Sport and preparing troops for war

A greater game?

The notion that war was a sporting contest writ large was commonly expressed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when thousands of men enlisted to 'play the greater game'.

However, after experiencing the bitter realities of industrial warfare during the First World War (1914-18), this analogy between sport and war was replaced by an emphasis on the concrete advantages that sport could bring to the army.

School of manhood

These advantages included building physical fitness, boosting morale and encouraging unit cohesion. But sports like rugby, boxing and equestrianism have long been considered 'schools of true manhood and leadership'.

Equestrian sports

British cavalrymen have always used equestrian sports to bolster their formal training. Tent-pegging, for example, improved both riding and combat skills. This sport took on a variety of forms, but usually involved a galloping horse and rider using a sword or lance to strike and pick up a target from the ground.

As with most other Army sports, it was used to encourage both comradeship and rivalry with other units, while preparing cavalrymen for war. Tent-pegging is still practised by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment of the modern-day British Army to demonstrate skilled horsemanship.

Racing

Throughout its history, the British Army has also organised race meetings. These have helped develop soldiers' horsemanship and allowed them to compete, as well as providing entertainment for the military and public.

Today, the annual Grand Military Race Meeting is open to servicemen and women. It has been held since 1841 and for over 130 years has taken place at Sandown Park racecourse.

Polo

British and Indian soldiers have long loved the game of polo, said to be the oldest team sport in the world. However, it was not until the middle of the 19th century that Captain John Watson of the 13th Hussars created the first set of written rules.

Polo was played by all British and Indian Army cavalry regiments as it helped develop soldierly qualities such as leadership, horsemanship, initiative, endurance, esprit de corps, teamwork and independence. Polo matches were also great social occasions, especially during the British Raj.

Today, military teams still participate in an inter-regimental tournament at the Guards Polo Club at Windsor.

Tug-of-war

The British Army favoured the tug-of war as an ideal way of building up physical strength while simultaneously fostering co-operation and teamwork.

One of the finest Army teams during the 1950s was the Royal Army Ordnance Corps' (RAOC) detachment at Feltham in Middlesex. It won the 100 Stone title three years in a row from 1952 and the Catchweight title for four successive years between 1952 and 1955.

Boxing

Since ancient times, boxing has been considered excellent training for soldiers. The British Army has long believed it develops fitness, character, strength, persistence and courage. Today, the Army Boxing Association, working closely with the Amateur Boxing Association of England, makes sure the sport is regulated and its participants are safe.

Another form of boxing, known as 'milling', is used to train recruits in The Parachute Regiment. Participants wear gloves and head guards, as with regular amateur boxing, but they are not allowed to block or avoid incoming punches.