The field of play : military and sport in Southern Alberta communities during the Second World War
Date
2012
Authors
Kabeary, Jennifer
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, [Dept. of] Kinesiology and Physical Education , c[2012]
Abstract
Prior to the beginning of the Second World War discussions of air force training
between Britain and Canada, were ongoing, but never agreed upon. The declarations of war
on Germany from Britain and Canada forced these discussions to a resolution as the air force
was a crucial component of military operations. On December 17, 1939 the agreement known
as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was signed. The agreement
intended that Canada would train all of the Allied air force throughout the war. The
repercussions of the agreement meant that communities across the country became home to
training schools and air force personnel. This study employs geographic and relational
aspects of community theory in the investigation of the role of sport in the relationship
building process between military and civilian communities in Southern Alberta. Sport
provided common ties and opportunities for social interaction in the relationship-building
process between BCATP schools and Southern Alberta communities. Towns were losing
many of the men and women who were playing sport as they joined the services and air force
personnel were replacing them; thereby keeping sport at all levels from completely shutting
down during the war. This study highlights the changes in the sporting landscape as military
sport transitioned from a spectacle to becoming indispensable to local communities. Specific
case studies of basketball and lacrosse in Macleod, hockey in Claresholm and Lethbridge,
soccer in Medicine Hat and sporting charity events indicate the depth to which schools
integrated into towns through sport. Situated within pertinent secondary sources from history,
sociology and sport studies this study draws on six Southern Alberta newspapers, town
council meeting minutes and archival data from the Nanton Bomber Museum, The
Claresholm Museum, The Galt Museum and Archives and the Esplanade Heritage Centre.
Description
ix, 184 leaves ; 29 cm
Keywords
World War, 1939-1945 -- Alberta , Sports -- Alberta, Southern -- History , Sports -- Social aspects -- Alberta, Southern -- History , Aeronautics, Military -- Alberta, Southern -- History , Aeronautics, Military -- Study and teaching -- Alberta, Southern -- History , Alberta -- History -- 1905-1945 , Dissertations, Academic