CIMSPA and UK Coaching reach agreement to create a single directory for exercise and fitness professionals

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and UK Coaching, who currently operate the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), today announce an agreement to combine REPs with the CIMSPA Exercise and Fitness Directory, creating a single directory for all exercise and fitness professionals.

The initiative will create a unified recognition system for people working in the sector and a single endorsement mechanism for training providers. Under the agreement, all current REPs members will be given the opportunity to transfer into the CIMSPA membership scheme, with the new directory being hosted and managed by CIMSPA.

UK Coaching will provide CIMSPA fitness and coaching members with access to their comprehensive online learning and development platform, which offers a wider range of learning and development resources, including CIMSPA accredited learning, which carries CPD points to maintain professional status. UK Coaching will also provide insurance for all CIMSPA exercise, fitness and coaching members.

The new unified directory will be launched in the coming months, with CIMSPA and UK Coaching working closely together to ensure a smooth and effective transition process for all REPs and CIMSPA members. In the interim, all members are advised to renew with their respective membership bodies as normal to maintain their professional recognition and, where appropriate, access to insurance.

In parallel with the creation of a single directory, CIMSPA and UK Coaching will also complete the standardisation of training provider support. Commercial training providers will be able to access a unified endorsement system, aligned with the sport and physical activity sector’s professional standards framework and backed by the sector’s only chartered professional body.

Tara Dillon, CEO, CIMSPA welcomed the announcement:

“I’m very pleased that we have reached this agreement with UK Coaching to deliver a single directory of qualified exercise and fitness professionals that confirms the status of those working within the sector. It will be an exciting time ahead, as we work towards making this a reality. In the meantime, we have one clear message for REPs and CIMSPA members: renew and stay engaged with REPs (UK Coaching) and CIMSPA as we build a single directory that benefits members, employers and the public.”

Mark Gannon, CEO, UK Coaching, added:

“This is an exciting partnership between both our organisations that will provide all exercise and fitness professionals with the ability to retain their professional status, a pathway towards chartered status and a destination to access best in class learning and development resources required to maintain their professional status.”

The agreement to unify the CIMSPA directory and Register for Exercise Professionals realises important elements of the Government’s 2015 Sporting Future strategy and Sport England’s 2016-2021 Towards an Active Nation strategy.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO, Sport England, who announced the agreement at the CIMSPA & QUEST NBS Conference, said:

“Sport England welcomes this important milestone towards building a unified and excellent sport and physical activity workforce. A single directory for the professionals working in our sector will enhance our ability to provide skills, training, recognition and career development. This in turn will empower the workforce to deliver even more positive experiences for everyone seeking to be active in communities right across the country.

I would like to thank both CIMSPA and UK Coaching for how they have worked towards this and congratulate them on agreeing this partnership”.

FAQs

Q: What is happening?

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and UK Coaching have reached an agreement to combine the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) with the CIMSPA Exercise and Fitness Directory, creating a single directory for all exercise and fitness sport and physical activity professionals, which will be hosted and managed by CIMSPA.

UK Coaching will in turn in turn provide CIMSPA fitness and coaching members with access to itstheir comprehensive learning and development platform, which holds a wealth of resources for all who deliver physical activity and sport, including access to CPD resources. UK Coaching will also continue to provide insurance for all current REPs members.

Q: Why is this happening?

CIMSPA and UK Coaching have been working together on this collaboration for two years, and this agreement has been reached as a direct result of sector feedback and employer demand, which now enables both organisations to be in a position to provide the best possible service to the workforce and to the sector as a whole.

The agreement to combine the two registers will create, for the first time, a unified recognition system for people working in the sector, together with a single endorsement mechanism for training providers. Overall, the aim is to bring clarity and simplicity to the system for all stakeholders.

Q: Why are REPs members being transferred to CIMSPA?

This agreement has been reached as a direct result of sector feedback and employer demand, which now enables both organisations to be in a position to provide the best possible service to the workforce as a collaborative force.

The agreement to transfer REPs members to CIMSPA members increases clarity over the two organisations’ roles and functions and creates a much stronger partnership.

