EHFA has evolved from a small organization in 2001 to a larger organization with 18 member associations from 24 countries by 2010. EHFA developed fitness industry standards and an accreditation system for training providers called EREPS. EHFA secured EU funding for several projects related to standards, vocational education and training, and promoting physical activity. By 2010, EHFA had expanded its operations and staff based in Brussels to represent the fitness industry on EU policy issues like health, employment, and education.

1. “ SETTING THE SCENE” THE EVOLUTION & POSITION OF EHFA Herman Rutgers, Executive Director

2. Some background – where we were in 2006 EHFA had operated since 2001 – emerging from the earlier European Network of Fitness Associations formed in 1996 43 members – mainly training providers and 3 national associations in 11 European countries EHFA joined EU groups of Sport and at Sanco Income relied heavily on project work Part-time executive Divided into 5 Commissions + verification unit

3. The EHFA Group EHFA And the Standards Council European Network of Exercise Professionals and Registers European Network of Fitness Employers Awarding Body and Verification Group VET HE Training Group Labour Market Research Group EASE EOSE Public Affairs Group Scientific

4. Where we were in 2006 The three pillars of EHFA’s work: Standards development (completed for basic and advanced instructing) Develop EREPS Accreditation – for clubs and training providers

5. Where we were in 2006 “ ....we need to move quickly and establish a process of quality assurance (for VET) that is transparent and sustainable and which will be acceptable to national partners and the European Commission alike. The EC are developing their own processes for the Common Quality Assurance Framework but at the Conference in Budapest this weekend it was agreed that sectors had a role to play in the validation...if we don’t we will not get another chance and EHFA will be finished.” Allan Pilkington EHFA President March ‘06

6. Where we ended in late 2006 Specification and tenders sought in March for EHFA verification service of training companies Only 1 qualifying bid from CYQ who were duly appointed subject to further discussions on costs Expectation of around 50 training companies to go through EHFA verification within 3 years CYQ appointed in September for 6 years exclusive EHFA wins 1 st ECVET project In early 2007 AP steps down

7. Where we were in March 2008 A new Board and President from April 2007 An office in Brussels with full time secretariat Legal entity as Belgium not-for-profit association 12 national associations as members 4,400 separate fitness centres associated Members across 22 different European countries Operating Budget 2006 € 40.000 > 2008 400.000 Applications for 2 nd ECVET project & EA Fitness

8. The structure of EHFA after GA in April 2008 EUROPEAN AFFAIRS & RESEARCH SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD SECRETARIATE and SERVICES EHFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS STANDARDS COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS VERIFICATION UNIT MEMBERSHIP TEG - TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP Employers Federations EU Affairs Suppliers Higher Education VET providers, etc SUB-TEGS Review existing Children Older adults Exercise referral Special pops. , etc

9. Where we have got to in 2010 5 FTE working from Brx office 18 national associations, nearly 10,000 facilities, members across 24 EU countries Operating budget 2010 projected € 780.000 EREPS operating since July 2008 Standards Council and TEGs operating with 50 independent experts 3 rd Annual Fitness Forum, 3rd Executive Leadership Forum, 3rd national association meeting (Nov.)

10. 40.000.000 Members 390.000 Employees 38.900 Clubs 22.000.000.000 Revenues (€) Comparison: Football is 12 Milion Euro And before 2007 our sector was NOT even represented in Brussels ! The importance of the fitness industry in Europe

12. Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health ( DG SANCO ) EASE (European Association of Sports Employers) EOSE (European Observatoire of Sports and Employment) ENGSO (European Non Governmental Sports Organisation) ENSSEE (EU Network of Sports Science, Education and Employment) EU Physical Activity Promotion Platform ( CESS, ECF, FEPI, ENGSO, ISCA and EHFA) European Sport & Active Leisure Workforce Development ALLIANCE HEPA ( WHO) EHFA cooperation with other EU associations

13. Some EU-funded work completed by EHFA 2005 – Eurofit QST – development of original EHFA standards 2007 – ECVET – Exercise and fitness – testing VET systems 2008 – Operating grant – to assist EHFA development 2009 – Operating grant – to assist EHFA development

14. Some EU-funded work that EHFA is doing 2008-10 – EA Fitness - VET, standards development and EREPS 2010-2013 MOVE – Physical Activity Promotion Forum (ISCA) 2010-11 – Sport for All - people with disabilities (EOSE) 2010-11 – Becoming the HUB – research and review of campaigns and policy for HEPA 2010-11 – IMPACT – developing social dialogue (EASE)

15. The HUB Increasing the influence in determining policy for the EU, national governments and across the European fitness industry. White Paper on Sport EU Guidelines for physical activity Eurostat barometer HEPA Lisbon Treaty 180,000 Euro – partners with EOSE, FIA & VDF

17. Some future project work EHFA would like to do 2011-2011 – FAD – Fitness Against Doping Developing a sector approach to: ECVET EQAVET 2011-2014 – 7 th framework research project

18. Joined forces The industry ( all stakeholders) need to be engaged , organized and involved in order to be successful… Thank you for your continued support !

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