Edition number 2; dateline 2 October 2009
Who’s whom
There are more goings than comings this month but on the whole it looks like when the football transfer window closed so did everybody else’s.
Sales and marketing consultant Paul Woodford is taking his expertise to Alliance Leisure where he will become head of their support division; Georgina Harland and Penny Briscoe are to become members of UK Sport’s Mission 2012 panels which were established to review the status of Paralympic and Olympic sports as the games approach; Mark Scarth is leaving his post as regional manager for Sportscoach UK in the South East having decided to take voluntary redundancy; Ralph Riley is leaving his corner office at the ISRM’s Loughborough HQ in a move widely linked with the drive towards a Peter Mann-inspired Chartered Institute for Sport; and Sarah Pearce has departed the national skills academy where she had been head of communications.
But the recession must be receding as the job pages fill out in all sectors of the sport, leisure and sport industry:
Flavour of Sport England’s month StreetGames are looking for a project manager with “experience of delivering success in a complex environment” to earn between £30,011 and £40,741 working on the Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers programme. The National Programme Manager will anchor the programme and make the best use of resources to the benefit of the young people volunteering in local StreetGames projects; British Cycling continue to recruit apace with a recreation manager’s job going in Lancashire; the Nene Park Trust in Peterborough are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic head ranger to lead, inspire and develop their ranger team in conjunction with a recent internally appointed head ranger. Up to £30,000 but what about the internal politics?; British Fencing are looking to recruit an experienced Event Director to be responsible “for the successful planning and efficient operational delivery” of the 2011 European Fencing Championships in Sheffield at £25,000; in the world of theatre the Traverse Theatre is seeking a literary officer, the Mercury in Colchester need a production manager and Birmingham Royal Ballet find themselves in want of a media and public relations manager; if you are an “experienced, appropriately qualified and highly skilled physiotherapist” with no record of purchasing joke shop blood capsules there is an unexpected opportunity arisen at the Rugby Football Union to work with their 1st XV; AMF Bowling - who have over 100 years experience of tenpin managing in the UK - are looking for a deputy manager in Nottingham who can earn up to £21,850 OTE (on target earnings) by organising up to 10 people when on shift and managing promotions and proactive sales campaigns; and at the very top of the shop the Amateur Swimming Association are recruiting a President for 2011 and 2012 with the caveat that “English athletes compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games under the GB banner so there is normally no official role at the Games for the ASA President”..
the people page
comings, goings and a personal spotlight
Spotlight: Daniel Jones
What job are you doing now?
I am senior sales consultant with ZigZag.
Which job within the sport, leisure and culture sector would you most like to do?
I would like to see myself as part of a key group that drives innovative fitness solutions in the sector, but then again I would be delighted to manage Queens Park Rangers FC to the Premier League title!
Who or what has inspired you in your career?
When I was a child I was extremely lucky to be given many sporting opportunities that saw my parents drive me around the country to participate. I am inspired to work in an industry that I love and that has helped to develop who I am today. Many children don’t get the opportunities that I had and my role allows me to give something back.
What advice would you offer to a young person entering this industry?
It’s so important to be fully committed to the role and position you’re in. We are working in a service industry that is absolutely essential to the next generation and will affect the health and wellbeing of our future families. Official and accredited training in all areas of the leisure industry must be achieved to ensure that quality services can be provided within our leisure centres, health clubs and other fitness activities.
What looks like being your biggest challenge over the next twelve months?
We’re working extremely hard to move the ZigZag brand forwards in an ever-changing industry and the next twelve months will be very creative, great fun and a pro-active time to ensure our offering is aligned with the market requirements, offering a concept that’s commercially profitable for operators and engaging for everyone too.
Which single thing could improve the sector?
Within the last five years the youth fitness sector has gone from strength to strength but that means staff within the clubs and centres need to adapt their coaching and instructor skills. We must make certain that high-quality, accredited training courses are delivered.
What could the sector do without?
The sector could do without severe budget cuts. It’s essential that money is made available year on year to ensure that the hard work and results that have already been achieved can be taken to the next level.
Where do you hope to be in ten years time?
I definitely see myself in the leisure industry and at the forefront of creative fitness solutions for all age groups. I hope to be a part of the new inventions and to help bring them to the UK leisure market.
