What Is CIMSPA?

The subject of today’s blog is CIMSPA – the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.

CIMSPA is a UK-based professional development body that aims to offer a single voice within its sector, providing leadership, support and empowerment for industry professionals and groups, from gym instructors, personal trainers and fitness experts to swimming pool attendants and sports centre managers.

WHAT DOES CIMSPA DO?

Its long-term strategic priorities are:

• To provide opportunities for young leaders to develop and succeed
• To provide leadership on the development and management of career pathways

CIMSPA also runs conferences: in March this year a joint conference with Quest NBS at Chesford Grange in Warwickshire attracted more than 450 industry professionals. Discussion subjects included:

• The positive payoff of investing in staff skills and training
• The business case for diversity
• Living with the levy
• The skills agenda
• CIMSPA labour market intelligence report / introducing CIMSPA eLearning
• Measuring the impact of investing in quality
  

More information on the sessions held at the conference can be found at: www.cimspa-conference.org.

CIMSPA is also currently developing a new Register of consultants and consultancies, which is being managed by Leisure-net. This means anyone with a REP’s accredited (Register of Exercise Professional’s) or CIMSPA accredited Gym Instructor qualification or Personal Trainer qualification, or anyone who has completed some Health and fitness Training that is accredited by REP’s or CIMSPA, can join the register.

WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF CIMSPA?

CIMSPA was launched in April 2011 after the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) merged with the Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure (ISPAL). However, its origins go back as far as 1921, to the Association of Baths Superintendents.

At the start of 2012, CIMSPA was awarded chartered status by the Privy Council. It currently operates out of six regional branches: Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Midlands, North and South, with its headquarters at Loughborough University in Leicestershire.

WHO CAN JOIN?

There are a range of member categories on offer for individuals such as personal trainers, including student, practitioner (exercise & fitness), member and chartered member. The CIMSPA professional staff can advise those wishing to join of the most appropriate category for them.

For organisations, the options are:

• Employer partner
• Skills development partner
• Higher and further education partner
• Awarding organisation partner
• Registered supplier

Membership benefits include professional development through a range of tools, which can be achieved through online and in-person support. Membership also opens up opportunities for meeting and engaging with other members, and sharing best practice.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

Visit the CIMSPA website: www.cimspa.co.uk or contact the Membership team on 01509 226 474.

After your application has been sent in, you will either be accepted as a member or asked to send in further information.

You can progress to other membership categories at a later stage, eg chartered membership or fellowship. If you are new to the sector, you may be placed into the student or affiliate categories, and you can progress from there.