This agreement has been reached as a direct result of sector feedback and employer demand, which now enables both organisations to be in a position to provide the best possible service to the workforce as a collaborative force.

Q: I’m a REPs member. What do I need to do?

All REPs members will be given an opportunity to join CIMSPA. We are formally announcing this initiative on February 27th, but nothing will change immediately and we will be in touch with you over the coming months to explain the process.

Please look out for communications from CIMSPA and UK Coaching; we’ll be right with you every step of the way as we help to transfer you across. In the meantime, if your REPs membership comes up for renewal you should renew as normal. You can find more information on the CIMSPA and UK Coaching websites.

Q: Will I need to do any additional training to join CIMSPA?

In most cases, the qualifications that allowed you to join REPs will also enable you to become a CIMSPA member. Please see the CIMSPA website for more information and a comparison of REPs and CIMSPA membership categories.

Q: What if I don’t meet the CIMSPA eligibility criteria?

In most cases, the qualifications that allowed you to join REPs will also enable you to become a CIMSPA member. For any members who do not currently meet the eligibility criteria, CIMSPA and UK Coaching will work with you to ensure you do, prior to your transfer date. Our collective aim is to make sure that all REPs members are eligible for CIMSPA membership and an action plan will be developed to best support each member to achieve the criteria within an agreed time scale.

More information on the eligibility criteria can be found here.

Q: My employers have always asked for REPs membership. Will they now accept CIMSPA membership instead?

Many employers already require exercise and fitness professionals to have a CIMSPA membership, and we are engaging with employers across the sector to make them aware of this change. If you are unsure, we would recommend that you speak to your manager regarding their requirements for employment. CIMSPA is here to support you, so should you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to get in touch with us directly and we can liaise with your employer regarding this.

Q: What happens to the insurance I get through REPs?

Nothing will change - REPs insurance is delivered through UK Coaching and you will continue to be insured once you transfer across to a CIMSPA membership.

Q: I completed my training through REPs recognised courses that CIMSPA don’t currently endorse. Will this affect my ability to gain the necessary points to remain in membership?

In most cases the CPD providers endorsed by REPS are also endorsed by CIMSPA, so your CPD points will transfer across. If a training provider isn’t endorsed by CIMSPA you can still claim CPD points; they will just be less than an endorsed provider. For more information, contact info@cimspa.co.uk

Q: I don’t know much about CIMSPA. What is it?

CIMSPA is the chartered professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector. Our vision is to shape a recognised and respected sector that everyone wants to be part of.

We are committed to supporting, developing and enabling professionals and organisations to succeed and, as a result, inspire our nation to become more active.

CIMSPA promotes recognised and endorsed qualifications, awards and continuous professional development, through its network of awarding organisations, employers and training provider partners. We provide a development pathway for members, all the way from students through to chartered and fellowship status.

CIMSPA has been tasked with creating a single set of standards which help to promote a professional sport and physical activity sector.

For more detail about CIMSPA and what we do, visit www.cimspa.co.uk

Q: What is UK Coaching?

UK Coaching is the brand name of the National Coaching Foundation. Great coaching encourages people to be more active and lead healthier lifestyles and our mission is to put coaching at the heart of physical activity and sport. Coaching is in our DNA. For more than 30 years, alongside our partners, we have provided the coaching workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to make a positive difference. We’ve also supported our partners to do the same. We’re now widening our scope to do this on a broader scale. How? By adopting a wider definition of coaching and extending our reach into new markets where great coaching makes a difference every day. For more information, visit www.ukcoaching.org

Q: Will I need to pay any extra fees to become a CIMSPA member?

If you have paid for your current membership with REPs in full, you won’t need to pay any additional money to join CIMSPA.

Q: Will CIMSPA provide insurance?

CIMSPA will introduce insurance via UK Coaching, who currently provide the insurance for REPs members.

Q: Will my qualifications still be recognised abroad with my CIMSPA membership?

CIMSPA has a partnership with Europe Active/EREPS which means your CIMSPA membership has international portability, allowing you to work in countries including Australia and the USA. For a full list see here: https://www.ereps.eu/content/partner-registers