Organisations in sport and active leisure

Organisations in Sport and Active Leisure

Local Authorities

  • Local authorities are major providers of sport and active leisure facilities in the community.
  • They provide and maintain parks, leisure centres, swimming pools, sport halls and other recreational facilities.
  • Local authorities work in partnership with national bodies like Sport England and UK Sport to promote physical activity and tackle health issues.

Governing Bodies

  • Sports governing bodies are organisations that oversee a specific sport, creating rules, organising competitions, and promoting participation.
  • Examples include the Football Association (FA), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and British Cycling.
  • They offer training and qualifications for coaches, referees, and volunteers in their sport.

National Lottery

  • The National Lottery funds several groups that invest in sport and active leisure, including Sport England, UK Sport, and the National Lottery Community Fund.
  • This funding helps build and upgrade sports facilities, provide training for competitive athletes, and create opportunities for participation at all levels.

Public and Private Sector

  • The public sector includes local councils, state schools, and national health services. It provides facilities for sport and physical activity, usually supported by taxpayer money.
  • The private sector includes gyms, sports clubs, and fitness centres. It is profit-driven, offering premium, specialist facilities or services to customers who can afford them.

Voluntary Sector

  • The voluntary sector includes organisations like sports clubs and community centres that are run by volunteers and rely on donations or subscription fees.
  • Many sports clubs (such as local football or cricket clubs) belong to this sector. They play a critical role in developing local talent and fostering community spirit.

Sport England and UK Sport

  • Sport England focuses on grassroots sport, aiming to ensure that everyone can access and enjoy sport and physical activity.
  • UK Sport is dedicated to elite sport, providing funding and support to help Britain’s top athletes achieve success on the international stage.

Educational Institutions

  • Educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities provide sports and active leisure opportunities to pupils and students.
  • They have sports facilities, run extracurricular sports clubs, and provide physical education as part of the curriculum.

Health Sector

  • The health sector promotes sport and physical activity as means of improving public health.
  • Health campaigns promoting regular exercise are often ran in conjunction with other sporting organisations.

Remember, each organisation contributes in its unique way to advancing sport and active leisure. They all can make a significant impact on encouraging healthy, active lifestyles and promoting sports participation at all levels.