Sprinting into 2012

Well, our Olympic year is finally here. And whilst it we may only be three weeks in to January, it’s all systems go at the FIA, where we already have lots to look forward to over the coming months.

Amid the predictable media flurry of January fitness fad stories, the FIA has sprinted into the new year, with the nationwide launch of a health and wellbeing programme with a difference.

A fantastic corporate partnership kicked off this month between the FIA’s Shift into Sports programme and the UK’s largest entertainment and communications company, Sky - a partnership that delivers a newly engaged audience to health and fitness operators across the country. 

We launched Shift into Sports in 2010, in partnership with Sport England, the Mayor of London, Addison Lee and our technology partner Haulmont. The programme offers sport and fitness activities supplied by FIA members, at reduced cost and off-peak hours to suit shift workers. The involvement of Sky now takes this nationwide – rolling the programme out to nearly 17,000 Sky employees.

It really is a win—win situation for all: employees can access brilliant fitness deals which fit around their shifts; their company benefits from happy, healthy and productive employees as a result and FIA members gain the opportunity to increase their footfall during off-peak hours.

Partnerships such as this will be key to the work of the FIA and our industry over the coming year, as all eyes turn to the UK to see whether we can deliver on ambitious Olympic legacy targets. Watch this space for announcements about future projects and partnerships which will mean we can rise to the challenge.

This month we also announced the dates and venues for the FIA’s annual Flame Conference, which will take place on 27th June. Any previous Flame Conference delegate will tell you – this is an event not to be missed! This year Flame is coming to Sheffield – where the magnificent Magna Centre will host the main conference. Of course, there is also the FIA Golf Day on 26th June (start practising that swing now!) and the Ball of Fire – I am already looking forward to being on stage to announce the winners of this year’s Flame Awards.

Finally, as the now world-renowned and instantly iconic London 2012 brand takes over the UK as the Olympics hots up, the FIA’s rebrand exercise will be in full swing, as we look to better position ourselves for what the physical activity sector can achieve in 2012 and beyond.

I hope you will follow myself and guest bloggers from the FIA team over the next 12 months. You can also join me on Twitter and LinkedIn – remember folks, the future is digital!