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REPS meets international counterparts
The 23rd IHRSA (International Health Racquets and Sportsclub Association) convention held in Las Vegas recently proved an opportunity for an international meeting of exercise registrars and representatives concerned with setting standards of qualifications for the fitness industry.
The UK was represented by REPs’ registrar, Cliff Collins, who met with his counterparts from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland as well as representatives from ACSM, the European Health and Fitness Association, Central YMCA Qualifications and IHRSA.
Several issues were explored, including the importance of internationally recognisable qualifications and the importance of co-operation and respect for the registers – and therefore exercise professionals – from around the world.
As a result of the meeting, the following joint statement has been issued on behalf of all of those who attended:
“The issues surrounding the importance of international recognition of qualifications and competencies for fitness professionals were explored at a recent meeting convened in Las Vegas at the IRHSA 2004 Convention.
“The dialogue covered aspects of technical content, recognition of certification and external assessment and mapping of levels and standards. Other criteria for consideration, including liability insurance and first-aid requirements, matters of enforcement, government and industry restrictions and requirements were also explored.
“The meeting agreed that participating countries and organisations should work together to determine areas of best practice and to try and agree on the broad parity of qualifications and standards wherever possible, and to encourage other countries and their ‘competent authorities’ to progress with international recognition of their training and processes.
The group agreed that participation and co-operation was voluntary, and that these processes would not affect the principle of subsiduarity.”
REPs registrar, Cliff Collins, said: “I very much enjoyed the international meeting and felt that there were some very strong bonds being formed, certainly a real spirit of co-operation was self-evident.
“Without being too over-ambitious, we felt it was appropriate to mark the occasion in some way and this statement captures the tone of the meeting and our intentions for following it through.”