Data re Montreal Sport

• Don’t get hung up on numbers; rather look at what the data say about clubs, how long they existed and permanence

• For MAAA info, note growth trends from 1881-1909

1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890

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Number of Clubs

Sporting Clubs in Montreal, 1840-1894

MAAA Stated Purpose

• “the promotion of physical and mental culture among, and the providing of rational amusements and recreation for its members”

The MSSC “halt” on Mount Royal, circa 1870s

Song of the Montreal Snowshoe ClubSong of the Montreal Snowshoe ClubPass the bottle and fill your glasses,Pass the bottle and fill your glasses,Now that each has munched his grub,Now that each has munched his grub,We’ll drink success to the pretty lasses,We’ll drink success to the pretty lasses,Whose lovers belong to the Snow Shoe Club.Whose lovers belong to the Snow Shoe Club.

Yes tonight we’ll all unite Yes tonight we’ll all unite To success to the Snow Shoe Club To success to the Snow Shoe Club

At racing, we challenge all creation,At racing, we challenge all creation,Let them be prepared for a very hard rub,Let them be prepared for a very hard rub,If among the picked men of any nation,If among the picked men of any nation,Some think they can beat the Snow Shoe ClubSome think they can beat the Snow Shoe Club

Then to-night, with all our might,Then to-night, with all our might,We’ll drink success to the Snow Shoe ClubWe’ll drink success to the Snow Shoe Club

All pretty girls take my advice,All pretty girls take my advice,On some vain fop don’t waste your lub,On some vain fop don’t waste your lub,But if you wish to hug something nice, But if you wish to hug something nice, Why marry a boy of the Snow Shoe ClubWhy marry a boy of the Snow Shoe ClubThen each night, with wild delight,Then each night, with wild delight,You’ll sing success to the Snow Shoe Club.You’ll sing success to the Snow Shoe Club.

Montreal Snow shoeing

• “tramps” taverns, dinners• Races on horserace courses ’43• “manly virtues” of snowshoeing – the pretty lasses• 1860s and MSSC leader in organizing races:

bands, grandstands, precision in organization, prizes: racism

• The masculine was white, middle class, public face of honour – became amateur

Snowshoe hurdle races; hurdler in front has caught the toe of his snowshoe

The social aspectof MSSC was retained in itselaborate dinners

Montreal ice “phantasmagoria”, date unknown, likely1870s, 1880s

Ice Palace of 1883 Winter Carnival

Ice Palace of 1887 (?) Montreal Winter Carnival

MAAA Billiard Room

MAAA Bowling lanes

MAAA Reading Room, legacy of its Montreal Library days

Canadian National Sport Bodies

• 1867 - National Lacrosse Association• 1868 - Dominion of Canada Rifle Association• 1880 - National Amateur Lacrosse Assoc.• 1882 - Canadian Wheelman’s Assoc.• 1884 - Amateur Athletic Assoc. of Canada• 1884 - Canadian Lawn Tennis Assoc.• 1884 - Canadian Rugby Football Union• 1887 - Canadian Lacrosse Assoc.• 1888 - Amateur Skating Assoc. of Canada• 1892 - Canadian Cricket Assoc.

Canadian National Sport Bodies

• 1895 - Royal Canadian Golf Association• 1895 - Canadian Jockey Club• 1898 - Canadian Amateur Athletic Association• 1899 - Canadian Gymnastics Association• 1899 - Canadian Trotting Association• 1900 - Canadian Canoe Association• 1906 - Alpine Club of Canada• 1907 - Canadian Snowshoe Union• 1909 - Canadian Amateur Swimming Assoc.• 1909 - Amateur Athletic Union of Canada