ABSTRACT
Sport and physical activity have become increasingly prominent in contemporary political debate and policy development. The example of the UK Government’s most public sport policy document is illustrative of signaling a fundamental shift in the approach to engaging more physically active lifestyles. In the case of the UK, the activities of multiple stakeholders operating locally against the backdrop of a rapidly changing policy and funding environment, generates additional complexity with attendant management issues. For example, the management of sport services by Local Authorities faces challenges around accountability, equity, service quality and sustainability. Strategies for increasing sport participation exemplify the conventional dichotomy between sport narrowly defined as organised/structured, and physical activity broadly defined as unstructured/recreational encompassing different forms of physical expression. The responses of sport organisations to the new realities will differ greatly depending on location, institutional structures and leadership. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
