On Thursday 8th September the passing of Queen Elizabeth II was announced. Her Reign spanned 70 years and was the longest in British history. As tributes continue on SNAP Sponsorship would like to take this opportunity to pay our personal respects by reflecting on the impact Her Majesty has had on sport within the United Kingdom.
Our British Identity
"When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future."
Queen Elizabeth II was the last surviving monarch to serve in the Second World War. Ascending the throne in 1952, seven years after peace was declared, the Queen supported her country as it recovered from the consequences of conflict. Great Britain had been victorious. Though it had cost greatly. Over 384,000 soldiers and 70,000 civilians lost their lives to secure our nation’s freedom. This island race of ours had been an underdog and had enormously suffered from such an awful event.
In the decades that have followed Great Britain has worn this disadvantaged perception as a badge of honour and defiance through many sporting occasions. No one would have expected our country to reclaim the Ashes in 2005. Few may have backed us in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. Even in 1966 our position as favourites was doubtful, as England greeted Germany again, though this time for the Jules Rimet Trophy. Yet, even as underdogs, our country triumphed within each conquest.
Perhaps the reason why our country welcomed Queen Elizabeth II with such love lies not in our devotion for allegiance but through understanding our shared past and communal sufferings. For the past 70 years the Queen has been the embodiment of the British identity. A physical representation of courage, that has borne that famous ‘stiff-upper lip’ persona which is universally recognised and has been represented by a broad range of British sportsmen and women in challenging times. The standard set by Queen Elizabeth II is one that has transcended society and influenced our approach and actions within sport to persevere even when the odds may be against you.
A Matriarchal Monarch
"Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations."
Many of us have never known another monarch. As Queen, Elizabeth II has resembled a mother-like figure that has been projected onto our nation. Great Britain has a rich royal history and, though we may have had more Kings, it is perhaps our Queens that have helped shaped our society for the better. Queen Elizabeth II was no different in this respect.
The Queen was born into an era of inequality that would be inexplicable to our contemporary standards. Her Majesty would have been just two years old when women won the right to vote in 1928. Societal discords of class, race and gender were a normality. Thankfully our country has progressed since these times. It should be argued that her reign is responsible for facilitating such significant change. This is considerably evident within sport from a female perspective.
Today individuals like Kelly Holmes, Jessica Ennis and Paula Radcliff are household names. Today teams like England Women’s Cricketers have been crowned world champions on numerous occasions. Today female sport is thriving on every front. How fitting it was then that in her final year the Queen witnessed one of Britain’s greatest sporting achievements as the Lionesses’ sealed victory in the 2022 European Championships. Queen Elizabeth was more than a monarch. She was a matriarchal majesty who provided a perfect example for women across the world to emulate.
The Elizabethan Legacy
“Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever.”
The sun has set on our Elizabethan age and with it a chapter of history has concluded. For many British people it is unlikely that we shall know another Queen and so her legacy will live on through us. What the Queen epitomised is objective, personal to each individual preference and opinion on the matters of our monarchy. However, regardless of our differential perspectives one thing that we as a social collective can share is our acknowledgement of the Queen’s dedication to national service.
Perhaps this is her greatest legacy to us all. In a country that has experienced extreme social divisions in recent years we often fail each other, refusing to take a moment to understand the opposing narrative. This inability to empathise drives our nation further apart. The Queen stood for our country, stood for our people, stood for our social unity. This is necessary now more than ever. So, how can we preserve this legacy in order to uphold her traditions and ethos?
It can be accomplished through sport. If you are reading this you may be involved in a sport. Perhaps you are a custodian of a club who is responsible for the future of your organisation. Perhaps you are a player who is considering what ways you can positively impact your team. Perhaps you are thinking of taking up a sport to reap the positive benefits that it can produce. Sport provides a pathway for us all to serve one another, strengthening the shared bonds felt by our communities across the country, thus allowing us to nurture the next generation of members within our nation.
Queen Elizabeth II’s influence on British Sport has been immeasurable. Through sacrifice she symbolised a national psyche that has become synonymous with Britishness which has aided us in various sporting tests. Through strength she was an essential driving force for change that has transformed our sport for all people. Through service she has taught us the importance of compassion, patience and devotion to others, something which is both accessible and achievable through the realm of sport. Queen Elizabeth II understood the significance of sport. She was a great lover of horses. She was an avid fan of Cricket and Tennis, taking a particular interest in Wimbledon. She often attended sporting events such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth games. She was even rumoured to be a fan of West Ham United. Although the days of the King are now at hand this remarkable woman, who’s like we shall unlikely witness again, will always remain our Queen.
