Generally speaking, football (or soccer to the Americans) is UK's national sport. Personally, I am not a huge football fan. I only watch the World Cup every four years so I will leave the football to more educated folks out there.
However, some other British sports are worth a mention, especially for those who are total strangers to the likes of: rugby, cricket, net ball and rounders.
Rugby
Rugby is basically a more up-market form of football. Descended from a common form of football and developed in different areas of the UK, the game of rugby football originated from a version of football played at Rugby School (one of the UK's leading co-ed boarding schools and is one of the oldest private schools in Britain).
The game originated from one of several different versions of football played at English Public Schools during the 19th century. Click for more info on rugby
Cricket
A bat and ball team game documented as being played in Southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas. By the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held.
Since I am not a huge fan of cricket, you can click here for more info if you are interested.
Net Ball
The game has many similarities to basketball. Derived from early versions of women's basketball, it is a ball game played between two teams of seven players. It developed into a distinct sport in the 1890s in England, where it spread to other countries and is popular in Commonwealth nations and predominantly played by women. Click for more details on the game.
Rounders
A game played between two teams each altering between battling and fielding. Originated in England and has been played since the Tudor times (earliest reference being 1745). It is the British version of baseball with its own set of rules. For more details, click here.
Since I am not a huge fan of cricket, you can click here for more info if you are interested.
The game has many similarities to basketball. Derived from early versions of women's basketball, it is a ball game played between two teams of seven players. It developed into a distinct sport in the 1890s in England, where it spread to other countries and is popular in Commonwealth nations and predominantly played by women. Click for more details on the game.
Rounders
A game played between two teams each altering between battling and fielding. Originated in England and has been played since the Tudor times (earliest reference being 1745). It is the British version of baseball with its own set of rules. For more details, click here.
