The Active Leisure Industry

Form of physical activity that usually has some element of competition & usually governed by set of rules Active sport - playing football match Passive sport - watching football match

Participating in any physical activity that refreshes body & mind

Sport and Physical Recreation Home-based Leisure Arts and Entertainment Countryside recreation Catering and Hospitality Heritage and Visitor Attractions

Things that take place outside your home which ‘entertain you’ Can be things you watch, e.g. musical or things you take part in, e.g. bingo, dance troop

Can take place in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), coastline or moors Place visited for landscape, scenery but also activities like skiing, walking Charities like Ramblers Association work to promote walking in countryside & improve conditions for walkers Walking is free & suitable for all age groups, but countryside also offers caving, skiing

Music - listening & playing TV related entertainment Crafts Home improvement & gardening Internet-based leisure Reading Games - including interactive games

Mainly associated with children, e.g. bouncy castles, rope bridges, zip lines

Defined as ‘physically energetic recreational activities’

Public sector (Local authorities, e.g. councils) Private sector (business - profit making) Voluntary (local clubs - grass roots)

Government provides money spent on sport and active leisure This money generated by taxing general public, ensuring taxpayers get value for money Funding used to provide active leisure services such as Public Leisure Centres These are managed for good of community, Increasing health & fitness of individuals & communities as whole

Active leisure & sporting facilities funded by profit making organisations Investments made by private individuals to provide sporting & active leisure facilities Commercial companies provide opportunities, facilities & services to make financial profit Customers pay membership for access to services and facilities Investments by shareholders to provide active leisure facilities

Characteristics: Owned by members Possibly run on trust/charity basis or loss/breakeven Financed by members fees, fundraising & sponsorship Provide opportunity for grass roots Increase participation Run on voluntary basis to reduce costs Objectives: Provide for grass roots participation Increase number of members Increase performance levels of teams Provide social interaction opportunities Seek funds from sponsors & lottery to develop facilities

Advantages: Has underpinning requirement to act in public’s interest for national & local community Has resources allocated from local national taxation for his purpose Not driven to make profit Disadvantages: Funds for projects/improvements limited Local authorities in disadvantaged areas have less money to spend on facilities Local authorities don’t have same financial freedom as private sector to borrow money to invest for future

Advantages: Can act quickly to meet demand shown by market research or generated by govt. policy Can meet individual needs Can restrict membership so that gyms not overcrowded Disadvantages: High costs of joining Restriction in number may mean waiting lists Is it social exclusivity/discrimination? Sport may suffer from image of exclusivity therefore have low participation numbers, e.g. tennis/golf

Advantages: Range of activities at levels available People with drive can create opportunities Exists for those who want to be involved Lots of support available from local & national government & often business community through local sponsorship Disadvantages: Sector relatively unplanned & uncontrolled Doesn’t have equal opportunities remit Continuity can’t be guaranteed Can be socially exclusive