Army Sport Control Board Charter

The Army Sport Control Board (ASCB) was formed on 18 November 1918 by order of the Army Council (ACI 1299). The Territorial Army Sport Board (TASB) was formed in February 1948 and was affiliated to the ASCB. On 1 April 2011, the Territorial Army was renamed the Army Reserve (AR) and the ASCB and TASB merged to form one integrated Sports Board known as the ASCB. This Charter supersedes all previous Charters. The policy for Sport in the Army is the responsibility of Army Training Branch, which is contained in AGAI Volume 1 Chapter 5 ‘Sport’.

To promote and deliver sport within the Army ensuring that participation in sport returns to being a significant element of the Army offer for both recruiting and retention and that sport is promoted to link with society in order to enhance the Army’s national reputation.

The ASCB has 2 separate legal identities:

• ASCB.  The ASCB is formed by a Board of military members (see Constitution at paragraph 4) supported by a civilian executive Secretariat which is partly funded by a MoD Grant in Aid. The Board is
  responsible for the conduct and governance of sport in the Army, including the AR.  The ASCB reports to the Executive Committee of the Army Board (ECAB) through the Commander Home Command who is President of the ASCB.  The ASCB’s policy sponsor branch is Individual Development Branch in Army HQ.
• ASCB Charitable Fund.  The ASCB Charitable Fund (ASCB CF) is an independent Charity (No 1123854) which is responsible for the custody of ASCB non-public assets and the generation of non-public income for the wellbeing and development of sport in the Army. The ASCB CF Trustees report to the Charity Commission. The objects of the ASCB CF are set out below.

The ASCB is formed by:

The Trustees of the ASCB CF are formed by the representatives at paragraph 4 and are advised by independent civilian Financial Advisor, Mr David Rowe. The Board and the Trustees meet three times per year, normally in May, July and December.

The ASCB is assisted by the ASCB Steering Committee which meets quarterly and is formed by:

The Board carries out the following duties subject to the overriding control of ECAB:

• Support the development of sport and sports facilities in the Army in order to contribute to operational capability.
• Govern the ASCB’s Sports Associations and Unions, providing them with funding to administer their respective sports in accordance with National Governing Body (NGB) rules and regulations.
• Authorise and coordinate sports competitions and events, in particular the authorisation of public funding for entitled representational sports travel.
• Generate non-public funds through the ASCB’s Army Sports Lottery (ASL), civilian sponsorship and the allocation of grants for sports activity and sports facilities.
• Publish instructions and pamphlets that will assist in the efficient organisation and administration of sports in the Army.
• Advise on the funding, provision and maintenance of sports equipment and facilities in cooperation with other Army and Service grant making bodies.
• Maintain close links with: the RN and RAF Sports Boards, the United Kingdom Armed Forces Sports Board, UK Sport, and the Sport and Recreation Alliance. Liaise when necessary with the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations and sports representatives of Allied, Commonwealth and Foreign Armies.
• Promote Army sport through the Services internal media organisations.
• Support Army Training staff on the development of sport policy and instructions.
• Administer and account for public and non-public funds under its control which are for the benefit of sport in the Army.
• Advise and supervise on the provision and control of civilian sponsorship including the monitoring of the contract for provision of professional advice from Mongoose Sport & Entertainment.

The ASCB administers a separate Charitable Fund (Charity No: 1123854) which is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.  The Charitable Fund holds its own assets (investments and some land) and generates an income. The Charitable Fund allocates grants in support of sport in the Army with the following objects:

1. The promotion of the efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown, and in particular the British Army (including its auxiliary and reserve forces), by such charitable means as the trustees shall think fit including but not limited to raising physical fitness, fostering esprit de corps and enhancing morale through participation in sports and adventure training.
2. The advancement of any charitable purpose benefiting serving and former serving personnel of the British Army (including its auxiliary and reserve forces), and the dependants of such persons.
3. The support and encouragement of the Army Cadet Force and Army contingents of the Combined Cadet Force by such charitable means as the trustees think fit, including but not limited to the promotion of the physical fitness, development and training of its members.