Sean Holt, the interim CEO of the Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA) says the new body will look to draw members from a much broader cohort than its forerunners.

Speaking to Leisure Management, Holt said that while the core membership will still be made up of those employed by sports and fitness operators and suppliers, the institute also hopes to attract professionals working across the entire physical activity sector - such as people working in research, policy, administration and events management.

The broadening of the net is part of IMSPA's aim to represent the whole of the active leisure sector and Holt said that alongside raising IMSPA's profile within the sector, membership recruitment would be a key focus for the board of directors.

IMSPA was formed as a merger of Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) and The Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure (ISPAL).

While looking to expand its reach within the active leisure sector, Holt admitted that as part of the merger, there will be less involvement with parks - formerly a key element for ISPAL.

"I think it's very clear that the parks people are now working with the likes of GreenSpace and that's absolutely fine," said Holt.

"We can work very closely with GreenSpace, but we're very clear our remit is around sport and physical activity."

He added that there will also be less direct lobbying.

"We're not set up to be a lobbyist organisation. Our role is more about being a critical friend to government, to support initiatives and policy proposals, but also to challenge in a constructive way on behalf of the industry where we feel there's a need."

For the full interview with Sean Holt, please click here for Leisure Management, Issue 4 2011, p.34.