JANUARY 13 LETTERS Write to reply
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Schools must be practical about child protection I was taken aback to read that Lea Valley High School in Enfield, London – a specialist sports college – has banned parents from attending sports events at the school under child protection rules (Daily Mail, 4 Oct 12). Even without my Right Directions health and safety hat on, as a parent who watches matches and acts as a swimming club official at galas, I think the ban is completely over the top. Positivity on the touchline is hugely
important. Why would kids put their all into a performance if there’s no-one to cheer them on? I don’t know a single UK pool that doesn’t let parents attend a gala. There are lots of easy measures that
can be put in place rather than a ban. A school simply needs to be practical, with a policy that lays down what’s expected and required of the kids, parents and other spectators. Alternatively, a rota system of CRB-checked parents could steward the matches. These events are held in such open places that any odd behaviour would be seen immediately. Of course, there’s nothing more
Training instructors in functional training is just as important as selecting the right kit
Instructors need more education in functional training
I felt compelled to respond to Rory McGown’s comment in the October issue of HCM that “more instructor education on how to use functional equipment is needed to increase [customer] demand” (see HCM Oct 12, p64). I agree 100 per cent. When considering the development of a functional training space – either as part of an existing facility or as a standalone venue – investment in instructor education is every bit as important as kit selection. The two go hand-in-hand and should be attributed equal worth. Instructors who have received training
on specific pieces of functional kit will then be able to use it to prescribe an infinite number of exercise combinations. This variety helps maintain member engagement and motivation.
8 Functional training areas also provide
instructors with much more opportunity to engage with customers than a traditional gym environment, as the equipment requires more explanation. Whether through the execution of small group exercise classes or one-to-one instruction, once trained, instructors have more freedom to demonstrate their professional worth. But functional zones are only now
becoming commonplace in gyms, and it’s naïve to assume instructors instinctively know how to use the kit to its full potential. Operators need to invest in their staff, and this includes ensuring gym teams are kept up-to-date with the latest training techniques and equipment. Scott Thomas-Fitch International marketing manager, TRX
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frustrating for the referee than parents screaming abusive comments or crossing the line. However, in this case they need to deal with the specific problem. With knee-jerk decisions like this, we’re in danger of losing our Olympic legacy before it’s even got off the ground. Caroline Constantine MD, Right Directions Management
The right rules and checks can ensure safety for child sports spectatorship
January 2013 © Cybertrek 2013
JANUARY 2013
© ROB BOUWM/
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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