The purpose of CIMSPA’s Youth Panel is to allow young adults (defined as those between the ages of 16–25) to act as advisors to the Board of Trustees, the staff team and relevant sub-committees by advocating the youth perspective to influence policy, practice and the strategic direction of CIMSPA.
The Board of Trustees delegates authority to the Youth Panel to undertake work to understand and articulate the youth perspective, and to use it to advise on the scope of CIMSPA’s strategy and services.
Youth Panel’s role
- Act as advocates of CIMSPA and the youth perspective.
- Act as representatives of the demographics, parts of the sector, CIMSPA personas etc. which align with the Panel’s previous and current experiences.
- Engage with opportunities to advocate the youth perspective and / or for personal development through networking, involvement in relevant projects, attendance at CIMSPA meetings and attendance at appropriate events on behalf of CIMSPA.
- Be open to obtaining and sharing the feedback and perspectives of other young adults, not limited to but with a focus on the sport and physical activity sector.
- Present ideas and perspectives at meetings.
- Work together collectively to agree ideas, recommendations and actions.
- Consider the implications of CIMSPA’s services and operations for young adults.
- Support CIMSPA’s vision and mission.
- Plan, review and implement decisions relating to the youth panels strategic objectives.
Youth Panel members
Members
Fran Atkinson
Fran is a Client Assistant at MKTG, working in sports sponsorship working across their VISA account for the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 team as well as their FedEx account across the UEFA Champions League supporting their Referee Mascot programme.
She is also a part-time student at Loughborough University London studying MA Leadership in Sport.
Previously, Fran has volunteered with England Netball as a Young Volunteer Representative on the England Netball London and South East Regional Management Board and member of the England Netball National Young Volunteer Group where she worked with the organisation to help better represent young people.
Fran joined the CIMSPA panel in 2023 with the hope of gaining insight from like-minded individuals from different backgrounds with the same passion for representing young people in sport.
Georgia Townsend
Georgia works for Brighton and Hove City Council as a Sport and Physical Activity Worker. Her role includes planning and delivering sport and physical activity sessions for children and young people to help them become more active. She has the ambition of providing equal opportunities for all to be physically active regardless of any barriers they may face.
Georgia graduated from the University of Brighton with a BSc Hons in Sports Business Management. Since leaving university, she has worked for Active Kent and Medway as a Sports Coordinator and at Skiltek Sport as a Sports Development Officer. Her roles have given her a wealth of knowledge and experience within the sports sector.
Georgia also plays and coaches youth football. With experience of being a coach, student, graduate and a working professional within the sports sector, Georgia is able to share different perspectives and hopes to guide the future direction of the sports industry through her role on the Youth Panel.
