UK History of Sports

The structure of UK sport often appears complex and irregular because each sport has developed in its own individual way, and not as part of a centrally directed plan.

Going back many years, opportunities for sport were prominent in the armed services, universities and the public schools. There was then a gradual development of national and representative bodies until today the UK has a full range at British (UK) and at the four home country levels. Most of these are in membership of, or recognised by, the European and/or world governing bodies.

The picture is further complicated by some 35 governing bodies covering the whole of Ireland - both Eire and Northern Ireland, e.g. rugby union.

In 1935, by the foresight and determination of Phyllis Colson, the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) was formed in London and extended to Scotland and Wales (although until 1944 it was known as the Central Council of Representative Physical Training) with a further extension of its executive work to Northern Ireland in 1949.

In 1957 the CCPR established a committee:
"To examine factors affecting the development of games, sports and outdoor activities in the United Kingdom and to make recommendations to the CCPR as to any practical measures which should be taken by statutory or voluntary bodies in order that these activities may play their full part in promoting the general welfare of the community".

The committee was chaired by Sir John Wolfenden, and as such became known as the Wolfenden Committee, leading to The Wolfenden Report.

A total of over fifty recommendations were made to the CCPR, one of which would subsequently shape the future administration of sport in the United Kingdom. This recommendation sought the establishment of a 'Sports Development Council' which would receive finance from the government and disperse it in the most appropriate directions.

In July 1961 the Ministry of Education, which provided grants to the CCPR, significantly increased that support, and additional money was also made available to assist other voluntary projects to promote sport and recreation.

In 1963 Lord Hailsham was appointed by a Conservative government as Minister with Special Responsibility for Sport, the first time formal recognition was given to the importance of this area of activity. His appointment again generated additional government spending for the CCPR.

Following the election of a Labour government in 1964, Mr Denis (later Lord) Howell MP was made Minister with Special Responsibility for Sport, and the following year the government decided that, based on the CCPR Wolfenden Committee Report:
"To establish a Sports Council to advise them on matters relating to the development of amateur sport and physical recreation services, and to foster cooperation among the statutory authorities and voluntary organisations concerned".

This was an Advisory Sports Council and it continued to work closely with the CCPR despite some confusion regarding their respective roles. Walter Winterbottom (later Sir Walter), CCPR General Secretary (previously the English FA Chief Coach and also England team manager) became the first Director of the Advisory Sports Council.

On June 10th 1972, with the return of the Conservative government, the Minister for Sport, Mr Eldon Griffiths announced:
"To enhance the status of the Advisory Sports Council, to give it executive powers and to widen its responsibilities".

The then new executive GB Sports Council would be responsible for the grant aiding functions which was previously exercised by government departments.

The membership of the CCPR - the national governing and representative bodies of sports and interested organisations - announced that it would retain its independence. A CCPR regional technical officer was seconded as acting General Secretary, a position later being confirmed as a permanent appointment for Peter Lawson.

It was agreed that the CCPR would, in 1972, transfer all its assets, resources including financial reserves, national centres (Lilleshall, Plas-y-Brenin, Holme Pierrepont, Bisham Abbey, Crystal Palace) and staff of around 400 (national and regional) to the Sports Council.

At the time of the transfer it was discovered, from the CCPR's records, that it could only transfer real property in the event of winding down to a charity, and this necessitated the establishment of the Sports Council Trust (which is now the Sports Council Trust Company) to receive the titles to the National Centres which they still hold.

Then, as consideration for the transfer of these assets, the CCPR and the Sports Council entered into a contract in which the Sports Council agreed to reimburse the CCPR such costs as may be reasonably required to implement their objects. This agreement still exists today.

The GB Sports Council was also responsible for England, with further Sports Councils for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (although Northern Ireland was not formally associated with GB Sports Council) funded by government.

In January 1997 the UK Sports Council (now known as UK Sport) was formed, replacing the GB Sports Council, and a new English Sports Council (now known as Sport England) was set up.