The 3 stages of athleticism

Stage 1 - Bullying and Brutality

• Spontaneous, unorganised and centred around natural facilities, e.g. rivers, ponds and lakes.
• The boys had swum in the open at home and brought this culture to school.
• They bathed in their free time with no master input, the river was their place to 'was and have fun'.
• Occured in the summer months, very similar to popular recreation.

Stage 2 - Social Control

• More regular and regulated bathing for safety, hygiene and recreation/
• Increasingly thought of as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
• Arnold used the games as a vehicle for social control.
• He also establised a more trusting and sympathetic relationship with the sixth form, using them as a force of protection for the younger students, ensuring that there was no unfair treatment to the younger students.

Stage 3 - Athleticism

• Increased technical development of natural facilities with changing huts, diving boards, purpose built facilities and organised competitions.
• An example of this would be: River Wey at Charterhouse and Duck Puddle at Harrow.
• Swimming master brought in for teaching and safety.
• A well maintained and safe bathing place gavea godd impression at a time of stiff competition between schools.
• In a comparison to major team games the overall status was limited.