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Click here to return to newsletter articles.IFI National Conference a Measure of How Far the Industry Has Come
December 13th, Queen Elizabeth II Conference in Westminster saw the Inclusive Fitness Initiative’s first ever National Conference, ‘Fit For Inclusion’.
The conference attracted over 250 delegates from across the fitness sector to see the range of high quality keynote and breakout speakers on offer at the landmark event focusing on what the industry has done, and needs to do to include disabled people.
In addition to this, the IFI held the first Inclusive Fitness Awards recognising accredited IFI Sites that have gone above and beyond the requirements of IFI Accreditation to offer outstanding provision for disabled users. Awards were made in five categories recognising accessible facilities, the impact of volunteers, engaging the community, implementing inclusive marketing and creating partnerships. The winners in each category were:
- West Craven Sports Centre – Innovation in Inclusive Marketing
- University of Hull – Creating Partnerships
- Rushcliffe Arena – Creating Accessible Environments
- Reigate and Redhill YMCA – Engaging Volunteers
- Mill Chase Leisure Centre – Community Impact
The awards themselves, were presented by former powerlifter Gary Jelen MBE.
During the conference, Norman Croucher OBE, acclaimed mountaineer and double lower limb amputee gave a light-hearted look at the impact inclusive physical activity provision can have on the lives of disabled people, recounting tales of expeditions up many of the world’s highest peaks.
Professor James H Rimmer of the National Centre on Physical Activity and Disability at the University of Illinois provided an insight into the work that is being conducted across the Atlantic together with how the US and the UK will work together to advance the inclusion agenda on a global scale.
The conference also attracted a range of first-class breakout session speakers to follow on from the topics covered in the keynote sessions. Speakers included:
- Robin Gargrave, Director YMCAfit
- Bob Laventure, Consultant, Older People, BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health, Loughborough
- Ken Black, Director, Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport,
- David Morris, Senior Advisor to the Mayor of London (Disability)
- Professor Nichola Rumsey, Professor of Appearance and Health Psychology, University of the West of England
In addition to the packed programme, an exhibition area included IFI accredited equipment suppliers and other organisations active in the field of inclusive fitness provision.
A partnership between the IFI, DC Leisure, The British International Rowing Organisation and Concept 2 provided the opportunity for delegates to observe an internet linked indoor rowing event with international rowers placed in leisure centres across the country and also in the conference centre competing over 500m.
Chris Easton, IFI Assistant Director and Conference Manager,
“For a conference such of this to have been possible provides a real indication of how far the fitness industry has come in providing a high quality provision for disabled people. It also illustrates that there is still much work to be done. Over 250 industry professionals left in no doubt that the inclusion agenda is not only here to stay in the fitness industry, but that it is driving forwards at a relentless pace.”
