What national governing bodies in sport do
Promotion
– promoting participation (e.g. equal opportunities policies)
– increasing the popularity of the sport (e.g. schemes for schools)
– exposure in the media (e.g. press releases, public relations)
Development
– elite training and development (e.g. national performance squads and national teams in many sports)
– coaching awards (e.g. England Netball UK Coaching Certificate coaching awards from Level 1 upwards)
– training of officials (e.g. the Rugby Football Union has a young officials award which can be used as a starting point to becoming an official)
Infrastructure
– competitions and tournaments (e.g. England Basketball organise national competitions for over 500 teams from senior to under-13 level)
– rule-making and disciplinary procedures (e.g. the Football Association has a disciplinary procedure for any individual or team connected with the sport)
– providing a national directive and vision
– providing guidelines, support and insurance to members
– assist with facility developments
Policies and initiatives
– anti-doping policies (e.g. the England and Wales Cricket Board has an anti-doping policy and has a list of all substances which are permitted and those that are banned)
– promoting etiquette and fair play (e.g. The Football Association’s ‘Respect’ campaign)
– community programmes (e.g. Amateur Swimming Association’s ‘Swimfit’)
– information and guidance on safeguarding
Funding
– lobby for, and receive, funding
– distribution of funds, i.e.
– grants – government, non-government
– membership
– subscriptions/match fees
– lottery funding
– income from media/ sponsorship/advertising
– private investment and donations
– merchandising
– admission charges
– fund raising events
– provide members with advice about funding
Support
– providing technical advice (e.g. England Hockey provide information about playing surfaces)
– providing location and contact details for local clubs, how to get started in the sport etc.