The field of play : military and sport in Southern Alberta communities during the Second World War

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
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
Citation