CIMSPA CEO receives special recognition award
We are delighted that CIMSPA CEO Tara Dillon, has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to sport and physical activity with the Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award.
Tara received the award at the UK Active Awards 2024 held in Birmingham on 3rd October in recognition of the significant and continued contribution and impact that she has made to the sector, particularly her unrelenting ambition to ensure that the sport and physical activity sector has a valued and inclusive workforce to help people be more active.
Tara was shortlisted alongside Carolyn Hallam, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Serco and Sarah Roberts, Head of Fitness at PFP Leisure, in the first all-female shortlist for this award.
Tara said,
"I am absolutely honoured and humbled to receive this award. It is a privilege to be nominated alongside Carolyn and Sarah who both contribute so phenomenally to our sector. This all-female line-up shows the immense impact that women are making to the leadership of our sector.
I’m tremendously proud to be able to work on behalf of, and with, the amazingly talented sport and physical activity workforce, championing the incredible impact that they have on so many lives and communities.
I’m indebted to colleagues and friends across the sector for their support and the fact that they have embraced the collaborative approach that underpins and continues to drive CIMSPA and the work that we do.
The catalyst for that work is the passion and commitment that we see every day from professionals in leisure centres, gyms, pools, community centres, clubs, schools, colleges and universities, sports fields, parks and countless other venues. That’s why I’m so determined to achieve greater recognition of them and our sector more broadly through the work that we do at CIMSPA.
I want to thank the brilliant CIMSPA team for their support and dedication, it’s a pleasure to lead them and be part of the fantastic culture that we’ve collectively developed.
Our sector has never been more important in addressing the significant challenges that our country is facing in relation to health and economic growth, and I’ll continue to work to ensure that our potential is fully realised.”
Marc Woods, Chair of CIMSPA’s Board of Trustees said,
"I’m absolutely delighted that Tara has been recognised by the sector with this award.
Her commitment and dedication to working across physical activity, active wellbeing, sport and leisure, has been integral to enabling our workforce and the professionalism of our sector, to evolve and grow.
Through Tara’s leadership, CIMSPA and the profession are demonstrating the integral role that our workforce has in addressing the biggest challenges that our country is facing, in terms of health and wellbeing, social cohesion and economic inactivity.
On behalf of my fellow Trustees, I congratulate and thank Tara for her ongoing passion, drive and leadership.”