Britain: An official handbook > 1977

^o BRITAIN 1977: AN OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
overseas organisations; and they administer national sports centres. The
Sports Council consults with the Central Council of Physical Recreation,
comprising members of the national governing and representative bodies of
sport and physical recreation in England. The Sports Council is linked with
nine regional sports councils (to be replaced by regional councils for sport and
recreation) in England on which are represented local authorities and sports
interests in each region. The Scottish Sports Council consults with the Scottish
Standing Conference of Sport which comprises representatives of the national
governing bodies of sport in Scotland; and the Sports Council for Wales
maintains, through a standing committee, a close liaison with the governing
bodies of sport in Wales.
The Sports Council for Northern Ireland acts in an advisory capacity and
can assist voluntary bodies by financial contributions towards the cost of
providing equipment, coaching and instruction and in organising inter¬
national or other events. It may also provide and run national sports and
recreation centres.
A bibliographic service about sport is provided by the National Documenta¬
tion Centre which has been set up by the Sports Council and is based at the
University of Birmingham; the council itself has an information centre provid¬
ing data on a wide range of sports topics at its headquarters. A similar service is
provided by the Sports Council for Wales and the Scottish Sports Council.
Voluntary There are a number of voluntary organisations whose activities are concerned
Organisations with recreation. Some, such as the Ramblers’ Association, safeguard the
interests of particular leisure pursuits; others, such as the National Trust
(see p. 165), provide for recreation in addition to their main responsibilities.
Most, however, exist to provide recreational opportunities for young people.
A description of the youth service and an outline of the work of individual
organisations is contained in Chapter 7.
Among the national voluntary bodies most closely connected with the general
development of sport and recreation are the British Olympic Association, the
National Playing Fields Association and the British Sports Association for
the Disabled.
The British
Olympic
Association
The National
Playing Fields
Association
The British Olympic Association, founded in 1905, organises the participation
of British teams in the Olympic Games. The association’s council is composed
of the British members of the International Olympic Committee, representa¬
tives of the controlling bodies of some 25 sports, representatives of the armed
services’ sports organisations and of certain other affiliated bodies concerned
with sporting activities, and a few co-opted members. It determines the size
of the British team (which competes under the name of ‘Great Britain);
raises funds; makes all the arrangements for the team s travel and comfort at
the games; organises the provision and transport of clothing and equipment;
and provides a headquarters staff for the management of the team. A total of
368 British competitors and officials went to the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) aims to stimulate the provi¬
sion of playing fields, playgrounds and local recreation centres by publicity and
technical and financial assistance. Since its inception in 1925 it has distributed
over ^2*25 million in the form of grants for such centres, and over million
in the form of loans. It assists more than 400 schemes a year. The NPFA
gives advice on the provision and layout of sports facilities, including local
recreation centres, on matters relating to the recreational needs of children,