Rosi PRESCOTT

Rosi Prescott ran/owned private health clubs in the USA and UK before becoming CEO of Central YMCA, which includes a national Fitness Training Provider, a government-approved, Awarding Body (which accredits Training Providers  across Europe and  internationally) and a 5,000 member Health Club.  This enables her to bring direct, practical (not just theoretical), current experience of education and curriculum development, specifically within Europe and particularly as an employer.

As CEO of Central YMCA, UK, Rosi sits on the steering body of a global charity that spans 122 countries/14,000 YMCAs/50 million members (including National Bodies within 43 EU countries, covering 15,000 YMCAs and employing 30,000 people (plus 100,000 volunteers) within ‘integrated’ programmes of physical activity – reaching 3 million people/year; many, but not all, are young and most live on the margins of society. 

The YMCA is a federated charity, so Rosi is no stranger to the particular challenges such a structure can pose! Question & Answer - EHFA:  "Why is it important to have a trade body for the European fitness industry and what do you feel are the priorities for EHFA over the next three years?"- Answer: Rosi Prescott"It is vital to have a trade body for the European fitness industry as this is the only way in which our sector can truly organise itself and present a united front to government and the public.  Without this we will remain a fragmented and underachieving industry.



Question & Answer

- EHFA: "Why is it important to have a trade body for the European fitness industry and what do you feel are the priorities for EHFA over the next three years?"

- Rosi Prescott:  "Priorities for the next three years would include:

1.       The support of strong, independent National Associations, where they exist, is fundamental to the ‘next steps’ for EHFA – where they don’t yet exist, assistance should be given to enable them to be created.  These National Associations should be encouraged to encompass  private, public and charitable organisations for true sector representation;

2.       Research into the tangible benefits of physical activity and sport needs to be conducted on the European stage.  Although some would argue that sufficient ‘evidence’ already exists, there is a lack of qualitative, as well as quantitative data, to support the claims currently made.  This research should be primarily targeted at those markets which resonate with EU Commission sensitivities.

3.       The Standards Council continues to need support from a wide range of stakeholders (via both established and new Technical Expert Groups) across Europe to ensure that the health and fitness industry is served by respected, consistent and effective industry standards."

Rosi Prescott was re-elected to the Board of EHFA for the next term of two years (2010-2012) at the General Assembly which was held in Essen on 23 April 2010.