2. The United Kingdom has given birth to a range ofThe United Kingdom has given birth to a range of
major international sports including:major international sports including:
associationassociation footballfootball
rugbyrugby ( (unionunion and and leagueleague))
cricketcricket
golfgolf
tennistennis
badmintonbadminton
squashsquash
roundersrounders
hockeyhockey
boxingboxing
snookersnooker
billiardsbilliards
4. The national sport of England is cricket, but England has noThe national sport of England is cricket, but England has no
team of its own, instead fielding a joint team with Walesteam of its own, instead fielding a joint team with Wales..
Each summer two foreign national teams visit and play sevenEach summer two foreign national teams visit and play seven
test matches and numerous one-day internationals, and in thetest matches and numerous one-day internationals, and in the
British winter the team tours abroad.British winter the team tours abroad.
The highest profile rival of the team is the The highest profile rival of the team is the AustralianAustralian teamteam, with, with
which it competes for which it competes for TheThe AshesAshes, one of the most famous, one of the most famous
trophies in British sport.trophies in British sport.
There are eighteen professional There are eighteen professional countycounty clubsclubs, seventeen of, seventeen of
them in England and one in Wales. Each summer the countythem in England and one in Wales. Each summer the county
clubs compete in the clubs compete in the firstfirst classclass CountyCounty ChampionshipChampionship, which, which
consists of two leagues of nine teams and in which matches areconsists of two leagues of nine teams and in which matches are
played over four days. The same teams also play the played over four days. The same teams also play the oneone dayday
NationalNational LeagueLeague, a one day knock out competition called the , a one day knock out competition called the
FriendsFriends ProvidentProvident TrophyTrophy, and the short-form , and the short-form Twenty20Twenty20 CupCup..
ScotlandScotland and and IrelandIreland both have their own cricket teams, but the both have their own cricket teams, but the
game is neither as popular nor their teams as successful as thegame is neither as popular nor their teams as successful as the
English & Welsh team.English & Welsh team.
6. Football is undoubtedly the most popular sportFootball is undoubtedly the most popular sport
in England, and has been played for hundredsin England, and has been played for hundreds
of years.of years.
In the English Football League there are 92In the English Football League there are 92
professional clubs. These are semi-professional clubs. These are semi-
professional, so most players have other full-professional, so most players have other full-
time jobs. Hundreds of thousands of peopletime jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people
also play football in parks and playgrounds justalso play football in parks and playgrounds just
for fun.for fun.
The highlight of the English football year is theThe highlight of the English football year is the
FA (Football Association) Cup Final each May.FA (Football Association) Cup Final each May.
The first set of laws of the game of football, orThe first set of laws of the game of football, or
soccer as it is known in the US, date from thesoccer as it is known in the US, date from the
formation of The Football Association information of The Football Association in
England in 1863.
8. Rugby originated from Rugby school inRugby originated from Rugby school in
Warwickshire. Warwickshire.
It is similar to football, but played with an oval ball.It is similar to football, but played with an oval ball.
Players can carry the ball and tackle each other. ThePlayers can carry the ball and tackle each other. The
best rugby teams compete in the Super League finalbest rugby teams compete in the Super League final
each September.each September.
For many years Rugby was only played by the richFor many years Rugby was only played by the rich
upper classes, but now it is popular all over theupper classes, but now it is popular all over the
country. There are two different types of rugby -country. There are two different types of rugby -
Rugby League, played mainly in the north of England,Rugby League, played mainly in the north of England,
and Rugby Union, played in the rest of England,and Rugby Union, played in the rest of England,
Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England, Scotland,Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England, Scotland,
Wales and Ireland, together with France and Italy, playWales and Ireland, together with France and Italy, play
in an annual tournament called the Six Nations.in an annual tournament called the Six Nations.
American Football derived fromAmerican Football derived from thethe game of Rugbygame of Rugby
also Baseball derived from the old English game ofalso Baseball derived from the old English game of
Rounders.Rounders.
10. The world's most famous tennisThe world's most famous tennis
tournament is Wimbledon. tournament is Wimbledon.
It started at a small club in south London in theIt started at a small club in south London in the
nineteenth century. It begins on the nearestnineteenth century. It begins on the nearest
Monday to June 22, at a time when EnglishMonday to June 22, at a time when English
often have the finest weather. Millions of peopleoften have the finest weather. Millions of people
watch the Championships on TV live.watch the Championships on TV live.
It is traditional for visitors to eat strawberriesIt is traditional for visitors to eat strawberries
and cream whilst they watch the tennis.and cream whilst they watch the tennis.
Wimbledon is the oldest of all the major tennisWimbledon is the oldest of all the major tennis
tournaments beginning in 1877. The rewards oftournaments beginning in 1877. The rewards of
prize money began in 1968 when the totalprize money began in 1968 when the total
purse allocated was £26,150 (about $40,000).purse allocated was £26,150 (about $40,000).
12. It isIt is a a ballball sportsport played by two teams of seven players. Its played by two teams of seven players. Its
development, derived from early versions of development, derived from early versions of basketballbasketball, began, began
in England in the 1890s. By 1960, international playing rulesin England in the 1890s. By 1960, international playing rules
had been standardised for the game, and the Internationalhad been standardised for the game, and the International
Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball was formed.Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball was formed.
As of 2011, the INF comprises more than 60 As of 2011, the INF comprises more than 60 nationalnational teamsteams
organized into five global regions.organized into five global regions.
