BDA Press Centre
9th November 2010
New Professional Sport and Exercise Register Launched
A brand new professional register for nutrition professionals working with elite athletes has been officially launched (www.senr.org.uk).
The long-awaited Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) has been developed in partnership between the British Dietetic Association and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
SENr is a register designed to accredit suitably qualified and experienced individuals who have the competency to work autonomously as a Sport and Exercise Nutritionist with performance oriented athletes, as well as those participating in physical activity, sport and exercise for health. This category is for Full Registration.
The register also has a Graduate Registration category for those who have studied in this field and are embarking on their professional career.
The register will help in:
- Public protection, namely the sport and performance focused exercising community;
- Setting, protection and promotion of standards of services and education;
- Professional development of individuals;
- Developing the profession and its knowledge base.
SENr is also designed to help Higher Education institutions look at their current curriculums and identify ways in which they may be refocused in places to help meet the needs of those students wishing to work in the field of sport and exercise nutrition.
Speaking about the register’s launch, Clyde Williams, SENr Chairman, said:
"Top athletes and professional sportspeople take their nutritional needs extremely seriously because it is a central element in the successful preparation for and recovery from competition. Therefore it is very important that we have in place a system which ensures that those working in this field meet the highest standards of competence and professional practice."In addition, SENr will also help identify education needs and pathways for people to practise in this area, thus driving the overall standard of the profession higher."
SENr will be managed by the British Dietetic Association, and the Chief Executive, Andy Burman, added:
"This is a really exciting development and the BDA are proud to be a partner."As the 2012 London Olympics has inspired more people to take up a sport, it is expected that the number of sportspeople needing specialist nutritional advice will increase. This is the perfect time to launch SENr as this will help increase the numbers of those wanting to work in this field."
Initially, the registration to SENr will focus on the sport and performance aspect of the profession, with physical activity for health and education and research to follow. Those wishing to register on SENr can:
- Complete a Self Assessment of Competency to enable each person to check whether they have the appropriate qualification and experience;
- Submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate how they met the criteria for each of the competencies described in the Self Assessment of Competency document;
- Have their portfolios assessed and then join SENr or be given advice as to areas of development before registration is granted.
More information on SENr and details of how to register can be found at www.senr.org.uk.
ENDS
For more information/interview requests, please contact the BDA Press Office on 0870 850 2517
Notes to the Editor:
- The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936, is the professional association for registered dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with over 6,000 members. More information can be found at www.bda.uk.com.
- Registered dietitians are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
- The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, established in 1984, is the UK professional membership body for all those with an interest in the science of sport and exercise. More information can be found at www.bases.org.uk.
- Registration with SENr can provide more than just a ‘badge’ to enhance professional image. SENr registration will mean:
- competencies which describe the knowledge and skills of good practise in sport and exercise nutrition have been met;
- recognised and approved qualifications are held;
- members are fully committed to ongoing professional development;
- a professional code of conduct is being followed.
SENr registrants will also receive:
- Web Listing
All SENr registrants are listed on the SENr website so that members of the public and employers can make contact. The listing show agreed contact details and areas of expertise. - Public Awareness
Raising the profile of registrants to the public and employers. - Professional Indemnity Insurance
Up to £3 million. - Dietetics Today
Free subscription to the UK’s leading magazine for nutritional professionals. - Free Access
Access to the British Dietetic Association Specialist Group Sports Dietitians UK (www.sportsdietitians.org.uk) and to the British Dietetic Association member’s only section of their website. - Discounts
Generous discounts to British Dietetic Association events and courses and a reduced price to purchase the Manual of Dietetic Practice and the Manual of Paediatric Dietetics.