1.Health Service
*Implementation and comparisons
Universal health care systems vary according to the extent of government involvement in providing care and/or health insurance. In some countries, such as the UK, Spain, Italy and the Nordic countries, the government has a high degree of involvement in the commissioning or delivery of health care services and access is based on residence rights not on the purchase of insurance. Others have a much more pluralistic delivery system based on obligatory health with contributory insurance rates related to salaries or income, and usually funded by employers and beneficiaries jointly. Sometimes the health funds are derived from a mixture of insurance premiums and government taxes. These insurance based systems tend to have a higher proportion of private medical providers obtaining reimbursement, often at heavily regulated rates, through mutual or publicly owned medical insurers. A few countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland operate via privately owned but heavily regulated private insurers. The compulsory insurance systems of central and eastern Europe typically fail to provide truly universal coverage, leaving up to 3% of their population without coverage. They often operate as two-tier systems and also fail to guarantee fee reimbursement due to means testing of sickness funds.
Universal health care is a broad concept that has been implemented in several ways. The common denominator for all such programs is some form of government action aimed at extending access to health care as widely as possible and setting minimum standards. Most implement universal health care through legislation, regulation and taxation. Legislation and regulation direct what care must be provided, to whom, and on what basis. Usually some costs are borne by the patient at the time of consumption but the bulk of costs come from a combination of compulsory insurance and tax revenues. Some programs are paid for entirely out of tax revenues. In others tax revenues are used either to fund insurance for the very poor or for those needing long term chronic care.
The UK government's National Audit Office in 2003 published an international comparison of ten different health care systems in ten developed countries, nine universal systems against one non-universal system (the U.S.), and their relative costs and key health outcomes. A wider international comparison of 16 countries, each with universal health care, was published by the World Health Organization in 2004. In some cases, government involvement also includes directly managing the health care system, but many countries use mixed public-private systems to deliver universal health care.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care
*Funding Models
Universal health care in most countries has been achieved by a mixed model of funding. General taxation revenue is the primary source of funding, but in many countries it is supplemented by specific levies (which may be charged to the individual and/or an employer) or with the option of private payments (either direct or via optional insurance) for services beyond that covered by the public system.
Almost all European systems are financed through a mix of public and private contributions. The majority of universal health care systems are funded primarily by tax revenue (e.g. Portugal and Spain). Some nations, such as Germany, France and Japan employ a multi-payer system in which health care is funded by private and public contributions. However, much of the non-government funding is by defined contributions by employers and employees to regulated non-profit sickness funds. These contributions are compulsory and vary according to a person's salary, and are effectively a form of hypothecated taxation.
A distinction is also made between municipal and national healthcare funding. For example, one model is that the bulk of the healthcare is funded by the municipality, speciality healthcare is provided and possibly funded by a larger entity, such as a municipal co-operation board or the state, and the medications are paid by a state agency.Universal health care systems are modestly redistributive. Progressivity of health care financing has limited implications for overall income inequality.
*Compulsory Insurance
This is usually enforced via legislation requiring residents to purchase insurance, though sometimes, in effect, the government provides the insurance. Sometimes there may be a choice of multiple public and private funds providing a standard service (e.g. as in Germany) or sometimes just a single public fund (as in Canada).
In some European countries where there is private insurance and universal health care, such as Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands, the problem of adverse selection (see Private insurance below) is overcome using a risk compensation pool to equalize, as far as possible, the risks between funds. Thus a fund with a predominantly healthy, younger population has to pay into a compensation pool and a fund with an older and predominantly less healthy populat would receive funds from the pool. In this way, sickness funds compete on price and there is no advantage to eliminate people with higher risks because they are compensated for by means of risk-adjusted capitation payments. Funds are not allowed to pick and choose their policyholders or deny coverage, but then mainly compete on price and service. In some countries the basic coverage level is set by the government and cannot be modified.
