It is completely independent of any form of government control, has no responsibility for allocating funds, is strictly non-party and will support or oppose proposed measures only on the basis of their perceived value to sport and recreation.
The members are divided by activity type into one of six divisions, covering Major Spectator Sports, Outdoor Pursuits, Movement and Dance, Water Recreation and Interested Organisations.
The need and vision for such a body was seen by its founder Phyllis Colson "great woman who left an ineradicable mark upon the development of physical recreation in this country".
During WW2 the alliance employed Eileen Fowler to improve the fitness of workers as she toured across the country conducting group physical training.
After the war and Fowler's marriage the Central Council of Physical Recreation again employed her and this resulted in 200 women providing a show at an F.A.