EIS SET STANDARDS HIGH FOR 2009

2nd January 2009

As 2009 begins the English Institute of Sport is set to build on the experiences of the Beijing Games to ensure the ongoing provision of world class sports science and sports medical services is delivered across sports.

EIS National Director Conor O’Shea shares his aspirations for 2009...

“The whole world was watching as British athletes shone at the Beijing Games last year and now expectations are high for athletes across sports to keep on performing to their best in the milestone events in the run up to London 2012” says O’Shea.

“The strategic review undertaken by UK Sport in consultation with the EIS in 2008 enabled us to be in the best possible shape for London 2012, which for the EIS means structurally, operationally and financially to support the NGB’s and their athletes. The success in Beijing indicated we were doing many things well and the EIS must now build on these in the run up to 2012 in order to provide the world class sport science and sports medicine services that our athletes and NGB’s deserve and demand and to truly be recognised as the provider and employer of choice for both NGB’s and practitioners” he adds.

With the confirmed level of investment by UK Sport in the EIS as provider of choice for sports science and sports medical support services in December, negotiations with NGB’s are underway to ensure needs of athletes are met.

Three Regional Directors begin their roles this month; Richard Parker who will oversee the Southern region comprising of the East, South East and London sites, David Tillotson in the Central region overseeing the West Midlands, East Midlands and South West sites and Peter Elliot in the Northern region overseeing Yorkshire, the North West and the North East sites. Having all worked as Regional Managers with the EIS, their move to the Regional Director role should allow for more effective communications, a more consistent service provision and closer working relationships across the regions.

“We are delighted to welcome Richard, David and Peter into their new roles as Regional Directors. These appointments  in conjunction with Kevin Thompson’s appointment as Director of Sport Science, joining Rod Jaques (Director of Medicine) and Helen Martin (Director of Business & Finance) within the Senior management team allows us to be confident that we have a structure being put in place both nationally and regionally which will enhance the service delivery that the EIS provides” explains O’Shea.

“Following UK Sport’s funding announcement in December, we are now putting in place plans with sports to ensure they maximise the services available. We hope to keep developing our team of over 300 practitioners (employees and contractors) at the EIS and build on the fantastic work which has been done since the EIS began in 2002” he adds.