Ireland at one time had a "community rating" system through VHI, effectively a single-payer or common risk pool. The government later opened VHI to competition but without a compensation pool. This resulted in foreign insurance companies entering the Irish market and offering cheap health insurance to relatively healthy segments of the market which then made higher profits at VHI's expense. The government later re-introduced community rating through a pooling arrangement and at least one main major insurance company, BUPA, then withdrew from the Irish market.
*Private Insurance
This article may be inaccurate in or unbalanced towards certain viewpoints. Please improve the article by adding information on neglected viewpoints, or discuss the issue on the talk page. (June 2009)
In some countries with universal coverage, private insurance often excludes many health conditions which are expensive and which the state health care system can provide. For example in the UK, one of the largest private health care providers is BUPA which has the following list of general exclusions. Dental/oral treatment (such as fillings, gum disease, jaw shrinkage, etc)†; pregnancy and childbirth†; temporary relief of symptoms†; convalescence, rehabilitation and general nursing care†; drugs and dressings for out-patient or take-home use†; screening and preventive treatment; birth control, conception, sexual problems and sex changes†; allergies or allergic disorders; chronic conditions†; eyesight†; physical aids and devices†; *deafness; cosmetic, reconstructive or weight loss treatment† ; ageing, menopause and puberty ; dialysis† ; complications from excluded or restricted conditions/ treatment ; HRT and bone densitometry†; learning difficulties, behavioural and developmental problems ; overseas treatment and repatriation ; AIDS/HIV† ; pre-existing or special conditions ; experimental drugs and treatment† ; sleep problems and disorders ; speech disorders†.all of which (except overseas repatriation) are available for free or very low cost from the NHS. († indicates that treatment may be provided in certain circumstances)
Where voluntary insurance (often private) is predominant, such as in the U.S., medical (health) insurance is subject to the well-known economic problem of adverse selection which may also be referred to as a market failure. Adverse selection in insurance markets occurs because those providing insurance have limited information with which to estimate the health risks on which they may need to pay future claims. In simple terms, those with poor health are more likely to apply for insurance and more likely to need treatments requiring high insurance company payouts. Those with good health may find the cost of insurance too high for the perceived benefit, and some will remove themselves from the risk pool. This adverse selection concentrates the risk pool, thereby further raising costs. In practical terms, the potential for adverse selection means that private insurers have an economic incentive to use medical underwriting to 'weed out' high cost applicants in order to avoid adverse selection. Among the potential solutions posited by economists are single payer systems as well as other methods of ensuring that health insurance is universal, such as by requiring all citizens to purchase insurance and limiting the ability of insurance companies to deny insurance to individuals or vary price between individuals.
http://www.uksport.gou.uk/news/837/
2.Participating Sports
a.UK SPORT AND SPORT ENGLAND
have released new research showing that the number of people participating in sport in England is likely to fall by almost a million by 2026, unless positive action is taken to address the situation. This study echoes the recent call by the British Heart Foundation for the Government to address the growing levels of inactivity in adults and children, which is making the UK a "couch potato society".
The latest figures are part of a new report - Participation In Sport, Past Trends And Future Prospects – published by UK Sport and Sport England. Using population projections for different age groups over the next 30 years (2006, 2016 and 2026), the research estimates how many people will be taking part in sport in the future.
The data shows that if participation rates follow the same trends as they did between 1990 and 1996 for adults, and between 1994 and 1999, for young people, by 2026 the number of sports participants in England will have fallen by 0.9 million – a decrease in the overall participation rate from 52.5% to 46.3%.
As well as predicting levels of participation in England, the research also includes projections on adult participation in Great Britain as a whole where similar trends were evident.
-SIR RODNEY WALKER, Chairman of UK Sport, said: "It is only by undertaking such research that we can focus our efforts on the issues that really matter. This publication is an essential tool in helping us plan for the future, to make a real difference in improving British lifestyles and increasing achievement in sport.
"If we can ensure that the success achieved at the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games is repeated in Athens and beyond, future generations will continue to want to emulate their sporting heroes."
