... archery since the medieval period. However, by the 18th century women had been relegated to the role of spectator, watching men play, and they had attracted the tag of the "weaker sex". Their only involvement was in gentle, elegant and "ladylike" activities such as skittles, quoits and tennis. This was because that was acceptable behaviour at the time, society was male dominant and women learned from their peers how to behave in society. During this phase, major developments were taking place in sports such as governing bodies were being set up and sports were being more organised with established rules. However it was males who were making these decisions and this had an effect on women's participation in sport because the sports had the characteristics that men have because it was men who set them up. This backs up the feminist theorists who believe that sport is gendered. Nevertheless, women were ...

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