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Fit for Sport is introducing the UK’s first accreditation scheme for organisations working with young people youth engagement zone


Leading the new Youth Engagement Zone at LIW this September, Fit for Sport – in partnership with COMPASS – is introducing the UK’s first accreditation scheme for leisure organisations and professionals working with schools and young people. Fit for Sport believes it’s vital that the


leisure industry gets to the heart of what engages children, to help drive innovation and develop sustainable offerings for the youth market. Operations director Craig Jones comments: “To date, many innovations coming out of the youth sports market have been developed and driven by adults. It’s imperative that we start listening to our youth audience to develop physical exercise programmes and solutions that excite them.” Following the Start Active, Stay Active


report on physical activity for health released by the Department of Health in July, Jones advocates that the key to a successful and sustainable youth sport engagement programme lies in the strong partnership between innovative solutions providers and the passionate coaches and instructors employed to deliver the programme. He continues: “Children are


surrounded daily by the latest consumer technologies such as games consoles and


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the internet, so to get them off of the sofa and taking part in physical activities, these activities must be both fun and led by inspiring people. To help achieve this, LIW brings together best-of-breed solutions and top professionals from across the leisure industry, providing the perfect catalyst for renewed innovation in the youth sports sector.”


new income streams In this time of austerity, it’s more vital than ever that leisure centres and organisations are at the forefront of youth sports innovation and best practice to help improve profitability through secondary revenue spend. For example, many leisure centres could lease spaces that sit empty throughout the day to local schools, or even to host children’s birthday parties. Many proactive leisure organisations are also driving secondary spend by hosting health days for local schools or sending their experts out into the local community to talk about the importance of fitness and health – in school assemblies, for example. Meanwhile, Fit for Sport’s recent study


revealed that two of the most popular physical activities children undertake with their families are swimming and the Nintendo Wii. Jones comments: “As an industry, we must embrace ‘pester power’ and reach out to our youth


Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital


audience to understand what excites them. This will be a key aim in the Youth Engagement Zone at this year’s LIW.” Balanceability will also demonstrate


its new activity programme designed to encourage all children between the ages of two and six years to develop the confi dence, ability and skills to enjoy riding a bicycle without stabilisers. The programmes are developed by professionally qualifi ed instructors, with each session constructed around games, challenges and new experiences that are proven to achieve desired objectives. Children who have never previously ridden a bicycle are able to progress step-by-step and experience a variety of developmental exercises, skills and confi dence building situations. Jones concludes: “The Youth


Engagement Zone at LIW will offer a fantastic opportunity to see how to engage children in physical activity. There will be demonstrations including children’s activities, ways to engage young people in the community, and products to support children’s programmes within leisure facilities, health clubs, schools and sports development. We will also be highlighting some of the good practice that’s currently being delivered across the sector.”


healthclub@leisuremedia.com laura dagg


september 2011 © cybertrek 2011


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