From the President 11/07/2007

Dear Colleagues,

I was elected as President of EHFA in April 2007 with a clear vision and ambition for the direction in which this pan-European association must develop.

Over the past few months, I have been travelling extensively, developing these ideas into a coherent strategic plan. This initial work is complete and it is my pleasure to announce that there will be a General Assembly to secure the consent of EHFA members for the implementation of this new agenda. This will be held in Cologne on 21 August 2007. One thing has consistently played on my mind as this plan has developed.

The health and fitness industry needs to stand up and make its voice heard at the European level.

There are a number of reasons I say this. First, do we realise that as an industry, we cater for the needs of over 40,000,000 members? Or that the sum of the employees in our sector reaches over 370,000? Twenty one national federations, representing nearly 37,000 facilities and 450 top tier suppliers.  An industry with a cumulative pan-European value of over 20 billion.  As a point for thought, compare this to football, an industry worth 12billion. And the key question is: who do we tell about this? What do we do with our reach? What role can we play in mobilising the European public to get more people, more active, more often?

If we pause for a moment, we need to recognise the magnificent work this organisation has already completed. Under the leadership of Allan Pilkington, EHFA has developed into an organisation recognised for its role in professionalizing the European health and fitness industry. EHFA has been at the forefront of the drive for quality, standards and certification and this can be seen by the marvelous work being carried out by EHFA members back in their own member states. Through working with the European Commission on projects relating to ECVET and EQF, EHFA has already put the fitness industry far ahead of other sectors in developing a system of training accreditation that will lead to the free mobility of workers right across Europe and beyond.

However, it is time to look outside the confines of our industry. We must engage with the institutions of European and Global governance that need partners who are willing and able to help deliver on a whole host of targets related to promoting physical activity and reducing the burdens of obesity and low productivity.

Under my leadership, EHFA will promote and represent the industry to the mechanisms of European government, the WHO in Geneva and the IOC in Laussanne.

Do not doubt for a moment that these institutions are ready to listen. The EU Commission has issued a White Paper on Diet Physical Activity and Health in which DG Sanco pledges to do its utmost to promote physical activity. The Commission is also issuing a White Paper on Sport in which sport is defined as "all forms of physical activity which through, casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels".  They are looking for partners. Let us step up to the challenge.

                                                                        
EHFA must inform, influence and help shape those decisions which will affect the health and fitness levels across Europe. We must promote our sector as an entity that dispenses exercise as medicine.

How do we do this? Well, beyond the vital standards setting and representative roles outlined above, EHFA will initiate research and enhance the current position as an indispensable resource for information. We will draw the industry together for networking events and facilitate the introduction of the very best educational programmes, both for our staff and for our leaders.

All that is left is the question of who should be a part of this. The answer is clear EHFA is here for everyone involved in the sector. Individual health clubs, health club chains, national and regional associations, education and training providers, certification institutions, equipment and service suppliers and those companies with an interest in the Health and Fitness industry can join EHFA and support its activities.  What will they get in return? They will get a representative voice at the heart of policy development in Brussels and play a vital part in the drive for higher quality levels in our industry. The information flow will be constant: our members inform us of the issues, and fully briefed, we act on them.

I hope this goes a long way to explaining the direction in which I plan to lead EHFA. I hope to see all our members at our General Assembly when these issues can be discussed in more detail.

Yours faithfully, 
Harm B. Tegelaars
President
EHFA

<sup>Please also read:

From the President 10/04/08</sup>