Britain: An official handbook > 1993

SPORT AND ACTIVE RECREATION
techniques. It promotes safe diving, training,
science and sport. The Club is the largest of
its kind in the world, with over 46,000
members and more than 1,250 branches in
Britain and overseas.
Swimming
Swimming is enjoyed by millions of people in
Britain, many of whom learn to swim at
public baths, schools or swimming clubs.
Instruction and coaching are provided by
qualified teachers who hold certificates
awarded by the Amateur Swimming
Association, to which nearly 2,000 clubs are
affiliated. Northern Ireland forms part of the
Irish Amateur Swimming Association. The
Associations control swimming, diving,
synchronised swimming and water polo
championships and competitions.
For major international competitions, such
as the Olympic Games and the World and
European Championships, England, Scotland
and Wales compete together as one team
under the auspices of the Amateur Swimming
Federation of Great Britain. At the 1992
Olympics Nick Gillingham won a bronze
medal in the 200 metres breaststroke.
Table Tennis
The origins of table tennis are uncertain, but
it developed in Britain from around the
middle of the nineteenth century, becoming
an Olympic sport in 1988. In addition to
being one of the most popular indoor sports
for young people, it is played by a broad age
range of adults, with men outnumbering
women. Requiring relatively simple and
inexpensive equipment, table tennis is
played in schools, youth clubs and private
clubs.
The governing body for men’s and
women’s table tennis in England is the
English Table Tennis Association, to which
some 4,500 clubs are affiliated. There are
separate governing bodies in Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland.
Tennis
The modern game of tennis originated in
England in 1872 and the first championships
were played at Wimbledon in 1877. The
controlling body in Great Britain, the Lawn
Tennis Association, was founded in 1888;
Northern Ireland forms part of the Irish
Lawn Tennis Association.
The main event of the year is the annual
Wimbledon fortnight, one of the four tennis
‘grand slam’ tournaments. This draws large
crowds, with the ground at the All England
Club accommodating around 30,000
spectators. Prize money totalled ^4-4 million
in 1992. There are also national and county
championships and national competitions for
boys’ and girls’ schools. Short tennis is often
played by children under 10.
Tenpin Bowling
Tenpin bowling is played at nearly 200
indoor bowling centres throughout Britain.
More than 25,000 people belong to the
sport’s governing body, the British Tenpin
Bowling Association.
Volleyball
Volleyball was established in Britain in the
1950s, having first been played in the United
States at the end of the nineteenth century.
The number of registered players in Britain
grew substantially in the 1980s, with men at
first far outnumbering women; today, of the
total of 25,000 registered players, about
11,000 are women. Volleyball is popular
among schoolchildren and university and
college students. Mini-volley is a version of
the game adapted for children under 13.
Although volleyball can be played outdoors, it
is normally played in indoor sports halls.
The English Volleyball Association, the
Scottish Volleyball Association, the Welsh
Volleyball Association, and the Northern
Ireland Volleyball Association act as the
sport’s governing bodies.
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