HISTORY
Where & when did soccer begin?
No one knows for certain when the game exactly originated but it has been played in different forms for at least 3000 years.
The earliest evidence of a game similar to soccer being played as a sport is found in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC during the Han dynasty. The game was called Tsu' Chu. It was played with a leather ball filled with feathers and hair. The ball was kicked through an opening of a small net made out of long bamboo canes only 30-40cm in width. Players used their feet, chest, backs and shoulders to play the ball but never their hands.
No one knows for certain when the game exactly originated but it has been played in different forms for at least 3000 years.
The earliest evidence of a game similar to soccer being played as a sport is found in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC during the Han dynasty. The game was called Tsu' Chu. It was played with a leather ball filled with feathers and hair. The ball was kicked through an opening of a small net made out of long bamboo canes only 30-40cm in width. Players used their feet, chest, backs and shoulders to play the ball but never their hands.
Han Dynasty
About 500-600 years later another form of soccer was played in Japan. There were no opponents in this game. Players simply stood in a circle and had to pass the ball trying not to let it touch the ground.
Ancient Romans and Greeks have also been found to have played an early version of soccer for fun. The Roman game "Harpastum" was played with a small ball by two teams on a rectangular field. The objective was to get the ball over the opposition's boundary lines. Players passed the ball to each other and used trickery to confuse their opponents.
Harpastum
According
to historical records and legends, early soccer balls ranged from human heads,
stitched up cloth, animal and human skulls to pig or cow bladders. The animal
bladder balls were eventually covered with leather for better shape retention.
The modern game of soccer is thought to have begun in England. The first ball used has even been said to have been the head of a Danish enemy. During medieval times the game allowed kicking, punching, biting and gouging. The game became very popular until King Edward 3 banned it because it had become so violent both on and off the field.
In 1815 soccer became very popular in Universities, Colleges and schools in England. Eton College made a set of rules known as the Cambridge Rules. In 1855, Charles Goodyear designed and built the first vulcanized rubber soccer balls.
The modern game of soccer is thought to have begun in England. The first ball used has even been said to have been the head of a Danish enemy. During medieval times the game allowed kicking, punching, biting and gouging. The game became very popular until King Edward 3 banned it because it had become so violent both on and off the field.
In 1815 soccer became very popular in Universities, Colleges and schools in England. Eton College made a set of rules known as the Cambridge Rules. In 1855, Charles Goodyear designed and built the first vulcanized rubber soccer balls.
In 1863, eleven representatives from London Clubs and
schools met to set up some common fundamental rules for the game. The outcome
of this meeting was the formation of the Football Association. In 1869
this group strictly banned any kind of handling the ball.
The popularity of soccer quickly spread as British soldiers, sailors and traders introduced the game around the world.
FIFA, The Federation Internationale de Football Association, was established in 1904. By the early 1930s different leagues were operating in many different countries and the first World Cup was played in Uruguay on July 13th, 1930.
The earliest records of soccer been played in Australia date back to the 1830s. In 1832 a game was played in Hyde Park in Sydney. Another recorded match was between inmates and wards men at the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum in 1875.
In 1911 a governing body was formed, the Commonwealth Football Association, to oversee soccer in Australia. This became the Australian Soccer Association in 1921 and by 1922 our first national representative team played against New Zealand, losing 2 of the 3 games played. In 1956, Australia became a FIFA member.
The popularity of soccer quickly spread as British soldiers, sailors and traders introduced the game around the world.
FIFA, The Federation Internationale de Football Association, was established in 1904. By the early 1930s different leagues were operating in many different countries and the first World Cup was played in Uruguay on July 13th, 1930.
The earliest records of soccer been played in Australia date back to the 1830s. In 1832 a game was played in Hyde Park in Sydney. Another recorded match was between inmates and wards men at the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum in 1875.
In 1911 a governing body was formed, the Commonwealth Football Association, to oversee soccer in Australia. This became the Australian Soccer Association in 1921 and by 1922 our first national representative team played against New Zealand, losing 2 of the 3 games played. In 1956, Australia became a FIFA member.