The application for the development of a level four qualification for the REPs has been submitted to government for consideration. The fourth level will be applied to the highest level of patient referral categories covered by the National Assurance Framework for clinical exercise referrals.

The new level has been requested by the Register, and is being developed by a newly-formed clinical Technical Expert Group, comprising health professionals and fitness experts. The main Technical Expert Group is a working group that supports both the REPs and SPRITO, which jointly administers the Register with the FIA.

Since its launch in January 2002, the REPs has enjoyed growing support from operators across the UK.

Registrar Cliff Collins says: 'The Register has been extremely well received and there has been no need to convince people of the necessity to join - the industry has a very mature attitude towards the need for registration.'

Throughout the year, over 10,000 members - a third of the industry - have paid to join the Register and thousands more are committed to joining. The REPs has created a clear career path for fitness professionals. It already has three operating levels, and the development of Level Four will make representation more comprehensive.

The REPs' board of directors and trustees continues to work to promote the organisation. The board, chaired by shadow Minister for Sport John Greenway MP, includes Michael Harbottle, solicitor; Stephen Studd, CEO of SPRITO and Skills Active UK; Andrée Deane, executive chair of the FIA; Brigid Simmonds, CEO of BISL; and David Courteen, managing director of Fitness Express (Crown Sports PLC). Other members include Steve Philpott, managing director of Face to Face Communications, and Margaret Peggie, vice chair of the Central Council for Physical Recreation.

In 2002, the REPs established strong links with the Australian Fitness Register, with which it has a mutual recognition policy. It is continuing to build beneficial relationships with registers in New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Holland.

Collins explains the aims for the coming year: '2003 will see a continued drive to get fitness professionals on to the Register. There will be new initiatives to educate people about the benefits of joining - we intend to start targeting colleges via a road show. We'll also be running regional workshops, starting in Sunderland in March.'