Trevor Brooking, Chair of Sport England, the country’s leading sports development agency and distributor of Lottery funds to sport, said: "This is a worrying trend that has major implications for the health of our nation. I’m confident that we can help reverse this trend through the development of sport facilities, creating environments for adults and children to become more actively involved in sport. Our new initiatives will ensure that we are reaching the areas of greatest need, giving people an equal opportunity to participate in sport. Nevertheless, it is still vital that the Government, both central and local, places sport much higher on the nation’s agenda."
-RICHARD CABORN, the Minister for Sport, expressed his support, recognising that, "The growing prevalence of obesity across the population is a serious issue which needs to be tackled. Promoting and increasing opportunities for physical activity in the population is important in combating the prevalence of obesity, both in terms of prevention and treatment.
"I believe in 'getting them when they're young' - my Department has a target of raising the average time spent on sport and PE by 6 to 16 year olds to 9 hours per week by 2004. We are working closely with the Department of Health and the Treasury to produce a National Physical Activity Strategy to stop this trend in its tracks."
The report was also welcomed by Belinda Linden, Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, who said: "Inactivity is implicated in over a third of deaths from heart attacks, and worryingly, is on the increase. Any form of exercise, whether it be a brisk walk to the shops or participating in sports, can benefit the cardiovascular system, improve cholesterol levels and aid weight loss.
"Participating in physical activity with friends is a great way to stay motivated and also have fun, but more importantly, it is a great way to reduce the risk of getting heart disease."
Participation In Sport, Past Trends And Future Prospects will not only help Sport England and UK Sport, but it will also provide UK business professionals with an indication of new, potentially lucrative markets. With an ageing population, the publication has highlighted that sports such as bowls and golf are likely to be two major growth areas.
http://en.wiki.org/wiki/sport_in_the_UK
b.Major sports in the UK
experienced Sports facilities are generally excellent throughout the UK, whether you’re a novice or an competitor. Among the most popular sports are soccer (football), rugby (union and league rules), cricket, athletics, fishing, snooker, horse racing, motor racing, golf, archery, hiking, cycling, squash, badminton, tennis, swimming and skiing, an large number of which were British inventions.
Most water (sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing, yachting) and aerial sports (hang-gliding, parachuting, ballooning, gliding, light aircraft flying) also enjoy a keen following. A good general website for sports information is 24 Hours Sport (www.24hoursport.co.uk ).
The leisure industry is big business and new sports facilities and complexes, including golf clubs, yacht marinas, indoor tennis clubs, dry-slope ski centres, health and fitness clubs and country clubs are sprouting up in all areas. They’re all part of a huge growth market which is expected to gain even greater momentum in the coming years, as more people retire early and have more time for leisure and sport (ironically, many people won’t be able to afford to retire at all). Many sports owe their popularity (and fortunes) to television (TV) and the increased TV coverage (and competition for TV rights) generated by the proliferation of cable and satellite TV stations. Professional and amateur sports have benefited hugely in recent years from the increase in the commercial sponsorship of individual events, teams, and league competitions.
The vast majority of sports facilities are ‘pay-as-you-play’, which means you don’t need to join a club or enrol in a course to use them, although there are also many private clubs you can join by paying an annual membership fee. Participation in most sports is inexpensive and most towns have a community sports or leisure centre, financed and run by the council. District, borough and county councils publish free directories of clubs in their area and regional sports councils provide information about local activities. Most higher educational establishments and many large companies provide extensive sports facilities for students or employees, usually for a nominal fee, and many state schools have extensive sports facilities (which may be open to the public during evenings, weekends and holiday periods). Some organisations such as the YMCA and YWCA allow members to use their sports facilities at any time, on payment of a weekly, monthly or annual fee, and many clubs have cheap rates for those under 18 or students.
In contrast to the extensive and often excellent sports facilities for competitors, facilities for spectators often leave more to be desired. It’s only in the last decade that major soccer stadia have left a primitive past behind in which most spectators were expected to stand on the ‘terraces’, with no protection from the cold and rain. Following a number of tragedies, soccer clubs were obliged (for safety reasons) to convert these to all-seat stadia, many of which are among Europe’s best.
