Old World Models.

Throughout history all societies have had sports of some kind. The Native Americans had a long history of both team games and individual contests. Some of the team sports were also played by women, and many of these contests had ties to religion. Early accounts of Native American sports were positive and contrasted the cheating and foul behavior that marred some European games. Africans also had a long history of games. The skill that most impressed Europeans was swimming, which for Africans (and Native Americans) was tied to a personal cleanliness that Europeans lacked.

Gender.

Europeans, more than either Native Americans or Africans, confined most sports to males. Women rarely competed in games of skill. Females fished but did not hunt, and they did not race on land, sea, or ice although they often were spectators. Women played billiards and gambled at cards and dice...