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Tom Weir

De Montfort University, International Centre for Sport History and Culture, Graduate Student

University of York, History, Undergraduate

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I am currently a PhD candidate at DMU, researching into the history of Disability Sport for people with intellectual disabilities from 1960 to the present day. This was made possible with the support of the AHRC Midlands 3 cities funding scheme. See more at: https://vpp.midlands3cities.ac.uk/display/P14171122/Sporting+Participation+and+People+with+Learning+Disabilities:+A+History,+c.1960-2012

In September 2015 I completed studying for an MA at the International Centre for Sports History and Culture, De Montfort. My dissertation was a biography of James Peters, England's first Black player, focusing especially on the issue of if he was boycotted by the 1906 Springbok Team.

Alongside this I am also researching into the history of Saracens Rugby Club and its players involvement in The Great War, working alongside Colin Veitch. www.saracensrugbyww1.com
Supervisors: Dr Neil Carter and Professor Matthew Taylor
Address: United Kingdom

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Papers by Tom Weir

Rugby Injury, Risk, Public Debate and History June 14th 2016 - PUBLISHED.pdf

by Colin Veitch and Tom Weir

We were honoured to have been invited by the History & Policy organisation to submit a paper that... more We were honoured to have been invited by the History & Policy organisation to submit a paper that would contribute to the current debate on the injury dangers posed by participation in rugby. The brief was to explore whether there were any historical precedents, where the lobbying of the games' authorities by concerned individuals, medical professionals and parents had influenced the development of rugby as a sport. This paper was published on 14th June 2016 on their website here http://www.historyandpolicy.org/opinion-articles/articles/rugby-injury-risk-public-debate-and-history

Thematic review- Sport and British Imperialism

Thematic review, linked with my MA dissertation on James Peters

James Peters: The man they wouldn't play

My final MA dissertation on James Peters, England's first black Rugby player and International sp... more

The Literaturisation of Rugby

Review- 'When Johnny Owen's Courage Let Him Down'

To What extent was sport Institutionally Racist in Britain between 1900-1970

Review of Marvellous- media and intellectual disability in sport

Why And To What Extent Did Sport Become A Vehicle For Ethnic Identity?

The role of sport within the British Empire was to be one of the great mechanisms for exerting so... more The role of sport within the British Empire was to be one of the great mechanisms for exerting soft power. Its proliferation, although for the most part not a deliberate governmental policy, helped spread British culture wider and more effectively than almost any other medium. 'Sport became a channel for the imposition of British values on colonial society,' whether helping 'educate' natives in perceived British values of 'fair play' or allowing émigrés to maintain a sense of Britishness. 2 Richard Holt covers this comprehensively in Sport and the British, displaying the use of sport as a conduit of Britain's unique cultural sensibilities. 3 Rather than challenge his conclusions on the initial spread of sport and its impact, to advance the debate it is important to look at the reaction to this spread of British sporting culture by those affected by it. Some sportsmen sought to assimilate and gain acceptance through their sporting prowess, whilst others saw British sport as a challenge to their own nation's sense of ethnic identity. Whilst it did indeed serve as 'cultural cement' in cases such as Prince Ranjitsinhji, for organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association sport acted as the most effective remedy for removal of unwanted British influence. By focusing primarily on the years 1880-1914, it is possible to study the most effective examples of both this wish for assimilation, and the development of ethnic identities by those countries within the Empire.

Book Review of the Final Whistle by Stephen Cooper

Professionals, Cheats And Superior 'Muscular Manhood': British Domestic Responses To The 1905 New Zealand 'All Blacks' Rugby Union Tour

Talks by Tom Weir

Should Rugby ban tackling in under 18's? A player responds

Rugby may not be the safest sport, but for many of us its the only one where we felt valued. We w... more Rugby may not be the safest sport, but for many of us its the only one where we felt valued. We weren’t just human detritis floating on the pitch or players making up the numbers, but a crucial component in a team. The children that often cant find a place in other sports are vital to ‘prop up’ rugby. Remove tackling from the game and you deny that chance to feel valued to those children most at risk from inactivity.

Rugby Injury, Risk, Public Debate and History June 14th 2016 - PUBLISHED.pdf

by Colin Veitch and Tom Weir

We were honoured to have been invited by the History & Policy organisation to submit a paper that... more We were honoured to have been invited by the History & Policy organisation to submit a paper that would contribute to the current debate on the injury dangers posed by participation in rugby. The brief was to explore whether there were any historical precedents, where the lobbying of the games' authorities by concerned individuals, medical professionals and parents had influenced the development of rugby as a sport. This paper was published on 14th June 2016 on their website here http://www.historyandpolicy.org/opinion-articles/articles/rugby-injury-risk-public-debate-and-history

Thematic review- Sport and British Imperialism

Thematic review, linked with my MA dissertation on James Peters

James Peters: The man they wouldn't play

My final MA dissertation on James Peters, England's first black Rugby player and International sp... more

The Literaturisation of Rugby

Review- 'When Johnny Owen's Courage Let Him Down'

To What extent was sport Institutionally Racist in Britain between 1900-1970

Review of Marvellous- media and intellectual disability in sport

Why And To What Extent Did Sport Become A Vehicle For Ethnic Identity?

The role of sport within the British Empire was to be one of the great mechanisms for exerting so... more The role of sport within the British Empire was to be one of the great mechanisms for exerting soft power. Its proliferation, although for the most part not a deliberate governmental policy, helped spread British culture wider and more effectively than almost any other medium. 'Sport became a channel for the imposition of British values on colonial society,' whether helping 'educate' natives in perceived British values of 'fair play' or allowing émigrés to maintain a sense of Britishness. 2 Richard Holt covers this comprehensively in Sport and the British, displaying the use of sport as a conduit of Britain's unique cultural sensibilities. 3 Rather than challenge his conclusions on the initial spread of sport and its impact, to advance the debate it is important to look at the reaction to this spread of British sporting culture by those affected by it. Some sportsmen sought to assimilate and gain acceptance through their sporting prowess, whilst others saw British sport as a challenge to their own nation's sense of ethnic identity. Whilst it did indeed serve as 'cultural cement' in cases such as Prince Ranjitsinhji, for organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association sport acted as the most effective remedy for removal of unwanted British influence. By focusing primarily on the years 1880-1914, it is possible to study the most effective examples of both this wish for assimilation, and the development of ethnic identities by those countries within the Empire.

Book Review of the Final Whistle by Stephen Cooper

Professionals, Cheats And Superior 'Muscular Manhood': British Domestic Responses To The 1905 New Zealand 'All Blacks' Rugby Union Tour

Should Rugby ban tackling in under 18's? A player responds

Rugby may not be the safest sport, but for many of us its the only one where we felt valued. We w... more Rugby may not be the safest sport, but for many of us its the only one where we felt valued. We weren’t just human detritis floating on the pitch or players making up the numbers, but a crucial component in a team. The children that often cant find a place in other sports are vital to ‘prop up’ rugby. Remove tackling from the game and you deny that chance to feel valued to those children most at risk from inactivity.