Meet our Members: Karen Begley

We welcome Karen Begley, to discuss her career in sport and physical activity.

Karen is just one of thousands of CIMSPA members whose dedicated career represents the commitment, passion and devotion to sport and physical activity.

CIMSPA, our members, and partners are working together to bring recognition and respect to our profession, and this continues to be possible because of our members, like Karen.

If you would like to get involved or submit your own blog, please contact press@cimspa.co.uk for further details and requirements.

What are you currently working on?

“The recent report from Sport England, ‘Future of Public Sector Leisure,’ was music to my ears. In the last 18 months I have been working with a volunteer board of directors to transition a former local authority leisure centre into an active wellbeing hub, collaborating with individual volunteers, third sector organisation and professional stakeholders to develop a range of activities for our dispersed community, using the Wellbeing of Future Generation (Wales) Act 2015 as our template for change.

“The board undertook a thorough community consultation and in response is planning an extension to its provision and physical buildings with strong links to local community groups such as the Good Turn Scheme, community transport, green prescribing services, the National Exercise Referral Scheme and private wellness providers, supporting the local economy along the way.

“Our strap line for some time is that ‘we are more than just a leisure centre’ on a journey to being a wellbeing hub.

“We still retain our original identity of being a fitness and sports venue. We celebrated with 19 Pickleball English National medal winners a few months ago and we hope to play a active part in the Island Games in 2027.”

What are your thoughts about the future of sport?

“It was so satisfying to share in the success of the Lionesses. A visual display of equality in sport taking leaps and bounds from where it was 40 years ago when I began giving my time freely as a grassroots and then performance coach whilst holding down a full time job, raising a family, chairing various committees and competing in sport myself.

“This summer we were treated to reports and highlights of women being successful in other male dominated sports such as Cricket and Rugby. Well done to Welsh Rugby for equalising the pay for women and men.

“I’m looking forward to men playing competitive netball as they do in Australia. In my time I have played most sports and love trying something new but I have found very little that is as dynamic as netball  It is technically and tactically challenging with nowhere to hide, requiring a high level of fitness and stamina in order to be successful. I am still playing walking netball whilst the men play walking football.  We still have a lot of ground to cover but we are on the right track. 

“Sport is inadvertent activity that helps us to live well for longer, We are planning an alternative sport open day on the 18 February 2023 showcasing roller hockey, skate boarding and Ultimate Frisbee, there is a sport out there for everyone. I loved being a spectator at the local tug of war event on new years day and participating in the sea swim on boxing day.”

Where do your passions lie?

“My love of coaching young people has translated into the workplace, helping people to be the best that they can be. I was a qualified coach practitioner leading a team of ten chartered professionals coaching managers to intervene early.

“If something is not working there is often a hidden reason as to why that is, take time out at an early stage to have an honest conversation. In the workplace the strength is in your people. Develop, coach and nurture individuals strengths and aspirations, allow them to indulge their passions and see them thrive and your business will thrive too.

“My mantra is NeverQuitPlaying so that you live well for longer.

“During Covid like most of us I was less active, playing in the garden and reading more.  My first read and most impressionable webinar and book is ‘The Miracle Pill’ by Peter Walker.  What is the Miracle Pill?  In his words ‘the answer is Movement’. It is a recommended read for anyone in our industry.

“In 2020, everyone was being encouraged and given permission to exercise for 30 minutes a day. Whilst many people understood the need to be active, how many did not know where to start? How many people would love to return to sport or give sport a go for the first time but did not know where to start?

“So I pulled together the ‘get ready to play’ wellbeing programme giving 12 changes over 10 weeks to help people to get active. So far over 30 people have been through the programme and my passion is to make it fly. It’s perfect for fitness professionals to introduce people to activity, preparing the mind and body for change, gradually increasing fitness levels, leading to participation in sport. At some point in the future I may look to franchise the programme if others in our industry don’t grasp the nettle.”

So what does the future hold?

“For the moment I will continue as Company Secretary and Board member working with a board of directors committed to building the resilience of the local community. Developing a model of delivery for others to follow.

“We recognise that wellness comes in all sorts of guises and what makes one person healthy and happy will be different for someone else.  That’s why our focus is on the community coming together to improve mental, physical, social and environmental wellbeing for all ages. 

“We are just as much a music and entertainment venue showcasing local and international talent providing a backdrop for artists and makers of all kinds and giving space to community groups and gamers such as our Bridge club and gifted patch work group.  We have invested in solar energy using crowd funding and are the area’s only providers of EV points and E-bikes. There is more to come. 

“We are presently putting together a number of grant applications to fund our community’s ambitions and would love to hear from anyone who supports our intentions and thinks they can help.”

What are the benefits of being a CIMSPA member?

“The business is an Employer Partner of CIMSPA and that’s why I became Chartered Fellow of CIMSPA. CIMSPA keeps you updated on the trends and developments in our industry, it sets the standards for us to follow and is a sign of excellence in our field.

“On a personal level it gives me a voice to say NeverQuitPlaying.”