The National Bandy Association was the first English governing body for bandy, and actually the first bandy governing body anywhere in the world. The association was founded on February 9, 1891. The association was formed only a few weeks after the legendary clash between the Virginia Water Team and the Bury Fen Bandy Club, where the two sets of bandy rules published by the National Skating Association were evaluated side-by-side for the first time. It quickly became apparent that a governing body and unified set of rules were necessary.