On September 1-2 2017 the British Society of Sports History(BSSH) will host its annual conference at the University of Worcester, United Kingdom. The event will take place in the Joel Richards Conference Suite and Riverside Building on the University's Severn Campus. The local organizing committee, BSSH and the University of Worcester are proud to host this year’s event and kindly extend a warm invitation to all who may be interested in attending. In keeping with the intention to foster broad debate, and productive and engaging dialogue, this is an open-themed conference and the organisers welcome a wider array on relevant historical contributions. BSSH and the local organizer as particularly keen this year to support Post-Graduate and Early-Career Researchers who are willing to present their research.

In addition, we would like to take this opportunity to invite delegates attending to conference to also enjoy the social, cultural and sporting delights of the historic city of Worcester during your stay. In addition to being a recognised Cathedral and University town, Worcester also boast a number of historic sporting venues in close proximity to the conference venue. These include the river Severn, home of the Worcester Rowing Club (est.1874); the Worcester Race Course (est.1718); and the Worcestershire County Cricket Club, host to a number of national and internationally acclaimed cricketers (and location of this year’s conference dinner!). The city is also home to Berrow’s Journal (est. 1690), arguably the world’s oldest newspaper still in print; the Royal Infirmary Museum and establishment site of the British Medical Association; the Civic War Commandery (est. 1085); the Cathedral (c.1084-1504); and, historic Friar street.

Call for papers

Submissions based on original research are welcomed from UK and overseas scholars and can relate to any aspect of sport, physical recreation, education and culture as considered from an historical perspective. See below for more information.       

Keynote speakers

Professor Tony Collins
De Montfort University 
Winner of the BSSH Lord Aberdare Literary Prize 2015

Professor Mike Cronin
Boston College, Ireland
The Sir Derek Birley Memorial Lecture