30 Years of BASES 

I joined the British Society of Sports Psychology, from 1979 and have been a member of the related bodies ever since. The topical interests when the British Association of Sports Science (BASS) emerged in 1984 were predominantly about motivation and skill acquisition in sport, largely reflecting the College/University curriculum at the time. Andy Smith, as Chair of BASES (1998-2000), and having worked in the fitness industry, had the foresight to initiate a new BASES Exercise Science Special Committee, with me as Chair. Having completed my PhD at the University of Toronto in Community Health in 1989, supervised by Roy Shephard and others, and led the first GP Exercise Referral Scheme randomised controlled trial (in E. Sussex)(1983-5), I was tasked on behalf of BASES to co-led the development of a National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF), commissioned by the Department of Health. The photo shows a picture of the multi-disciplinary NQAF working group in 1998 (with BASES members, Andy Smith, Ken Fox, Trudi Grant, Chris Riddoch and myself). After consultation from a very wide range of professional bodies and charities a draft NQAF emerged in 1998-9. The government at the time had an election to face the following year so the whole launch of the NQAF was delayed a year, apparently for fear of the media repercussions of being linked to a document advocating the ‘prescription of exercise’. This marked the start of BASES partnering with many health-related organisations. For example, I represented BASES in the emergence of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) the health, fitness and physical activity sector, led by Skills Active in 2002, in response to a rapidly growing fitness industry. A robust framework around qualifications, insurance, conduct and ongoing training and development emerged in an attempt to professionalise the sector. This work has obviously progressed hugely, with many partnerships and accreditation developments.

After completing my term with the BASES Exercise Science Special Committee I took over the role of Editor in Chief, with Dorothee Alfermann, of the FEPSAC led journal, Psychology of Sport & Exercise (2003-7), replacing Stuart Biddle. The photo shows us together.

I couldn’t begin to capture the national and global influence that BASES members have had, and I think this is worth celebrating after 30 years (and even further back in time). I have only captured just two examples, but above all, friendships and collegiality have provided the most vivid memories. Cycling from Lands End to John ‘o Groats with Andy (as part of his rehabilitation from brain surgery) in 2005 would be hard to beat.