Industry Shorts: Cimspa, Rlwc2021, RFU

The Chartered Institute for the Management for Sport and Physical Activity, CIMSPA, has launched a new major training initiative, funded by Sport England.

The organisation has launched ReActivate, an online training platform, which aims to ensure those working or volunteering in the sport, fitness, leisure and physical activity sector are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to return to work or coaching after lockdown eases further.

The platform will provide online training content, and will cover areas including risk management, social distancing, cleaning and use of equipment. Users will also be given a CIMSPA ‘Covid-Safe’ training certificate on completion.

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 and International Rugby League have launched an invitation to tender for host broadcast services for the tournament.

The World Cup will take place across England next year, and the successful organisation will be responsible for the production and distribution of broadcast coverage for 45 matches at the tournament, for both RLWC2021 and the Rights Holding Broadcasters.

The BBC, who have broadcast rights in the UK, will produce the remaining 16 matches. The broadcaster will show every minute of the tournament – which includes men’s, women’s, and wheelchair competitions – across its platforms.

The RFU is facing ‘short-term impact’ of £107 million in lost revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to its CEO Bill Sweeney.

In a letter sent to the rugby community, Sweeney said the organisation would have to make ‘difficult decisions’ and that it was envisating a ‘four to five year recovery’. In order to ensure a sustainability, he proposed cutting 139 roles within the organisation.

British Athletics has announced that World silver medallist Imani-Lara Lansiquot as the Athlete Lead for its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advocates Group.

The group was launched by former sprinter Donna Fraser in 2018, a year after she was appointed the organisation’s Equality, Diversity and Engagement Lead, and works to support the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, maternity and pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.