The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
Media release - 8 March 2005
ISRM backs New Professional Body for Sport
Following a recent ballot of members an overwhelming 91 per cent gave their backing for the ISRM to continue its discussions with the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) about becoming part of a new professional body. However, seven out of ten (71 per cent) members voted for a "sport-only" model.
The main driving force behind the new professional body is to ensure that sport remains part of the Comprehensive Professional Assessment (CPA) which will measure the delivery of services by councils to local people.
ISRM, chief executive, Ralph Riley said: "Including sport in CPA is a major development and recognises that sport is an essential part of the local community with a major influence on people's lives. However, our members don't believe that the best interests of sport would be served by a professional body that includes those who work in such diverse services as libraries, museums arts and tourism. And I'm sure the 23,000 members of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals would agree."
ISRM's trustees are firmly behind the aims and principles of the new professional body and will continue to work with the DCMS to ensure the opinions voiced by its members are represented in the ongoing discussions.
"The creation of the new body has to be about change for the better so that sport can continue to flourish and make a difference to people's lives," concluded Riley.
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For more information, please contact:
Johnny Sollitt-Davis / Joanna Masson
Octopus Communications for ISRM
01753 672755
isrm@octopuscomms.net
About ISRM
The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management is the national professional body for sport and recreation management in the UK. Founded in 1921, the institute has a membership of 2,500 qualified sport and recreation specialists employed at all levels in the industry from front line managers to heads of companies, organizations and local authority departments. Its key objective is to provide opportunities for participation in sport and other recreational activities to benefit public health. More information is available at www.isrm.co.uk.