From the President 13/04/2010

Dear Colleagues,     

Since I last wrote to you in April ’09 ahead of the General Assembly in Essen, we remain in the grips of turbulent economic times. Governments across Europe have strained to cope with the market failure of the financial sector.

Another constant has been that despite the economic and political turbulence, the European wide societal challenge of rising rates of obesity, the endemic growth in lifestyle related conditions, and the ageing demographic profile of European citizens remains high on the political agenda.

Across Europe there is a growing recognition that failure to act in reducing obesity rates (and preventing their rise in the future), managing chronic conditions outside of the health care service, in community settings and through self-care, and supporting the elderly to live long and independent retirements, free from the risk of falls and fractures, Governments will face accusations of neglect from future generations.

Our industry is special. In the current economic context, only the fittest will survive.

Governments across Europe need industries with a high added value for society.

By this, I mean industries which help tackle the most pressing issues of the day: manage the potential challenge posed by climate change, grow dynamically in order to provide jobs that require skilled employment and provide a mechanism to manage the greatest public health challenge of our era in the growth of lifestyle related conditions.

Such are the long term trends in society, the ageing, sickening and fattening population trends, that I am convinced that our industry will be valued by our partners for generations to come. It is still my pleasure to work within an industry so rich in potential, so poised to make a dramatic impact.

It is my conviction that this industry will continue to grow. For those of you who have had the pleasure of reading the Les Mills paper, the Future of Fitness, you will understand that the future nature of our growth may not resemble its historic nature. We must be ready to evolve as an industry – continue to be innovative and dynamic and not fear change in a conservative manner.

That has been our philosophy at EHFA for the past three years. We have transformed our Association into a serious pan-European body, which now represents over 9,000 health clubs, leisure centres and municipal facilities in 23 countries across Europe. With dynamism and passion, we have developed an infrastructure on which our European industry can grow. This is a long term project, which requires long term commitment and perseverance. It has been further developed in the document “EHFA Vision 2016”, which will be presented for the approval of the EHFA membership at our upcoming General Assembly.

We have been given the opportunity to shape our future relationship with governments across Europe through the “Becoming the Hub” project, which we have developed with the support from the EU Directorate General for Education and Culture.

This important project is part of the Preparatory Actions in the Field of Sport – you may recall that the European Commission has received, as a result of the new Lisbon Treaty, the right to legislate and invest in sport.

We have been through a remarkable transformation. The EHFA Board has been strengthened by some of the leading figures in the European industry being elected by the EHFA membership. It will be further strengthened by any of the fine candidates put forward for election this year.

I am delighted to report that the EHFA membership grew by 80 % percent last year. We held events in five countries, gave presentations to over 3.000 people, and began to see a real development in our series of events:  the Executive Leadership Forum, the EHFA National Associations Forum, and the European Fitness Forum.

I am absolutely thrilled that EREPS is now beginning to thrive. We are now past the 1.000 mark of registered fitness professionals. They come from 28 different countries and we are learning much about what our industry looks like in every corner of Europe. EREPS fitness professionals are a passionate group of people. They are in the forefront of our industry and we should be proud of their professionalism and dedication.

Coming to the General Assembly, as an EHFA member, I would hope that you too feel proud of your Association and where it is going – you own it, you shape it and through the election process, you can also guide it.

This is my fourth General Assembly as President of EHFA. I am of the belief that now is the appropriate time for our Association to put before you what we believe to be the future strategy and course of action, and how it is going to be paid for. My view is, that dividing the cost amongst the many, that cost of running our association need not be expensive. It must be a contribution, but it should deliver value far in excess of its cost to each of you.  Our plans may take some time to achieve but we shall get there, with your support. I would draw your attention to Resolution No. 5 ("EHFA Vision 2016”), which discusses this strategy.

I urge you to join us for the General Assembly on Friday, 23 April 2010, from 15.00 to 17.00hrs at Moevenpick Hotel, in Essen, Germany.

Your attendance and involvement in EHFA matters is paramount. Should you be unable to attend, please complete your proxy voting form and return it to the EHFA Secretariat.

It continues to be my great pleasure to act as President for this organisation; I wish you a healthy, wealthy and fulfilled 2010.            
       

Yours Sincerely,
Harm B. Tegelaars
President
EHFA

^{Please also read:
From the President 17/09/09
From the President 10/04/08
From the President 11/07/07}