Lesson 26. Section 1. Sport in Britain.

Interest in sport in Britain is widespread, as it indicated by the huge crowds which attend such occasions as the Football Association Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, international rugby matches at Twickenham, Murrayfield or Cardiff Arms Park, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships and so on. Not only do millions watch these matches on television, but there is also growing enthusiasm for active participation in sport and recreation in the country as a whole.

People find them have more free time on their hands nowadays, so there is a duty on the part of government to make opportunities and facilities available. Apart from the professional side of it, these is increasing enthusiasm for amateur sport, which has led to a growth in interest in climbing, rambling, boating and other water-based sports, as well as keep fit, and movement and dance activities.

Probably the most popular spectator sport is Association Football, which dates back to the 19th century and is controlled by separate football associations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are well over 400 clubs affiliated to the English football associations or FA and some 37,000 clubs to regional or district associations.

The main clubs in England and Wales belong to the Football League, 92 in all, and the 38 Scottish clubs belong to the Scottish League. They play in four divisions in England and three in Scotland. During the football season, attendances total some 27 million.

Local authorities provide facilities to cater for a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, these include such things as golf-courses, swimming pools and leisure centers. Total expenditure in the country as a whole on sport and outdoor recreation came to well over 500 million pounds last year.