*English Couch Patatoes
Despite the excellent sports facilities and the estimate that over 25 million people over the age of 13 regularly participate in sport and exercise, around half the population takes none at all (apart from strolling to the local pub and staggering back). Participation in many sports is the reserve of an elite group with everyone else relegated to the role of spectators (or TV couch potatoes). Sports participation for the young isn’t helped by the government, which spent years trying to reduce the amount of time devoted to it in state schools. Lottery money certainly helped the English Institute of Sport (www.eis2win.co.uk ), which now has a web of centres around the country, but it seems more dedicated to producing winners than spreading the ethos of the game for the game’s sake.
Perhaps the inert majority have been listening to the statisticians, who estimate that you’re up to 17 times more likely to drop dead playing sport than reading a book, although if you exercise regularly you’re actually 20 times less likely to drop dead so early. Sports injuries are estimated to cost the economy some 7.5m lost working days a year, most occurring in rugby, soccer, hockey, cricket and martial arts. If you injure yourself, there are sports injury clinics in most towns and sports physiotherapists in most sports centres. In addition to sports with an obvious element of danger (such as most aerial sports and mountaineering), many other sports (including most winter sports, power boat racing, waterski jumping, show-jumping and pot-holing) may not be covered by your health, accident or life insurance policies. Always check in advance and take out special insurance where necessary.
Sports results are given on the television teletext information service and published widely in daily newspapers. The Sunday broadsheet newspapers provide comprehensive cover and a nationwide results service (particularly for soccer and rugby). Numerous magazines are published for all sports, from angling to yachting, most of which are available (or can be ordered) from any newsagent. For information about sports facilities, contact Sports England, Third Floor, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4SE (0845-850 8508, www.sportengland.org ). The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR), Francis House, Francis Street, London SW1P 1DE (020-7976 3901, www.ccpr.org.uk ) is the national association of governing bodies of sport and recreation in the UK. The names and addresses of sports associations and federations can be obtained from Sports England or the CCPR.
http://www.justlanded.com/english/UK/Articles/Travel-Leisure/Sports
*Implementation and comparisons
Universal health care systems vary according to the extent of government involvement in providing care and/or health insurance. In some countries, such as the UK, Spain, Italy and the Nordic countries, the government has a high degree of involvement in the commissioning or delivery of health care services and access is based on residence rights not on the purchase of insurance. Others have a much more pluralistic delivery system based on obligatory health with contributory insurance rates related to salaries or income, and usually funded by employers and beneficiaries jointly. Sometimes the health funds are derived from a mixture of insurance premiums and government taxes. These insurance based systems tend to have a higher proportion of private medical providers obtaining reimbursement, often at heavily regulated rates, through mutual or publicly owned medical insurers. A few countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland operate via privately owned but heavily regulated private insurers. The compulsory insurance systems of central and eastern Europe typically fail to provide truly universal coverage, leaving up to 3% of their population without coverage. They often operate as two-tier systems and also fail to guarantee fee reimbursement due to means testing of sickness funds.
Universal health care is a broad concept that has been implemented in several ways. The common denominator for all such programs is some form of government action aimed at extending access to health care as widely as possible and setting minimum standards. Most implement universal health care through legislation, regulation and taxation. Legislation and regulation direct what care must be provided, to whom, and on what basis. Usually some costs are borne by the patient at the time of consumption but the bulk of costs come from a combination of compulsory insurance and tax revenues. Some programs are paid for entirely out of tax revenues. In others tax revenues are used either to fund insurance for the very poor or for those needing long term chronic care.
The UK government's National Audit Office in 2003 published an international comparison of ten different health care systems in ten developed countries, nine universal systems against one non-universal system (the U.S.), and their relative costs and key health outcomes. A wider international comparison of 16 countries, each with universal health care, was published by the World Health Organization in 2004. In some cases, government involvement also includes directly managing the health care system, but many countries use mixed public-private systems to deliver universal health care.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care
*Funding Models
Universal health care in most countries has been achieved by a mixed model of funding. General taxation revenue is the primary source of funding, but in many countries it is supplemented by specific levies (which may be charged to the individual and/or an employer) or with the option of private payments (either direct or via optional insurance) for services beyond that covered by the public system.
