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Real stories
Find out what it’s like to work in the sport and physical activity sector from professionals in a wide range of careers.
Liam McCaffrey MCIMSPA (Chartered)
“I operate as a freelance practitioner and for the NHS, as such people come to me for a variety of reasons such as to assist with a broad spectrum of medical conditions. Two of my clients currently have cancer and I want to make sure I can offer them the best possible service. One of those people is a 13-year-old boy who has a prosthetic limb, this further illustrates the wide-ranging and broad spectrum of people and conditions that I work with. No two days are the same and I love it, it keeps me on my toes and ensures my continuous professional development is relevant to my community.”Chartered
Liam McCaffrey MCIMSPA (Chartered)
“I operate as a freelance practitioner and for the NHS, as such people come to me for a variety of reasons such as to assist with a broad spectrum of medical conditions. Two of my clients currently have cancer and I want to make sure I can offer them the best possible service. One of those people is a 13-year-old boy who has a prosthetic limb, this further illustrates the wide-ranging and broad spectrum of people and conditions that I work with. No two days are the same and I love it, it keeps me on my toes and ensures my continuous professional development is relevant to my community.”Chartered
Jessica Christensen, FCIMSPA (Chartered)
“As a woman in sport, getting this level of recognition means I don’t feel as though I must constantly justify myself. I have a newfound self-confidence and feel I’m able to take part in those higher-level conversations. For example, I’ve recently been working with some external parties on projects to address public health and environmental policy, and how nature-based solutions can address that. Having chartered status means I can just say what I have to say and then sign off without having to spend time convincing people that I have the seniority.”Chartered
Jessica Christensen, FCIMSPA (Chartered)
“As a woman in sport, getting this level of recognition means I don’t feel as though I must constantly justify myself. I have a newfound self-confidence and feel I’m able to take part in those higher-level conversations. For example, I’ve recently been working with some external parties on projects to address public health and environmental policy, and how nature-based solutions can address that. Having chartered status means I can just say what I have to say and then sign off without having to spend time convincing people that I have the seniority.”Chartered
Kate Mills, Youth Panel Member
“The sporting landscape is very diverse, and it’s great to be able to develop and broaden my understanding of all the different careers you can have within the sector as well as to see what goes on at a government level, influencing the policy and changing the industry. [...] Being able to jump in and help in any way with different groups within the wider sporting landscape is something I find really fulfilling.”Committee
Karl Paterson MCIMSPA
“It’s all about creating communities and experiences – I really like the way leisure centres have evolved to become hubs for the local community. Wellbeing is more prominent now. By giving people access to opportunities and groups such as those we provide helps to fight against social isolation, creates support networks and is a safe space for people to relax and talk about certain challenges they may face.”Member
Karl Paterson MCIMSPA
“It’s all about creating communities and experiences – I really like the way leisure centres have evolved to become hubs for the local community. Wellbeing is more prominent now. By giving people access to opportunities and groups such as those we provide helps to fight against social isolation, creates support networks and is a safe space for people to relax and talk about certain challenges they may face.”Member
Conor O'Hanlon, Nuffield Health
“I want to make what I'm doing in the health industry, my own brand, my own version of it. I want that to be on a bigger scale. I want to help as many people as I possibly can. I want to be working with cancer patients, cardio patients, [...] just anyone I can help. [...] That's the dream for me.”Partner
Rowland Omamor, Committee Member
“I’ve been in the sector now for 24 years. My first job in leisure was as a food and beverage manager for a large leisure chain, and I worked my way through from there. I think I’ve done every single role within the leisure centre, from sales to general manager to operations.”Committee
Rowland Omamor, Committee Member
“I’ve been in the sector now for 24 years. My first job in leisure was as a food and beverage manager for a large leisure chain, and I worked my way through from there. I think I’ve done every single role within the leisure centre, from sales to general manager to operations.”Committee
Louise Walden-Edwards
“My clients tend to be ice skaters who look to me as a reliable source of both fitness and strengthening coaching, along with wellbeing support. This, coupled with providing commentary to thousands of spectators means there is a lot of pressure to ensure my knowledge is at least on the curve, if not ahead of it. It’s super important for me to ensure I’m constantly refreshing and building my skill set so I can confidently adapt what I learn and make it relevant to my clients.”Member
Louise Walden-Edwards
“My clients tend to be ice skaters who look to me as a reliable source of both fitness and strengthening coaching, along with wellbeing support. This, coupled with providing commentary to thousands of spectators means there is a lot of pressure to ensure my knowledge is at least on the curve, if not ahead of it. It’s super important for me to ensure I’m constantly refreshing and building my skill set so I can confidently adapt what I learn and make it relevant to my clients.”Member
Emma Carse
“I think it’s important to stay up to date – so much changes all the time. I’m someone who’s very much willing to keep learning; my Instagram name is ‘Emma Improvement’. Self-improvement is crucial; if there’s an opportunity to keep me and my clients progressing, then I will take it. Right now, I want to focus on making sure my service is strong and that my business is where I want it to be. I want to ensure that I’m providing my clients with the kind of support and information that they need.”Member
Emma Carse
“I think it’s important to stay up to date – so much changes all the time. I’m someone who’s very much willing to keep learning; my Instagram name is ‘Emma Improvement’. Self-improvement is crucial; if there’s an opportunity to keep me and my clients progressing, then I will take it. Right now, I want to focus on making sure my service is strong and that my business is where I want it to be. I want to ensure that I’m providing my clients with the kind of support and information that they need.”Member
Wayne Glover, Time4Sport
“I’ve always loved and enjoyed sport, but I was never good enough to become a professional. So, instead I decided to provide sporting activities for people locally and understand the benefits of participation not only just physically, but mentally as well. My goal was to offer opportunities for local children, young people and families to be physically active.”Partner
Susie Kahlich, Pretty Deadly Self Defense
“I think that any trainer delivering fitness classes or coaching is more than just a trainer. It’s not like people are just showing up and you’re telling them to do jumping jacks – you’re having conversations and getting to know people and their habits. Some of that information you really need in order to be a good trainer, but we teach professionals how to establish a boundary.”Partner