CIMSPA Urges Government Support

Sean Holt, CEO of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has urged the UK government to help raise standards within the industry, following a £500 million cash injection into UK sport.

Speaking on BBC News recently, David Cameron announced that the boost for UK sport would be over the next four years to maintain Olympic sports at the same level before the 2016 Games in Rio.

UK Sport, the body that distributes money to Olympic and Paralympic sports, will receive £125 million per year.

Cameron said that the decision was to provide £125 million every year until 2016 aimed “to reward the success of the UK’s outstanding elite sport system” following the British team’s success at the London Games.

The Prime Minister also highlighted last week the need to introduce “more competitiveness” within schools across the UK to bring about a lasting sporting legacy.

“CIMSPA welcomes the announcement from David Cameron confirming that funding is secure for the sporting infrastructure in the run-up to Rio,” said Holt.

“We will be asking Government to ensure that the education and professional development of the sport and physical activity workforce is at the forefront of investment proposals. Without investment in the workforce – to raise standards of achievement – the much talked about continuation of elite sporting success and the competitive school agendas will not be achieved.”

Holt added that “those who work behind the scenes, the unsung heroes who made Team GB medals a reality, should not be overlooked in terms of workforce development.”

“It is the David Brailsford’s of the world who know what it took to get it so right at these games and we need his generation to educate the up and coming sporting administrators to ensure that their knowledge and experience is passed on.” 

The Prime Minister also announced on the closing day of the London Olympics that he will appoint Lord Seb Coe as his Olympic legacy adviser.

Coe, chair of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee who led the bid for the London Games, will advise the prime minister on the best way to secure long-term benefits for the UK. 

“Thankfully, as a great supporter and Companion of the chartered institute, Lord Seb Coe will no doubt have the issue of workforce development already in his sights,” added Holt.

“The bottom line is that CIMSPA, the chartered body created specifically to drive sustainable Olympic legacy within the workforce, is ready to take over the professional development baton to ensure that our sporting workforce keep up the good work.”

About CIMSPA

1. Launched in April 2011, CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.
2. The new Institute was formed, following pressure from Government, for the sports industry to merge and streamline existing workforce development bodies to create one single professional development body to represent the entire sport and physical activity sector.
3. CIMSPA provides leadership, professional development and a single unified voice for the sector. It also aims to drive standards of professional practice, which in turn will support increased participation, outcomes and contribution to UK plc.
4. CIMSPA was awarded Chartership status by the Royal Privy Council in January 2012, creating the first Chartered professional body for the sport and physical activity workforce.
5. CIMSPA is entirely self funded from membership fees and professional development training courses and to date has not received any grant funding or Government subsidy.
6. The title of the Chartered Institute reflects the need to support not just those working within sport and ‘formal’ sporting environments but those working in physical activity disciplines including health and community workers.
7. The Chairman of CIMSPA is Miles Templeman – former Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and current Non Executive Director of the RFU.
8. In May 2012, the CIMSPA Rising Talent programme was launched to cater for the 30% of the 1 million workforce (ref SkillActive) who are under 30 years of age.
9. In August 2011, Sebastian Coe was awarded the position of Companion of CIMSPA in recognition of his significant contribution to the sports and physical activity sector.  In acceptance of the award, Lord Coe said, “I am  honoured to become a companion of CIMSPA, which marks a real milestone for the sports and physical activity sector in the UK.  By bringing together the skills and expertise of everyone in the industry, we will be in an incredibly strong position to ensure that the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be felt throughout the UK for many years to come.”