Martina Bergman Österberg was a pioneer of physical education for women. In 1885, she founded England’s first college for physical education instructors at 1 Broadhurst Gardens in West Hampstead, which admitted women only.

SWEDISH DRILL

Martina Bergman was born in Sweden, and trained at the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute, founded in Stockholm by Per Henrik Ling. She was an early champion of ‘Swedish drill’, an approach to physical education that attracted considerable attention from the London School Board, which in 1879 appointed her countrywoman Concordia Löfving to develop this aspect of teaching. Bergman took over in 1881, and soon embarked on the development of a course of instruction for teachers attached to the fast-expanding network of Board Schools – the earliest kind of state-run schools – in London.

HAMPSTEAD PHYSICAL TRAINING COLLEGE

In 1885 Madame Bergman Österberg – as she was known after her marriage in 1886 – acquired Number 1 Broadhurst Gardens, then known as Reremonde, to serve as her premises, the  ‘Hampstead Physical Training College’ – the first of its kind for women in England. The college opened with just four students, but by 1895 had 27 trainee teachers and had outgrown its premises. In that year, Bergman Österberg and her flourishing institution transferred to Dartford, Kent. Here, to the rigorous ‘Swedish’ curriculum, were added English team games then becoming popular with women: hockey, cricket and lacrosse. The original site of the college, 1 Broadhurst Gardens, a substantial corner building, dates from 1880 and to its rear, visible from Greencroft Gardens, is the structure which probably served as the gymnasium (dated 1885).

Although she was not the first teacher of ‘Swedish drill’ to work in England, Madame Bergman Österberg’s contribution to the development of physical education in the school curriculum was immense. The founding of her college meant for the first time that teachers could be instructed in Britain rather than having to travel to Scandinavia. Perhaps even more important was her role in the establishment of physical education teaching – and later physiotherapy – as new professions for women.