The British Judo Association has achieved SkillsActive endorsement for its new Judofit programme and promoted the concept to several leisure operators, thanks to support from SkillsActive.
In early 2011, the British Judo Association approached SkillsActive requesting help with the development of its new Judofit programme. SkillsActive is funded by Sport England to support national governing bodies of sport to deliver the workforce development commitments in their current plans.
British Judo Association Development Director Mark Beecher says: “Judofit uses the core training principles of the Olympic sport of Judo to provide a fun and exciting fitness class that tones and strengthen the entire body.”
SkillsActive worked with the NGB throughout 2011 to help design the course and compile all the necessary evidence for the SkillsActive endorsement application, including policies and procedures and tutor and learner resources.
SkillsActive endorsement ensures the quality of the course and its relevance to the sector. It also provides learners with Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) recognised CPD points. All REPs instructors have to log a total of 24 CPD points over a two year period to maintain their membership.
Mark says: “In October 2011, SkillsActive approved our course first time, allocating it the maximum REPs CPD points available, which is a fantastic result. This means instructors can now learn to deliver the programme by attending a one day course with the British Judo Association, and also accrue eight CPD points towards the 24 they need to stay on the Register.”
Following a successful Judofit pilot by the British Judo Association with Freedom Leisure in early 2012, SkillsActive introduced the NGB to several other leisure operators across England. The programme is now gaining interest from Fusion Lifestyle, SERCO and Virgin Active, and Virgin Active has invited the NGB to present Judofit at the FitPro convention’s ‘Clash of the Classes’ - a showcase for new class concepts - in April 2012.
Mark says: “SkillsActive’s support and involvement was crucial in helping us get Judofit off the ground and into gym classes. The present and future success of Judofit is at least in part down to the professional and insightful knowledge the SkillsActive team has provided to British Judo.”
SkillsActive now has ready made templates to support new organisations looking to gain endorsement.
