1915 in sports

Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War I

1915 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.

College championship

Professional championships

Events

England

Division One (20 clubs) — Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue, Burnley, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Sheffield United, The Wednesday, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion
Division Two (20 clubs) — Arsenal, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Blackpool, Bristol City, Bury, Derby County, Fulham, Glossop, Grimsby Town, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Leeds City, Leicester City, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Nottingham Forest, Preston North End, Stockport County, Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • The continuance of World War I after the 1914–15 season causes the suspension of top-class football until 1919, with many footballers signing up to fight for their country. The FA Cup and Football League are not contested again until after the end of the war, although regional leagues and cups are set up at various times.

Germany

Marathon

VFL Premiership

South Australian Football League:

  • 26 June: By drawing 4.8 (32) each with Port Adelaide, South Adelaide end the Magpies’ run of 29 consecutive victories, including one against Carlton and one against a combined team from the other six SAFL clubs.[2]
  • 25 September: Sturt win their first SAFL premiership, beating Port Adelaide 6.10 (46) to 4.10 (34) in the 1915 SAFL Grand Final.

West Australian Football League:

  • 25 September: Subiaco 3.3 (21) defeat Perth 2.7 (19) for their third WAFL premiership.

Sweden

World Series

Events

  • 5 April — Jess Willard, the latest "Great White Hope", defeats Jack Johnson with a 26th-round knockout in sweltering heat at Havana, Cuba. Willard becomes very popular among white Americans for "bringing back the championship to the white race".[3]
  • While six world titles remain unchanged in 1915, the World Welterweight Championship changes hands three times in less than three months between June and August. Finally, it comes to Ted "Kid" Lewis, who defeats Jack Britton twice to win and then retain the title, which will interchange between these two over the next four years.

Lineal world champions[4]

Events

  • Because of World War I, there is no first-class cricket in South Africa in the 1914–15 season, nor in England in 1915. Australia goes ahead with the 1914–15 Sheffield Shield competition but then suspends first-class cricket until 1919. Similarly, in New Zealand, the Plunket Shield is contested but then there is no first-class cricket until 1918. Only in India is first-class cricket able to continue through the war years.

England

Australia

India

New Zealand

South Africa

West Indies

Tour de France

Giro d'Italia

World Figure Skating Championships

Major tournaments

Other tournaments

England

Australia

Canada

Ireland

USA

Stanley Cup

Events

Far Eastern Championship Games

The Boat Race

Events

  • Huddersfield becomes the second team to achieve the celebrated "All Four Cups" feat. Huddersfield at this time is known as the "Team of all the Talents".
  • The continuance of World War I after the 1914–15 season causes the suspension of top-class rugby league until 1919.

England

Australia

Five Nations Championship

Speed Skating World Championships

Australia

England

France

USA

Davis Cup

  • 1915 International Lawn Tennis Challenge – not contested

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 2017 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2017. pp. 107–109. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  2. ^ See Devaney, John; ‘The Invincibles at Play’; in Full Points Footy’s SA Football Companion, pp. 244-249
  3. ^ CBZ — Jess Willard biography. Retrieved on 13 September 2009.
  4. ^ Cyber Boxing Zone
  5. ^ "Cycling-Tour de France list of winners". Eurosport UK. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Epsom Derby | History, Winners, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Patrobas Wins Victoria Derby & Melbourne Cup :: "Pilot's" Story of Big Race". Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939). 3 November 1915. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  8. ^ "WW1 boat race medal sold at auction". BBC News. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2021.