ABSTRACT
This chapter will describe and analyse sport-specifi c policy and practices in one local authority area. Since the inception of Leisure Services Department and service area for sport was founded in the 1970s, the local authority has been the key driving force in sports development. This is demonstrated in the signifi cant investment in a number of specifi c sports, namely, athletics, boxing, football, gymnastics, swimming and tennis. These sports are classed as ‘ priority one ’ sports in Sport and Recreation Service policy and strategy (LCC, 1997, 2003a, 2008a), where for each sport a local public sector infrastructure has emerged over time including facilities directly managed by LCC and dedicated human resources, notably sport-specifi c development offi cers.