Almost all European systems are financed through a mix of public and private contributions. The majority of universal health care systems are funded primarily by tax revenue (e.g. Portugal and Spain). Some nations, such as Germany, France and Japan employ a multi-payer system in which health care is funded by private and public contributions. However, much of the non-government funding is by defined contributions by employers and employees to regulated non-profit sickness funds. These contributions are compulsory and vary according to a person's salary, and are effectively a form of hypothecated taxation.
A distinction is also made between municipal and national healthcare funding. For example, one model is that the bulk of the healthcare is funded by the municipality, speciality healthcare is provided and possibly funded by a larger entity, such as a municipal co-operation board or the state, and the medications are paid by a state agency.Universal health care systems are modestly redistributive. Progressivity of health care financing has limited implications for overall income inequality.
*Compulsory Insurance
This is usually enforced via legislation requiring residents to purchase insurance, though sometimes, in effect, the government provides the insurance. Sometimes there may be a choice of multiple public and private funds providing a standard service (e.g. as in Germany) or sometimes just a single public fund (as in Canada).
In some European countries where there is private insurance and universal health care, such as Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands, the problem of adverse selection (see Private insurance below) is overcome using a risk compensation pool to equalize, as far as possible, the risks between funds. Thus a fund with a predominantly healthy, younger population has to pay into a compensation pool and a fund with an older and predominantly less healthy populat would receive funds from the pool. In this way, sickness funds compete on price and there is no advantage to eliminate people with higher risks because they are compensated for by means of risk-adjusted capitation payments. Funds are not allowed to pick and choose their policyholders or deny coverage, but then mainly compete on price and service. In some countries the basic coverage level is set by the government and cannot be modified.
Ireland at one time had a "community rating" system through VHI, effectively a single-payer or common risk pool. The government later opened VHI to competition but without a compensation pool. This resulted in foreign insurance companies entering the Irish market and offering cheap health insurance to relatively healthy segments of the market which then made higher profits at VHI's expense. The government later re-introduced community rating through a pooling arrangement and at least one main major insurance company, BUPA, then withdrew from the Irish market.
*Private Insurance
This article may be inaccurate in or unbalanced towards certain viewpoints. Please improve the article by adding information on neglected viewpoints, or discuss the issue on the talk page. (June 2009)
In some countries with universal coverage, private insurance often excludes many health conditions which are expensive and which the state health care system can provide. For example in the UK, one of the largest private health care providers is BUPA which has the following list of general exclusions. Dental/oral treatment (such as fillings, gum disease, jaw shrinkage, etc)†; pregnancy and childbirth†; temporary relief of symptoms†; convalescence, rehabilitation and general nursing care†; drugs and dressings for out-patient or take-home use†; screening and preventive treatment; birth control, conception, sexual problems and sex changes†; allergies or allergic disorders; chronic conditions†; eyesight†; physical aids and devices†; *deafness; cosmetic, reconstructive or weight loss treatment† ; ageing, menopause and puberty ; dialysis† ; complications from excluded or restricted conditions/ treatment ; HRT and bone densitometry†; learning difficulties, behavioural and developmental problems ; overseas treatment and repatriation ; AIDS/HIV† ; pre-existing or special conditions ; experimental drugs and treatment† ; sleep problems and disorders ; speech disorders†.all of which (except overseas repatriation) are available for free or very low cost from the NHS. († indicates that treatment may be provided in certain circumstances)
Where voluntary insurance (often private) is predominant, such as in the U.S., medical (health) insurance is subject to the well-known economic problem of adverse selection which may also be referred to as a market failure. Adverse selection in insurance markets occurs because those providing insurance have limited information with which to estimate the health risks on which they may need to pay future claims. In simple terms, those with poor health are more likely to apply for insurance and more likely to need treatments requiring high insurance company payouts. Those with good health may find the cost of insurance too high for the perceived benefit, and some will remove themselves from the risk pool. This adverse selection concentrates the risk pool, thereby further raising costs. In practical terms, the potential for adverse selection means that private insurers have an economic incentive to use medical underwriting to 'weed out' high cost applicants in order to avoid adverse selection. Among the potential solutions posited by economists are single payer systems as well as other methods of ensuring that health insurance is universal, such as by requiring all citizens to purchase insurance and limiting the ability of insurance companies to deny insurance to individuals or vary price between individuals.
