In a number of ways, professional sports have shaped the modern day leisure life as shown from above where people may go to clubs to watch football, attend Wimbledon events, secure tickets to watch rugby at the stadium, attend to golf championship tournaments, or watch cricket at the local pub, restaurant or hotel.
Professional sports have impacted upon the modern day leisure life in a variety of ways. Firstly, professional football has led to people visiting clubs and the local pubs to watch football along with other fans (Coakley, 2007). According to the Mintel database which provides data on the consumer market in the UK and the leisure trends, most people choose to go to the pubs to watch football activities on weekends. Many of the British people love sports and visiting the pubs to watch football is an important part of their life. Sports have therefore transformed pubs to become social institutions which cater for diverse ethnic groups who meet to share the same interest. The pub has thus become Britain’s most envied and imperfectly imitated institution as sports lovers gather on neutral grounds and enjoy their leisure time watching football. Most of the football fans would visit clubs and pubs to watch popular matches such as a match between West Ham United vs Manchester United.
ABSTRACT. Sports play a vital role in modern contemporary society. It is an integral part of life essential for the physical and mental well-being of individuals. More recently, sport has become a major leisure activity globally (Houlihan, 2008). Its prominence in the media which devotes considerable more coverage has significantly contributed ...
More recently, sport has become a major leisure activity globally (Houlihan, 2008). Its prominence in the media which devotes considerable more coverage has significantly contributed to sports as a major leisure spectator activity (Jarvie, 2006). Research has identified that a vast number of people attend to sporting events.
It is an integral part of life essential for the physical and mental well-being of individuals (Craig & Beedie, 2008). Not only is it a physical activity but also an area where people socially interact. Maguire et al (2002) suggested that sport and leisure activities are an integral part of social life and that they are intricately linked ...
Rugby union is confined to amateur clubs and is often exclusively a public school influenced game (Cashmore, 2010). In 1995, it became more professional and now covers a wider social spectrum. On the other hand, rugby league comprise of professional teams and extends to a working class sport (Craig & Beedie, 2008).
Professional football, however, is by far the most popular spectator sport in Britain. Reading about sports or watching games on big screens or at the stadium has become more prevalent in today’s society. This represents a predominant form of leisure behaviour in the modern society.