Madame Bergman Österberg, 1849-1915
FOUNDER, DARTFORD COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
“Her objective was not Swedish gymnastics, nor even physical education. Her life’s work was dedicated to the social, economic and spiritual freedom of women”.
Martina Bergman Österberg was born in Sweden in 1849 and trained at the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute in Stockholm from 1879 to 1881, having previously been a teacher, governess and librarian. She was appointed Lady Superintendent of Physical Education to the London School Board in 1881, introduced Swedish drill into over 276 state schools and personally trained over 1,300 teachers in London by the time she resigned in 1887.
A firm believer in female emancipation and social, economic and spiritual freedom for women, she founded her physical training college for women in Hampstead in 1885, transferring it to Kingsfield, Dartford, in 1895. In doing so she devised a new profession for women and forged a new subject for schools that fused the two systems of Swedish drill and English games. In the 20 years before she died in 1915, Madame herself trained 501 specialist teachers.
In conjunction with student Mary Tait she created the gymslip and the game of netball was developed by students who adapted the rules of basketball. Madame initially introduced her students to basketball following a trip to America where she saw it being played. She understood the British culture of playing games and was keen for her students to play them too.
After Madame’s death, the college continued to be at the forefront of Physical Education teacher training. It survived evacuation to Newquay during World War II, merged with Thames Polytechnic in 1976 before eventually closing in 1986.
Dartford alumni went on to influence the development and delivery of Physical Education in schools and training colleges around the world, including Anstey and Bedford Colleges, the Japan Women’s College of PE, and Frensham School in Australia. Many former students have also had great success on and off the sporting field, including Ann Brightwell, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Michele Verroken. The Ling Association, now the Association for Physical Education, was also founded by ex-Dartford students.
We are proud to celebrate Dartford College of Physical Education as part of the University’s story. In 2017 and 2018 we honoured former students of the College with graduation ceremonies held at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Hundreds of former students joined us to celebrate their achievements with friends and former class mates.
Madame Bergman Österberg, 1849-1915
FOUNDER, DARTFORD COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
“Her objective was not Swedish gymnastics, nor even physical education. Her life’s work was dedicated to the social, economic and spiritual freedom of women”.
Martina Bergman Österberg was born in Sweden in 1849 and trained at the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute in Stockholm from 1879 to 1881, having previously been a teacher, governess and librarian. She was appointed Lady Superintendent of Physical Education to the London School Board in 1881, introduced Swedish drill into over 276 state schools and personally trained over 1,300 teachers in London by the time she resigned in 1887.
A firm believer in female emancipation and social, economic and spiritual freedom for women, she founded her physical training college for women in Hampstead in 1885, transferring it to Kingsfield, Dartford, in 1895. In doing so she devised a new profession for women and forged a new subject for schools that fused the two systems of Swedish drill and English games. In the 20 years before she died in 1915, Madame herself trained 501 specialist teachers.
In conjunction with student Mary Tait she created the gymslip and the game of netball was developed by students who adapted the rules of basketball. Madame initially introduced her students to basketball following a trip to America where she saw it being played. She understood the British culture of playing games and was keen for her students to play them too.
After Madame’s death, the college continued to be at the forefront of Physical Education teacher training. It survived evacuation to Newquay during World War II, merged with Thames Polytechnic in 1976 before eventually closing in 1986.
Dartford alumni went on to influence the development and delivery of Physical Education in schools and training colleges around the world, including Anstey and Bedford Colleges, the Japan Women’s College of PE, and Frensham School in Australia. Many former students have also had great success on and off the sporting field, including Ann Brightwell, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Michele Verroken. The Ling Association, now the Association for Physical Education, was also founded by ex-Dartford students.
We are proud to celebrate Dartford College of Physical Education as part of the University’s story. In 2017 and 2018 we honoured former students of the College with graduation ceremonies held at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Hundreds of former students joined us to celebrate their achievements with friends and former class mates.