Games are played on a rectangular Games are played on a rectangular courtcourt with raised goal rings with raised goal rings
at each end. Each team attempts to score goals by passing aat each end. Each team attempts to score goals by passing a
ball down the court and shooting it through its goal ring. Playersball down the court and shooting it through its goal ring. Players
are assigned specific positions, which define their roles withinare assigned specific positions, which define their roles within
the team and restrict their movement to certain areas of thethe team and restrict their movement to certain areas of the
court. During general play, a player with the ball can hold onto itcourt. During general play, a player with the ball can hold onto it
for only three seconds before shooting for a goal or passing tofor only three seconds before shooting for a goal or passing to
another player. The winning team is the one that scores theanother player. The winning team is the one that scores the
most goals. Netball games are 60 minutes long. Variations havemost goals. Netball games are 60 minutes long. Variations have
been developed to increase the game's pace and appeal to abeen developed to increase the game's pace and appeal to a
wider audience.wider audience.
Netball is the largest female team sport inNetball is the largest female team sport in
England. England. The sport is played almost exclusively by womenThe sport is played almost exclusively by women
and girls, although male participation has increased in recentand girls, although male participation has increased in recent
years.years.
14. Modern competitive Modern competitive golfgolf originated in Scotland. originated in Scotland.
Golf is the sixth most popular sport, by participation, inGolf is the sixth most popular sport, by participation, in
the United Kingdom.the United Kingdom.
TheThe OpenOpen ChampionshipChampionship, which is played each July, which is played each July
on a number of British golf courses on a rotating basis,on a number of British golf courses on a rotating basis,
the majority of them in Scotland, is the onlythe majority of them in Scotland, is the only
men's major golf tournament which is played outsidemen's major golf tournament which is played outside
of the United States.of the United States.
The most famous of these courses is St Andrews,The most famous of these courses is St Andrews,
which is known as "The Home of Golf".which is known as "The Home of Golf".
Women's golf does not have as high a profile as theWomen's golf does not have as high a profile as the
men's game, but British players, most notably Lauramen's game, but British players, most notably Laura
Davies, have found success on both the Europe-Davies, have found success on both the Europe-
wide Ladies European Tour and the overwhelminglywide Ladies European Tour and the overwhelmingly
dominant women's tour, the LPGA Tour in the U.S.dominant women's tour, the LPGA Tour in the U.S.
16. Horseracing, the sport of Kings is a veryHorseracing, the sport of Kings is a very
popular sport popular sport with meetings being held every daywith meetings being held every day
throughout the year. The Derby originated here, as didthroughout the year. The Derby originated here, as did
The Grand National which is the hardest horse race inThe Grand National which is the hardest horse race in
the world.the world.
Horse racing and greyhound racing are popularHorse racing and greyhound racing are popular
spectator sports. People can place bets on the racesspectator sports. People can place bets on the races
at legal off-track betting shops. Some of the best-at legal off-track betting shops. Some of the best-
known horse races are held at Ascot, Newmarket,known horse races are held at Ascot, Newmarket,
Goodwood and Epsom.Goodwood and Epsom.
Ascot, a small town in the south of England, becomesAscot, a small town in the south of England, becomes
the centre of horse-racing world for one week in June.the centre of horse-racing world for one week in June.
It's called Royal Ascot because the Queen alwaysIt's called Royal Ascot because the Queen always
goes to Ascot. She has a lot of racehorses and likes togoes to Ascot. She has a lot of racehorses and likes to
watch racing.watch racing.
17. Also the traditional British sports are:Also the traditional British sports are:
PoloPolo
Table Tennis (ping pong)Table Tennis (ping pong)
BadmintonBadminton
Fishing (Angling)Fishing (Angling)
SwimmingSwimming
DartsDarts
19. Traditionally Boxing Day is a day for foxTraditionally Boxing Day is a day for fox
hunting. The huntsmen and huntswomen ridehunting. The huntsmen and huntswomen ride
horses. They use dogs too. The dogs (foxhorses. They use dogs too. The dogs (fox
hounds) follow the smell of the fox. Then thehounds) follow the smell of the fox. Then the
huntsmen and huntswomen follow the hounds.huntsmen and huntswomen follow the hounds.
Before a Boxing Day hunt, the huntsmen andBefore a Boxing Day hunt, the huntsmen and
huntswomen drink hot wine. But the tradition ofhuntswomen drink hot wine. But the tradition of
the December 26th is changing. Now, somethe December 26th is changing. Now, some
people want to stop Boxing Day hunts (andpeople want to stop Boxing Day hunts (and
other hunts too) They don't like fox hunting. Forother hunts too) They don't like fox hunting. For
them it is not a sport - it is cruel.them it is not a sport - it is cruel.
20. QuizQuiz
1.Which of these sports is the most popular in1.Which of these sports is the most popular in
BritainBritain??
CricketCricket
FootballFootball
GolfGolf
2.What is the name given to fishing when it is2.What is the name given to fishing when it is
done competitivelydone competitively??
AnglingAngling
BaitingBaiting
ReelingReeling
21. 3.If a British person think that something is unfair or3.If a British person think that something is unfair or
unjust, what might they sayunjust, what might they say??
““It’s not cricket”It’s not cricket”
““It’s not football”It’s not football”
““It’s not sporting”It’s not sporting”
4.Which two national teams often complete for “the4.Which two national teams often complete for “the
Ashes”Ashes”??
England and AustraliaEngland and Australia
England and ScotlandEngland and Scotland
England and USAEngland and USA
5.In England, which of these sports was traditionally5.In England, which of these sports was traditionally
confined to the middle classconfined to the middle class??
CricketCricket
Rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby unionRugby union
