Foundation Friday: Students play game of 'Victorian football'.Club Doncaster Foundation learners were put through their paces this week in a sporting game of Victorian Football. In line with their BTEC Level 3 studies, learners were given the opportunity to try their hand at football, as it was first inducted in 1863.
As well as playing with an original, laced ball, the Club Doncaster students adhered to the rules of the time, a simple 13 rule football match which allowed a certain degree of catching, dribbling and of course, rule 13; ‘No player shall wear projecting nails, iron plates, or ‘gutta percha’ on the soles or heels of his/her boots’.
The game had great significance to Unit 12 of the BTEC Level 3 Sport qualification, where learners study and consider the evolution of sport in the UK over the centuries; playing football to the very first set of rules allowed them to make a comparison between 1863 and the modern game and analyse the need for development of rules and procedures in sport.
Student Josh Gelder added: “The game was really easy to pick up because of the small number of rules. There are a few similarities to the modern game, the 1863 ruled match started to flow after a couple of minutes; I was surprised with the speed of the game and how light the Victorian style ball was.”
Places are still available to study the BTEC L3 Extended Diploma in Sport with further opportunities to participate in both our football or rugby league academies.
You can apply online to study with Club Doncaster at www.drfc-education.co.uk