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New resources to help improve sports governance

We've partnered with the Chartered Governance Institute on a new project, while CIMSPA and UK Coaching combine their exercise professional registers.

27th February 2020

The organisations we fund are set to get a helping hand in improving their governance when a new Sports Governance Academy (SGA) launches in April.

Designed to support, develop and connect people working in the sport and physical activity sector, the SGA will be a hub for those with an interest in governance.

It comes from a partnership between us and the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) and will see a free set of assets made available to all, with additional resources such as training courses offering CIMSPA-recognised (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) accreditation, dedicated networking events and an annual conference on offer to Sport England and UK Sport-funded organisations.

Hillingdon Slipstreamers coaches in a discussion

Speaking at the CIMSPA and Quest NBS conference in Derby today, our chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said he was proud of the partnership with CGI and the work it's produced.

“Sport England’s role is to support and enable organisations across the sports sector to be the best that they can be and fulfil their potential to transform lives, people and places for the better,” he said.

“This important support hub will equip people in the sports and physical activity sector grappling with governance, with resources, training and access to a thriving network of like-minded individuals.

“Ultimately it will help all those leading, working and volunteering in sports organisations to embed good governance at all levels, enhance performance and achieve their goals.

“We’re delighted also with the support that CIMSPA is providing by accrediting the training courses that the Academy will be running.”

 

Ultimately it will help all those leading, working and volunteering in sports organisations to embed good governance at all levels

Tim Hollingsworth

Sport England chief executive

The free ‘knowledge base’ will provide resources for raising governance standards such as guidance, template documents, webinars and blogs.

And Sara Drake, the CGI’s chief executive, said this partnership provides the ideal opportunity for those working and volunteering in the sector to improve how their organisations operate.

“Effective governance contributes to the success of all organisations and the SGA has been established to provide the tools necessary for people to drive that success,” she said.

“Sport enjoys a special place in many people’s hearts and providing organisations funded by Sport England or UK Sport and the wider sector with the tools to improve their governance will help build a successful and sustainable sector.”

Find out more about the SGA

Exercise professionals registers to merge

Also announced at the conference today was a partnership between CIMSPA and UK Coaching to combine their respective directories of exercise and fitness professionals.

Currently, UK Coaching operate the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), while CIMSPA have their own Exercise and Fitness Directory.

But the new initiative will combine the two, offering a unified recognition system for people working in the sector and a single endorsement mechanism for training providers.

A single directory for the professionals working in our sector will enhance our ability to provide skills, training, recognition and career development

Tim Hollingsworth

Our chief executive

The new directory will be hosted and managed by CIMSPA, with all current REPs members being given the opportunity to transfer into the new membership scheme.

The new solution will come into effect in the coming months, and realise elements of the government’s Sporting Future strategy from 2015, as well as our own from the following year.

“We welcome this important milestone towards building a unified and excellent sport and physical activity workforce,” added Tim.

“A single directory for the professionals working in our sector will enhance our ability to provide skills, training, recognition and career development.

“This in turn will empower the workforce to deliver even more positive experiences for everyone seeking to be active in communities right across the country.

“I would like to thank both CIMSPA and UK Coaching for how they have worked towards this and congratulate them on agreeing this partnership.”

Ahead of the new directory launching, all members of either register are advised to renew with their respective membership body as normal.

As part of the partnership, UK Coaching will provide CIMSPA fitness and coaching members with access to their online learning and developing platform.

For more information about the current directories, visit their relevant websites.

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