Organisations responsible for the development of sport and active leisure

Organisations responsible for the development of sport and active leisure

Local Authorities

  • Local councils play a significant role in the provision of sport and active leisure, managing public sports centres, swimming pools, and outdoor park facilities.
  • They fund community sports programmes and encourage participation through promotional activities.
  • A local authority’s sport and recreational strategy can significantly influence local participation levels.

Schools

  • Schools are a key organiser of sport and active leisure opportunities for young people.
  • They provide facilities, organise PE lessons, school sports teams and extra-curricular clubs.
  • Many schools work in partnership with local sports clubs to offer more variety.

National Governing Bodies

  • National Governing Bodies (NGBs) like the Football Association (FA) or England Netball oversee their respective sports at a nationwide level.
  • They set rules and regulations, train officials and organise events and competitions.
  • They also develop programmes to encourage wider participation in their sport.

Sport England

  • Sport England is a public body dedicated to increasing sports participation across England at all levels.
  • Its roles include the distribution of funding, advocating for sport, conducting research, and running campaigns like This Girl Can.
  • It also creates partnerships with other organisations to help achieve its objectives.

UK Sport

  • UK Sport is a government agency that invests in high performance sport in the UK, with the goal of achieving success in the Olympic and Paralympic games.
  • It provides funding and support for athletes, coaches and sporting institutions.
  • Its role involves strategic planning, performance support, and talent development.

Leisure Centres

  • Operated by local authorities or private companies, leisure centres are a primary location for many sports and fitness activities.
  • They offer a variety of facilities including gyms, swimming pools, sports courts and fitness studios.
  • Leisure centres often provide classes and activities for a range of ages and abilities.

Private Sector Companies

  • Companies like Virgin Active or David Lloyd Leisure provide sport and leisure facilities on a membership basis.
  • These tend to be more expensive but often provide high-quality facilities and a wide range of activities.
  • The private sector also impacts the development of sport and active leisure through sponsorship and media broadcasting deals.

Voluntary Sector

  • Sports teams, clubs and community organisations typically fall within the voluntary sector.
  • These often rely on the dedication of volunteers to organise and run events and activities.
  • They play a crucial role in grass roots sport, giving individuals of all ages access to sport and active leisure.