History and Purpose

National Association of Baths Superintendents

Association of Baths Superintendents

From 1921

History

The Institute was first Formed in 1921 by the Government Dept of Public Health Its purpose was to introduce standards and regulation for public baths that were growing in every township throughout the UK The role and purpose of this new wave of building was to improve public health through hygiene and healthy activity. They were swimming baths and laundries and places where people could go for healthy exercise and to keep clean. In winter time for probably seven or eight months these swimming baths were closed and converted to sports halls so effectively creating the first Sports Centres

These were great times when the buildings and services created were the models for similar facilities all over the World. This is the time when the forefathers of the Institute established the principles upon which it still exists today. "If we have seen it further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants"

The Overall goals of the ISRM

Bringing together and providing a central organisation for all those involved in Sport and Recreation Management.
Helping to develop the potential of Sport and Recreation management professionals throughout their lifetime
Supporting relevant Sport and Recreation, medical , technological and management research and awareness of its results
Encouraging high standards of Sport and Recreation management education
Responding to the changing environment and opportunities that arise
Encouraging Sport and Recreation to benefit the health, individual and social development of all people
Providing training for those who work in the provision of Sport and Recreation services

Extent and diversity of professional interest

The Institute primarily serves the needs of professionals in the UK within the areas of Sport and Recreation management, operation and sports development, taking into account differences of education, law and structure that exists within the home countries
The Institute seeks to establish recognition as the expert professional organisation in the management and development of sports, at all levels, and is proactive in influencing improvement and in setting standards
The Institute will investigate with the Privy Council the requirements for obtaining Chartered status, with an aim to becoming an established Chartered Institute.
The Institute will continue to seek to have an influence on the establishment and development of standards in Play, Sports Activities and Coaching
The Institute will seek new partners in Europe and other countries in the world to share knowledge and find new markets

The future the general direction of the ISRM

The Institute will continue to build upon its historic foundations and will seek to consolidate upon its strengths and traditional areas of concern. It will serve new areas as the Sport and Recreation sector evolves and member's needs change.

The issues of Today include:

CPA
Health and Physical activity
Obesity
Olympics
Community Sport

The Institute is a Charity and its Charitable Objectives are:

To promote public health through education and training and active participation in sport and recreation

To promote opportunities for public benefit in recreation and other leisure time occupation for health and social welfare

The Institute prides itself in being an effective body

Based upon public administration principles
With strong networking of members
Based on sports management principles
With a manageable scope, focus and remit in sport
Charitable body principles

The ISRM is Engaged through:

Members magazine
Effective regions

Democracy
CPD
Regular programmes
Social events

E-News and interactive website
Member handbook
Forums for specific topics
Social programmes

The ISRM is effectively structured:

Small board of management to manage the operation of the Institute
A democratic National Strategy Forum for policy and communication who appoint the management board
The ISRM has effective partnerships with key agents in policy and operation
The ISRM has both a National and regional focus and remit

The ISRM is relevant to the needs of today's professionals with:

Qualifications with National status and approval
We provide a route to a primary career and benchmark for employment within the sector
Effective two way communication with members
Members develop and share best practice
The Institute set standards in sport and operation particularly in effective provision and health and safety
Our services are both responsive and predictive
We provide the highest quality of information and advice for our members

The ISRM has real Camaraderie that makes it unique

There is shared learning
Common pathways
Common purpose
Respect for persons
We make time for socialising
Equity is at the heart

The Values of ISRM are The Values of Sport

Sport, because of its access to all classes, represents social advance, an equality, a symbol of freedom, some minority groups find in sport, possibly more than in any other social institution, the equality of opportunity won from a class system and slavery so long ago. Such is the Power of Sport.

Let us ensure that the powerful influences of sport are not directed to greed, corruption and war, but towards community well-being and for individual self-fulfilment.

Sport is the most precious commodity we can hand on to the next generation.
Keep it safe.

George Torkildsen 1934 - 2005