Sub-series consists of early central registry files from the "200 Block." The sub-series includes operational records used to support the new Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate's mandate of encouraging both participation and proficiency in competitive and non-competitive sports, as well as the promotion of physical fitness activities and research. Some files in the first few volumes contain information for annual reports, as well as staffing, finances, and legislation.
Other blocks of note include the 214 block on provincial grants. Material in these files consists of memoranda and correspondence dealing with granting policy, particularly in the early years of Fitness and Amateur Sport when granting agreements were worked out with the provinces, and copies of the draft agreements. A large block of material exists on the subject of national and international games and competitions, such as the Cross Canada Sports Demonstration (six well-known Canadian athletes led by sprinter Harry Jerome on a cross-Canada tour to demonstrate their particular sports and encourage participation in amateur sport).
In the 215 block the researcher will find many files relating to Canadian attempts to secure a bid to host Olympic Games (Banff for the Winter Games in 1968 and 1972; Montreal for the Summer Games of 1972 and 1976; and Vancouver/Garibaldi's attempt at the 1972 Winter Games). These files include such interesting items as minutes of the Interdepartmental Committee on the 1968 Winter Olympic Games (to determine the nature and extent of federal government involvement in these bids), a copy of Montreal's answers to the International Olympic Committee's site questionnaire, and material from External Affairs regarding international meetings on the Games' bids.
The 216 block contains grant files by association (i.e. Hockey Canada, the Canadian Amateur Swimming Association, the Canadian Amateur Football Association, the Canadian Amateur Athletic Association), or by specific research project. These files hold correspondence regarding the grants, minutes of organizing committee minutes, financial reports, copies of letters patent for the national sports associations, souvenir programmes, and other background information. Those files on specific projects also have form letters regarding the receipt of the application, form letters for rejection, project summaries, detailed outlines of proposed research, signed legal undertakings and supporting documentation for the application. There is also a large block of files containing unsuccessful applicants for the grant-in-aid programme for promising Canadian athletes.
These are the main operational records of the Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate from its inception in 1961 until the early 1970s when the system was replaced by the "7000 Series". They are a continuation of material found in the central registry files of the Physical Fitness Division, Welfare Branch, (RG29-1-b) . There is, however, a clear starting point for this arrangement, and that is the introduction of the Fitness and Amateur Sport Act of 1961. The majority of files date from that time and show no evidence of being converted from the earlier records of the Physical Fitness Division. The files are arranged in a block numeric fashion in the blocks 200 to 229 according to file classification manuals dating from 1966 and 1970.
