rugby School of England in 1823, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball in his hands and ran with it. This sparked an interest, leading to the creation of rugby. Cambridge University immediately adopted the game, popularized it and made local rules. The game grew popular at area schools and in 1871, the first Rugby Union was founded in London and firm rules of the game were established.

About 29 million people over the age of 16 in the United Kingdom regularly take part in sport or exercise. Walking is the most popular physical activity. Football is the largest spectator sport with the Football Association's Cup Final the highlight of the season. The four nations that make up the UK usually enter separate teams in international sports competitions.

Major British sporting events include the Football Association Cup Final, the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the Open Golf championship and the Grand National (a world-famous horserace over fences). Cricket and Rugby also have strong followings in Britain - the Six Nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland, France and Italy) rugby union tournament, and of course who can forget England's World Champions success in winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

Britain has over 100 sportsmen and women who hold world championship titles.