News

Many of you will have seen and heard recent news reports regarding the Independent Safeguarding Authority and the vetting and barring scheme shortly to be introduced.  The current focus is on 'volunteers' who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults on a 'frequent' basis.  However, the scheme will continue to be broadened and expanded during 2010 and 2011.

New Jobs on SPS website - We have had a number of new and exciting job opportunties come into the office lately, for a wide variety of posts (both paid and voluntary work).  Those advertising include: British Cycling, Bath University Sports Development Department, The Load Centre (in an Austrian ski resort), Torfaen Half Marathon.

British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) Interested in providing massage for performing artists? BAPAM provides free and/or affordable ongoing treatment for professional and semi-professional performing artists with performance-related health problems. They have created a network of practitioners, available to performers via the courses and CPD events, as well as a fantastic online booking system - the ability for you to register on the Find a Practitioner list - job opportunities (paid and voluntary) and product sales The website will be updated

Expert Swiss Ball training - Get On The Ball, the internationally recognised Swiss Ball Training concept, is now opening courses to fitness professionals for the first time.  Get On The Ball has trained thousands of practitioners over the past ten years, and its concepts are used with a vast array of clients including the Royal Marines, professional football clubs and Olympic athletes, through to community back care programmes and elderly falls prevention.

Changes to First Aid Training -  On 1st Oct 09, changes will take place to First Aid Training and Qualifications.  The 'Appointed Person' First Aid qualification will be re-named 'Emergency First Aid at Work' (EFAW).  Despite the name change, course content will remain the same and the award will last for 3 years.

Graduation Congratulations - Congratulations to SPS students in Cardiff, Gloucester and Nottingham who received their results today.  This result represents the first cohort of students to enter the workplace with Higher Education qualifications in sports massage.  Twenty students received the qualification UCAPD Massage - In a Sports Environment.

Sports Massage Jobs - Ski Season 09/10 - One of our graduates, Anna Beadle, owns a successful sports massage business in the Alps.  She is looking to employ sports massage practitioners for the forthcoming ski season.  An attractive package includes pay, accommodation, ski pass and equipment.

National Occupational Standards - National Occupational Standards (NOS) for massage are still awaiting approval.  Skills Active (Sector Skills Council) expect the NOS to be 'signed off' in the next couple of months.