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TRAININg IoD to offer training for sports directors


Directors of sporting organ- isations are being offered training in a tie-up between the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA). Te two-day course, Board


Skills for Sport, has been put together by Ryan Ahern, the IoD’s learning and develop- ment director. “Very often people come


into the industry because they are passionate about sport, but are not prepared for the boardroom,” explains Ahern. “Organisations are only as good as their lead- ers, so strategically leading the organisation should increase its performance.” Te IoD runs the first day and SRA the sec-


Te training is open to director-level staff of all sporting organisations


the board, understanding the financial health of the organisation and leading change. Te January course is already full and further


ond, to add some sport specific points. Te course covers matters such as strategy, tasks of


courses in June and November are filling up. Going forward, Ahern says it may offer a formal qualification. Details: http://lei.sr?a=e5X3N


Aquatic skills apprenticeship launches


A new government-funded apprenticeships scheme has been launched to tackle the shortage of aquatic personnel in the UK leisure industry. Te flagship initiative will


aim to create more skilled swimming teachers to ensure young people have the basic practical skills and theory to develop a career in the leisure industries. STA, one of the world’s


largest swim teaching and lifesaving organisations, has paired with UK training pro- vider ICON Training to offer the Level 2 aquatics training package. Te 12-month programme will cover swim-


Te scheme will look to tackle the shortage of aquatic personnel


ming teaching and lifeguarding and will be recognised by the Government’s Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). STA chief executive Roger Millward said leisure employers are increasingly relying on


apprenticeships to reduce staff turnover, fill skills gaps and talent-spot young professionals. “Tese apprenticeships provide ambitious


young people with the chance to work across the leisure sector; and ultimately it gives them a fantastic opportunity to pursue a rewarding career.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=s2j5Y


Archery GB reveals plans to establish regional academies


Archery GB has announced it will establish two Regional Performance Academies (RPAs) during 2013, one in the north and the other in the south of England. According to Archery GB, the RPAs will be vital in successfully delivering Archery GB’s talent identification and development


© CYBERTREK 2012


programme across the country, in order to develop talented young athletes and produce more ‘home-grown’ specialist coaches. Te RPA Programmes will be supported by


Sport England and represent the top of the Sport England Talent Pathway for archers.


Twitter: @leisureopps


2012 – a watershed year for SkillsActive


IAN TAYLOR is chief executive of SkillsActive


F


or me 2012 was a real watershed year. I was appointed CEO of SkillsActive in May and also had the pleasure of witnessing the first


home Olympic and Paralympic Games in more than 60 years. We celebrated the 10th anniversary of REPs, which this year grew at 6 per cent, and also announced the expan- sion of our successful registration model with the Register of Aquatic Professionals (RAPs). Trough all of what’s taken place this year, there is one thing that I’ve come to value more than anything else, and that is the importance of teamwork. SkillsActive hosted its own Olympic Party


to cheer on our 31 AASE athletes selected for Team GB. We were able to bring a whole host of individuals together, including our employer partners, our stakeholders, our board and many decision makers from the world of sport. It was also a great oppor- tunity for the new chair Peter Rowley and myself to become more familiar with every- one in the business. Tere was of course our official announce-


ment of the Register of Aquatic Professionals at the House of Commons attended by our partners the STA, the ASA and the RLSS plus our special guests Rebecca Adlington, Steve Parry and Duncan Goodhew. We are always striving to increase sports


participation so it was a pleasure to learn from recent Sport England figures that a record 15.5 million people over the age of 16 are playing sport once a week, which is an increase of 750,000 from this time last year. On the subject of working together I also look forward to extending our rela- tionship with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA). By working together on qualifications and training provision we will be able to bring many benefits to the industry. Even in tough times, we’ve showcased that


we’re our sector’s national partner for work- force development for employers large or small and by all working together we can secure long term growth.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 11


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