ISRM backs plan for single new professional body

Institute of Sport & Recreation Management's members vote to back the new professional body proposed by Sport England but not on the terms presently on offer.

[ClickPress, Tue May 16 2006] MEMBERS of the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to creating a single new professional body.

This follows yesterday’s extraordinary general meeting of the ISRM, which saw Institute members vote, by a majority of over 75%, against the current proposals to merge the ISRM with two other organisations.

However, ISRM members present strongly backed the plan to create a single new professional body. They agreed the following motion: ‘That the members of the ISRM present today request that the Trustees continue to discuss and negotiate with all other parties with a view to achieving acceptable terms and conditions for establishing a single new professional body.’

ISRM Trustees had recommended that members should vote not to accept the merger proposal at this time, because of their concerns with a number of the proposals in the published prospectus.

However, they have always stressed their commitment to creating one professional body.

Andy Varnom, chairman of the ISRM Trustees, said: ‘We remain as committed as ever to creating a single new professional body. The views expressed by our members at today’s meeting have only reinforced this position. We now want to take up the proposal from the Sports Minister Richard Caborn to meet with him as soon as possible to try to iron out the concerns that we and our members have expressed.’

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For further details please contact Ralph Riley CEO of the ISRM on 01509 226492 or ralphriley@isrm.co.uk

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