EHFA and IHRSA become strategic partners

The European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) and the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) recently announced that they have established a strategic partnership, with a vision for a joint development for the benefit of the European health and fitness industry.

Allan Pilkington, President of EHFA, and John McCarthy, Executive Director of IHRSA, officially signed the partnership agreement just prior to the opening of IHRSA’s 5th Annual European Congress which took place in Rome from 2nd - 5th October.

“The work EHFA is doing on developing standards for the industry is key to helping the health club sector and the fitness industry in general to grow and prosper,” McCarthy commented. “The more successful EHFA is in its mission, the more successful the entire industry will be.”

The European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) is the standards setting body for the European health and fitness industry. It is a non-profit organization, which exists to advance and promote the role of fitness training as an activity able to improve health and social conditions.

‘On behalf of EHFA, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work in partnership with IHRSA,’ Pilkington said. ‘Combining the know-how and expertise of our organisations, will allow us to make a real impact to the industry’s image, growth and standardisation.’

Herman Rutgers, IHRSA’s Director Europe, noted that IHRSA will be supporting EHFA in its standardization role within Europe, while EHFA will keep IHRSA apprised of any developments and proposed rules and regulations in the EU that are important to the health and fitness industry. EHFA will also collaborate with IHRSA and Deloitte to develop the next IHRSA European Market Report.


FURTHER INFORMATION:
The European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) is the standards setting body for the European health and fitness industry.
It is a non-profit organisation, which exists to advance and promote the role of fitness training as an activity able to improve health and social conditions.
To ensure that EHFA meets its goals and objectives, it is categorised in to 4 main working groups:

• European Network of Exercise Professionals and Registers
• European Network of Fitness Employers
• Labour Market Research Group
• Training Group

EHFA BOARD MEMBERS
EHFA's Board is comprised of experts across the European health & fitness community. Collectively, the Board Members offer solid experience in the industry and represent many different types of organisations.

The EHFA Board members are as follows:

Allan Pilkington (UK) EHFA President
Paul Eigenmann (Switzerland) Secretary General
Christian Pierar (Belgium) Network of Fitness Employers Representative
Philippe Massebeuf (France) Network of Fitness Employers Representative
Paolo Adami (Italy) Training Group Representative
John Sharkey (Ireland) Training Group Representative
Cliff Collins (UK) Network of Exercise Professionals and Register Representative

IHRSA:
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is proud to
celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2005-2006. Over the past quarter of a century, the not-for-profit association has established itself as the voice of quality and innovation for the global health, racquet, and sportsclub industry representing over 7,000 clubs in 74 countries, along with over 600 industry suppliers. IHRSA is an international leader in health club industry education and research.

eNews issue 37