BRITISH UNIVERSITY SPORT

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 708.

Text 4 D

Note the pronunciation: Beijing

1. What is the origin of British University sport?

The origin of British University sport can be traced back to the early 1900s when a small number of universities led by Manchester formed the UAU (Universities Athletic Union for England and Wales), a men-only organization. Later the WIVAB (Women's Inter Varsity Athletic Board for England and Wales) followed. The structure of UK University sport was determined by four home nations, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and was very complicated.

2. What kind of organization is BUSA?

In 1994 the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) was founded which is the key mechanism of the competitive and recreational student sport in the UK today. BUSA is an organization in which the student voice dominates in decision-making ^1. This gives young people an opportunity to gain experience in sport organization and management. BUSA is partnered by UCS (University and College Sport) which represents the professional sports management within the UK higher education.

3. What areas does the BUSA programme cover?

Membership in BUSA is open only to institutions of higher education. The General Council is the supreme governing authority. The Council meets two to three times a year. The Executive Board meets six times per year and is responsible for the ongoing work ² of the association. The BUSA programme is divided into the following areas: domestic team and individual championships, national championships, British University Games, BUSA competitions and international FISU and non-FISU sports events.

4. What are the benefits of the BUSA activities?

Wednesday afternoons are traditionally held free for sports and recreation in UK institutions. On the average 3300 teams take part in each Wednesday from October to March with 34000 students competing.

The real benefits of these activities began to show in 2000 when Britain won 48 medals in FISU Championships followed by 10 medals in Beijing in 2001, its best years to date.

Notes:

¹ …in decision-making – …при принятии решений.

² … for the ongoing work… - для текущей работы