The 2021 Annual General Meeting saw a changing of the guard with the election of 3 new Directors to the Board of The Society of Sports Therapists. Dr Lynsey Northeast, Senior Lecturer at Solent University, Kristian Weaver Senior Lecturer at Edge Hill University and Michael Cole, Senior Lecturer at the University of East London, all take their seats alongside current Directors Dr Kevin Campbell-Karn, Keith Waldon and Tom Cresswell.
After 31 memorable years as Chair of the Society, Professor Graham N. Smith has moved to the role of President where he will continue to champion the excellence of the Society and its further development. Dr Campbell-Karn, Associate Professor at Buckinghamshire New University and previously Vice Chair, moves up to Acting Chair. New roles for all Directors will be agreed at the forthcoming November Board meeting.
The new directors all have rich and diverse backgrounds working in Sport and Exercise Therapy, alongside their roles in academia and each brings a passion for developing the Society, working closely with Members and building on the existing strong foundations. All 3 new directors are former members of the Society’s Communications Group and Dr Northeast has also been a member of the Universities and Colleges Liaison Group.
As per the Articles of Association, the election combined voting through attendance at the AGM together with proxy votes which had to be returned by post. Turnout for AGMs historically has never been high and the fuel shortage impacted members further, but the meeting nevertheless was still quorate.
The AGM saw the passing of a resolution giving the facility for future general meetings to take place online. It is hoped that this will enable more Members to engage with the Society and the processes that are vital to its smooth running and development.
It is an important time in the life of the Society and all of the Directors are looking forward to working with Members, staff and all stake-holders.
Acting Chair Dr Campbell-Karn said:
“It was so pleasing to see a good turnout given the fuel crisis. It will be exciting though to move forwards with future meetings being able to have an online attendance, as the Board are keen to get as many Members involved as possible, no matter where they are. With the voting in of 3 new Directors, I am extremely excited to explore how each of us can bring something unique to the Society as we continue to carve our niche within the sector. I am confident that with our Board of Directors, the future is very bright.”
To view Board Director profiles visit:
https://thesst.org/about-us/board-of-directors/