http://www.uksport.gou.uk/news/837/
2.Participating Sports
a.UK SPORT AND SPORT ENGLAND
have released new research showing that the number of people participating in sport in England is likely to fall by almost a million by 2026, unless positive action is taken to address the situation. This study echoes the recent call by the British Heart Foundation for the Government to address the growing levels of inactivity in adults and children, which is making the UK a "couch potato society".
The latest figures are part of a new report - Participation In Sport, Past Trends And Future Prospects – published by UK Sport and Sport England. Using population projections for different age groups over the next 30 years (2006, 2016 and 2026), the research estimates how many people will be taking part in sport in the future.
The data shows that if participation rates follow the same trends as they did between 1990 and 1996 for adults, and between 1994 and 1999, for young people, by 2026 the number of sports participants in England will have fallen by 0.9 million – a decrease in the overall participation rate from 52.5% to 46.3%.
As well as predicting levels of participation in England, the research also includes projections on adult participation in Great Britain as a whole where similar trends were evident.
-SIR RODNEY WALKER, Chairman of UK Sport, said: "It is only by undertaking such research that we can focus our efforts on the issues that really matter. This publication is an essential tool in helping us plan for the future, to make a real difference in improving British lifestyles and increasing achievement in sport.
"If we can ensure that the success achieved at the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games is repeated in Athens and beyond, future generations will continue to want to emulate their sporting heroes."
Trevor Brooking, Chair of Sport England, the country’s leading sports development agency and distributor of Lottery funds to sport, said: "This is a worrying trend that has major implications for the health of our nation. I’m confident that we can help reverse this trend through the development of sport facilities, creating environments for adults and children to become more actively involved in sport. Our new initiatives will ensure that we are reaching the areas of greatest need, giving people an equal opportunity to participate in sport. Nevertheless, it is still vital that the Government, both central and local, places sport much higher on the nation’s agenda."
-RICHARD CABORN, the Minister for Sport, expressed his support, recognising that, "The growing prevalence of obesity across the population is a serious issue which needs to be tackled. Promoting and increasing opportunities for physical activity in the population is important in combating the prevalence of obesity, both in terms of prevention and treatment.
"I believe in 'getting them when they're young' - my Department has a target of raising the average time spent on sport and PE by 6 to 16 year olds to 9 hours per week by 2004. We are working closely with the Department of Health and the Treasury to produce a National Physical Activity Strategy to stop this trend in its tracks."
The report was also welcomed by Belinda Linden, Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, who said: "Inactivity is implicated in over a third of deaths from heart attacks, and worryingly, is on the increase. Any form of exercise, whether it be a brisk walk to the shops or participating in sports, can benefit the cardiovascular system, improve cholesterol levels and aid weight loss.
"Participating in physical activity with friends is a great way to stay motivated and also have fun, but more importantly, it is a great way to reduce the risk of getting heart disease."
Participation In Sport, Past Trends And Future Prospects will not only help Sport England and UK Sport, but it will also provide UK business professionals with an indication of new, potentially lucrative markets. With an ageing population, the publication has highlighted that sports such as bowls and golf are likely to be two major growth areas.
http://en.wiki.org/wiki/sport_in_the_UK
b.Major sports in the UK
experienced Sports facilities are generally excellent throughout the UK, whether you’re a novice or an competitor. Among the most popular sports are soccer (football), rugby (union and league rules), cricket, athletics, fishing, snooker, horse racing, motor racing, golf, archery, hiking, cycling, squash, badminton, tennis, swimming and skiing, an large number of which were British inventions.
