Madame Österberg and the Invention of Netball

Martina Bergman-Österberg was born on 7 October 1849. In her native Sweden she was a supporter of women's suffrage. Her goal was social, economic and spiritual freedom for women. She moved to England in 1881 and created a Physical Training College in Hampstead in 1885 then transferred it to Dartford in 1895. It is now North-West Kent College, Oakfield Lane.

Netball is one of the biggest female participation sports and Madame Osterberg is accredited with it's invention although versions of it were kicking around before she came on to the scene. Her influence on women's sport and fitness however are indisputable.

In 1897 Mary Tait who was one of her students invented the gymslip, a sleeveless tunic with a pleated skirt replacing the ground-length skirts and blouses that were normally worn. Bergman-Österberg adopted the new more practical sports clothings with her students and it became a standard uniform among British schoolgirls during the 20th century.

Sources

YouTube- The Origins and Formation of England Netball

Wikipedia- Gymslip, Martina Bergman-Österberg

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