Fitness Wales - The Governing Body for Exercise and Fitness

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PRIZE DRAW WINNER The lucky winner of a free place on the Salsa/Fitness Weekender in Llandrindod Wells from 4th- 7th April 2008 is Tracey Nicholls. It was tremendous having such a good prize as an incentive to everyone to complete their evaluation forms at the Spring Spectacular. Lucky Tracy will be receiving all the information from the organisers – Unity Dance – direct. We really do value your feedback and views. However its still not too late to let us know what you thought of the event – or to give us ideas of what you’d like to see in the Autumn Tour. Just use the contact form on the web or give us a ring any time on: 029 2057 5155.
NEW 'INSPIRATION' AWARD FROM FITNESS WALES IN MEMORY OF MURDERED FITNESS INSTRUCTOR LAVERNE RITCH A Cardiff fitness instructor stabbed to death on holiday in the United States last August, has been given a posthumous award for his contribution to sport. The first Inspiration In Fitness Award from Fitness Wales went to Lavern Ritch and was received on his behalf by his father Louis, at the Fitness Wales Convention on February 9th. The dead man's mother, Barbara, and his two sisters, Carla and Venetta, also came to the presentation at the Welsh Institute of Sport, along with Mr Ritch's partner Sarah Taig, and family friend Geraldine Lewis. Making the award, Fitness Wales's Chair, Dena Digweed, said "Everyone was shocked and touched by the tragic death of Lavern. He was helping as usual and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We wanted to celebrate his life with this award, since he started out many years ago as a student with Fitness Wales. He was loved by everyone who knew him and had a great passion for fitness" Proudly clutching the award, Mr Ritch's father, Louis, said; " He would be so very chuffed to see this today. This award will stand right up there on the mantlepiece for everyone to see. When Laverne died, so many people called from all round the world, he touched so many lives." Girlfriend Sarah Taig, who trained in ETM with Fitness Wales two years ago, said; "It's really nice when people do things like this, as Laverne was an amazing instructor." It was the outpouring of tributes from colleagues and those he taught that led to Fitness Wales creating the new award, said FW director Mary Sheppard. "We wanted people to remember Lavern and to ensure he is not forgotten. This award really sums him up as a person - he truly was an inspiration in fitness and this award will hopefully be a lasting memorial to him." In future the award will be awarded to others who make a significant contribution to Welsh fitness. FW's Mary Sheppard said Mr Ritch embodied what an inspirational instructor should be. "He motivated everyone he worked with," she said. "When he was teaching everyone would come out with a smile on their face. People in the future can nominate somebody in the fitness business to receive the award but there's no guarantee we will give the award every year - people will really have to earn it," said Mary Sheppard. "Lavern was a little bit special".
LEVEL 3 STUDIO INSTRUCTOR IS HERE AT LAST! Both Studio and Pilates Instructors have been waiting to be recognised at Level 3 for some time. Fitness Wales are launching the first Level 3 courses in May and June. You’ll need a 3 day theory top up and then a practical module in either ETM (aerobics, step or body conditioning which is 3 days) or Pilates (2 days). You obviously need to have a Level 2 equivalent in either discipline to attend the upgrade - although a full Level 3 Pilates is also in the pipeline. The L3 theory for Studio Instructors starts on May 16th in Cardiff and places are strictly limited.		L3 Studio Instructor Training Dates L3 Theory - 16/17/18 May 2008 L3 ETM Practical - 6/7/13 June 2008 L3 Pilates Practical Upgrade - 20/21 June 2008 The L3 Theory & ETM application forms will be available shortly.
		L3 Pilates upgrade Price Comparison Table This table is based on instructors who already hold a L2 qualification
		Provider	£	saving
		Fitness Wales	500.00	0.00
		Future Fit	915.80	415.80
		Northern Fitness	1,840.00	1,340.00
		Body Control Pilates	2,695.00	2,195.00
		Pilates Institute	2,800.00	2,300.00
CYQ Exercise Referral Update Wales is the only European country to have a Government funded project in every local authority area. There has never been better time for instructors to break into this field. This 6 day course is aimed at Gym Instructors who want to be at the leading edge in terms of referral schemes by obtaining the only REPs recognised qualification. Instructors who have already achieved a GP Referral Qualification may opt to attend the 3 day fast track course. For more info click here or download an application here. APA - Accreditation of Prior Achievement CYQ regulations state that you must hold the L3 Advanced Instructor Award to receive an Exercise Referral Certificate, however, it may be possible to accredit previous achievement (APA), ie. sports related degree or other qualification that has put you at level 3 on the REPs. In order to put yourself forward for level 3 APA please download an application form here.
POSTAGE Would members please note that when sending any work into the office you need to get it weighed first to ensure that you have the correct postage; please also include your full postal address on the back of the envelope. A first class stamp on an A4 letter is not sufficient. Fitness Wales is regularly having to pay post office surcharges on members mail with insufficient postage on. From 1st October we will no longer pay these surcharges. As a result this may result in your correspondence being held-up at a sorting office or being returned to you and results being delayed.	KEEP UP TO DATE Click here to download the diary and information of all Fitness Wales courses and upcoming events! LOOKING FOR WORK? LEISURE CENTRE AND CLUBS IN WALES NOW REGULARLY ADVERTISE THEIR VACANCIES WITH US – see links at the top of this page. FITNESS FOCUS – see members area to download the latest and back issues.	WE WANT YOUR NEWS Success stories, achievements, personal profiles, community projects, career milestones, news item, stories (funny or thought provoking), gripes, comments .... we want to hear about them! We're always on the look-out for items of interest to feature right here on the Fitness ales website and in our Fitness Focus newsletters. So, get thinking, and then click here to e-mail the team with your contribution(s). CHOREOGRAPHY NOTES. The 39 steps – a 32 count combination with 7 variations for you to experiment with. Choreographed by Step expert – Louise Shephard – ideas that are ready to “take and use” tonight. Click here to download - MS Word Doc (52k)