Most water (sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing, yachting) and aerial sports (hang-gliding, parachuting, ballooning, gliding, light aircraft flying) also enjoy a keen following. A good general website for sports information is 24 Hours Sport (www.24hoursport.co.uk ).
The leisure industry is big business and new sports facilities and complexes, including golf clubs, yacht marinas, indoor tennis clubs, dry-slope ski centres, health and fitness clubs and country clubs are sprouting up in all areas. They’re all part of a huge growth market which is expected to gain even greater momentum in the coming years, as more people retire early and have more time for leisure and sport (ironically, many people won’t be able to afford to retire at all). Many sports owe their popularity (and fortunes) to television (TV) and the increased TV coverage (and competition for TV rights) generated by the proliferation of cable and satellite TV stations. Professional and amateur sports have benefited hugely in recent years from the increase in the commercial sponsorship of individual events, teams, and league competitions.
The vast majority of sports facilities are ‘pay-as-you-play’, which means you don’t need to join a club or enrol in a course to use them, although there are also many private clubs you can join by paying an annual membership fee. Participation in most sports is inexpensive and most towns have a community sports or leisure centre, financed and run by the council. District, borough and county councils publish free directories of clubs in their area and regional sports councils provide information about local activities. Most higher educational establishments and many large companies provide extensive sports facilities for students or employees, usually for a nominal fee, and many state schools have extensive sports facilities (which may be open to the public during evenings, weekends and holiday periods). Some organisations such as the YMCA and YWCA allow members to use their sports facilities at any time, on payment of a weekly, monthly or annual fee, and many clubs have cheap rates for those under 18 or students.
In contrast to the extensive and often excellent sports facilities for competitors, facilities for spectators often leave more to be desired. It’s only in the last decade that major soccer stadia have left a primitive past behind in which most spectators were expected to stand on the ‘terraces’, with no protection from the cold and rain. Following a number of tragedies, soccer clubs were obliged (for safety reasons) to convert these to all-seat stadia, many of which are among Europe’s best.
*English Couch Patatoes
Despite the excellent sports facilities and the estimate that over 25 million people over the age of 13 regularly participate in sport and exercise, around half the population takes none at all (apart from strolling to the local pub and staggering back). Participation in many sports is the reserve of an elite group with everyone else relegated to the role of spectators (or TV couch potatoes). Sports participation for the young isn’t helped by the government, which spent years trying to reduce the amount of time devoted to it in state schools. Lottery money certainly helped the English Institute of Sport (www.eis2win.co.uk ), which now has a web of centres around the country, but it seems more dedicated to producing winners than spreading the ethos of the game for the game’s sake.
Perhaps the inert majority have been listening to the statisticians, who estimate that you’re up to 17 times more likely to drop dead playing sport than reading a book, although if you exercise regularly you’re actually 20 times less likely to drop dead so early. Sports injuries are estimated to cost the economy some 7.5m lost working days a year, most occurring in rugby, soccer, hockey, cricket and martial arts. If you injure yourself, there are sports injury clinics in most towns and sports physiotherapists in most sports centres. In addition to sports with an obvious element of danger (such as most aerial sports and mountaineering), many other sports (including most winter sports, power boat racing, waterski jumping, show-jumping and pot-holing) may not be covered by your health, accident or life insurance policies. Always check in advance and take out special insurance where necessary.
Sports results are given on the television teletext information service and published widely in daily newspapers. The Sunday broadsheet newspapers provide comprehensive cover and a nationwide results service (particularly for soccer and rugby). Numerous magazines are published for all sports, from angling to yachting, most of which are available (or can be ordered) from any newsagent. For information about sports facilities, contact Sports England, Third Floor, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4SE (0845-850 8508, www.sportengland.org ). The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR), Francis House, Francis Street, London SW1P 1DE (020-7976 3901, www.ccpr.org.uk ) is the national association of governing bodies of sport and recreation in the UK. The names and addresses of sports associations and federations can be obtained from Sports England or the CCPR.
http://www.justlanded.com/english/UK/Articles/Travel-Leisure/Sports
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