Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), formerly known as the Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA), is the professional body for the United Kingdom's sport and physical activity sector. Based at Loughborough University, it has partnerships with key sporting organisations across the United Kingdom. It is recognised and partnered with Sport England[1] and Sportscotland.[2] It awards chartered status ('Chartered Member' and 'Chartered Fellow') to qualified professionals.
 | |
| Formerly | Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Chartered Institute |
| Industry | Sport and Physical Activity |
| Predecessor | Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM), Institute for Sport, Parks, and Leisure (ISPAL), Institute for Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) |
| Founded | Royal charter sealed in 2011 |
| Headquarters | SportPark, Loughborough University, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire, East Midlands , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Marc Woods (Chairperson) |
| Services | Chartered status, membership, organisational partnerships, qualification endorsement, professional standards, continuing professional development (CPD), sector guidance including COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Members | 18,000+ (August 2022) |
| Website | https://www.cimspa.co.uk/ |
CIMSPA's goals are to establish a new set of professional standards for the sport and physical activity sector, develop an endorsement programme for awarding organisations and training providers, and have the workforce be actively engaged in CIMSPA-accredited continuing professional development.[3]
CIMSPA was formed in 2012 when the IMSPA was awarded a royal charter.[4] Their predecessors are the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM), Institute for Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) and later Institute for Sport, Parks, and Leisure (ISPAL).[5]
S&PA Professional is the official publication of CIMSPA. The quarterly magazine offers a mix of topical content, including in-depth features, debate on crucial industry issues, training, education and research updates in addition to relevant industry news.[6]
Membership
editCIMSPA operates membership pathways for a variety of people working in sport and physical activity.
- Affiliate – For those who have an interest in the sector.[7]
- Student – For individuals who are starting their career in the sector.[8]
- Graduate – Prepares individuals for a smooth transition to the workplace.[9]
- Practitioner – Membership for personal trainers, gym and group exercise instructors, strength and conditioning professionals, swimming teachers, activity coaches, frontline leisure staff and yoga, pilates and wellness practitioners.[10]
- Management – Membership for existing and aspiring managers.[11]
Chartered status is awarded to qualified professionals who have significant achievements within the sport and physical activity sector.[12]
Activities
editRegister of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
editOn 27 February 2020 Sport England CEO, Tim Hollingsworth, announced at the CIMSPA and Quest NBS Conference that CIMSPA and UK Coaching signed a deal to combine the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) with the CIMSPA Exercise and Fitness Directory to create a single directory for all exercise and fitness professionals.[13] This is the first time that the entire workforce within sport and physical activity have had a single professional body to represent them.
COVID-19 pandemic
editDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, CIMSPA launched a digital hub to support the sport and physical activity sector. The hub, located on the CIMSPA website, brought together information, advice and practical support for all those working in sport and physical activity who were impacted by the crisis and is freely available to anyone working in the sector.[14] Later in the pandemic, CIMSPA launched ReTrain to Retain which offered support for ~50,000 sport and physical activity professionals and volunteers who’ve had to find work outside the sector or had their hours reduced.[15]
Digital Marketing Hub
editAt the end of September 2021, CIMSPA partnered with tech giant Google and British fitness coach, TV presenter, social media personality and author Joe Wicks to launch the Digital Marketing Hub for sport and physical activity. Supported with National Lottery (United Kingdom) and Sport England funding, and powered by content from the Digital Marketing Institute, The CIMSPA Digital Marketing Hub was made to help people and organisations improve how they apply digital marketing tools and techniques, to encourage more people to play sport and be active.[16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "New funding to transform sector | Sport England". www.sportengland.org. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "Playing our part 2019" (PDF). sportscotland. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "Working in an active nation" (PDF). Sport England. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "List of Charters Granted". Privy Council. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "New national institute to be based at SportPark". www.lboro.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "S&PA Professional magazine Winter 2018/2019". Issuu. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ "Affiliate membership". CIMSPA. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Students and graduates". CIMSPA. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Students and graduates". CIMSPA. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Sport and physical activity practitioner". CIMSPA. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Management professionals". CIMSPA. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Chartered status". CIMSPA. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Feb 2020, Tom Walker 27 (27 February 2020). "CIMSPA strikes REPs deal to create a single directory for fitness professionals | Leisure Opportunities news". www.leisureopportunities.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "'Stronger Together' - CIMSPA Launches Digital Hub to Support the Sector During the Coronavirus Crisis". Personal Trainer Today. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ Walker, Tom (19 May 2021). "Retrain to Retain job retention scheme to help 25,000 fitness and sports professionals after tough year | Leisure Opportunities news". www.leisureopportunities.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ Walker, Tom (15 September 2021). "CIMSPA partners with Google and Joe Wicks on digital marketing hub | Leisure Opportunities news". www.leisureopportunities.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2022.