All mining districts in Canada display an inordinate preoccupation with sporting activities, partly because mine owners have always promoted healthy competition. Some observers have argued that this was an especially useful tactic for diverting the workers' attention from the injustices of the labour-capital relationship in these communities. In most instances, however, it reflected the normal competitive spirit in communities where cultural and recreational outlets were very basic.
Hockey, baseball and basketball were all popular at one time or another, but rugby, an import common to mining communities in the old country, contributed most to community solidarity during the early decades of the twentieth century. The Caledonia team pictured here was particularly famous; it dominated competitions in Cape Breton for several decades and captured provincial and national championships. A precursor of modern football, rugby requires virtually no equipment and places a premium on brawn an attribute well nurtured in the coal mines. Prowess on the rugby field was equated with pride in the mining profession and as well, it reflected and encouraged community pride. Other sports events eventually replaced the rugby contests of the early part of the century, but none have surpassed them in intensity.
