The National Sports Council replaced the National Stadium Corporation on February 1, 1978 to facilitate the development of sports in Barbados, to develop, maintain and manage sporting facilities including all playing fields and the National Stadium, provided by the Government for public use and to administrate the funds of the Council, and all government allocated to sporting organizations.  

At its inception, in 1978, the National Sports Council was located at Blenheim, St. Michael having successively moved from the Sports Department, Bay Street and then Roseneath, Culloden Road. The National Sports Council formed a quasi government department under the Ministry of Education, Community Development and Sports with a staff complement of 63 and facilities including 20 hardcourts, 35 playing fields, 8 pavilions, in addition to the National/Netball stadia.    

The then Chairman was Mr. Randolph Fields with Mr. Keith Ashby as the Director.  Seven disciplines were coached at the primary school level including Netball, Cricket, Football, Lawn Tennis Athletics, Bodybuilding and Swimming. 

Over the years due to the overall development of Barbados, the Sports Council has grown to a staff complement of two hundred and sixty-seven (267) employees.  Facilities have expanded due to a growing population and demand for community sports with hardcourts numbered at 62, playing fields 97 and pavilions 46. Coaching disciplines has expanded to 15 in both Primary and Secondary Schools. Disciplines now include the following:­

Cricket; Football; Hockey;  Volleyball; Road Tennis; Netball; Athletics; Cycling; Boxing; Bodybuilding; Basketball; Badminton; Swimming; Table Tennis; Chess; and Tennis.

Further, the former administration had taken the unprecedented step of contracting eight (8) Cuban coaches, through a bilateral agreement  in various disciplines to develop talented athletes in Barbados.

In addition to hosting and organizing many prestigious events such as CARIFTA Games, International Cycling, Barbados Hockey Festival, International Night Cricket and Wrestling, many outstanding athletes have been coached though the National Sports Council programs.  Some of these athletes are Barry Forde, Andrea Blackett, Wilan Louis, Leah Martindale, Victor Houston and Barbados' first individual Olympic bronze medallist, Obadele Thompson.

Several international cricket and netball teams especially from the United Kingdom have used our playing fields and hardcourt facilities, emphasizing the National Sports Council contribution to the social and economic wealth of Barbados.

The National Sports Council has sought to continue the trend by helping to develop and internationalize the indigenous sport of Road Tennis in addition to contributing to the eradication of drugs in sports through the National Anti-Doping Commission (NADC).