ABSTRACT
One of the more lasting consequences of Britain’s nineteenth-century imperial and economic supremacy was following overseas for its sports. By 1914 association football was played extensively in continental Europe and Latin America. Lawn tennis had spread to much of Europe, the Empire and the United States.Modern forms of boxing, athletic races and racing were based on English models. Golf, originating in Scotland, was played in the rest of the English-speaking world. Cricket was largely restricted to the dominions and colonies as was rugby union, though this was also played to a high standard in France. Few ball sports popular before 1914 other than polo, billiards and snooker – and snooker was invented by a British army officer in India – were not invented in Britain.The ball games of other countries rarely spread beyond their boundaries. Before 1914 American football and baseball had little following outside North America. Yet by 1914 top English players were often experiencing defeat by overseas competitors in cricket, athletics, rugby and tennis, and the USA and Australia were becoming seen as leading sporting rivals.
