The Federation of Sports and Play Associations is rebranding to reconnect with its members.
While keeping the same name, the new logo and website redesign is aimed at refreshing their links with their associations.
The FSPA is an umbrella body which leads and supports its associations.
These associations cover businesses involved in the play industry, sporting goods trade and the golf sector.
As the national trade body representing 13 associations, the FSPA serves over 500 manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of sports and play equipment, clothing and apparel.
However, Mary Lubrano, FSPA communications manager, discovered that a lot of associations were unaware of the benefits they had access to.
She said: “Across the UK, there are businesses in the sports and play sector doing great things. The sports and play industry is vital to the British economy and these businesses are at the heart of one of the most vibrant, innovative and creative industries we have.
“As the UK’s federation overseeing the sector, we represent a wide variety of businesses, from start-ups to the big-name brands.
“With almost 100 years as the industry experts, we want to ensure that we are the voice of the industry.
“A lot of members were really enthusiastic about their associations but did not know about the Federation at all. They didn’t know what benefits we could offer, they didn’t understand the structure, didn’t understand that the Federation was this umbrella body over the associations and was there to pull it altogether and make it cohesive.
“So the rebrand is to unify the associations with the Federation so that we are seen as this supporting body.”
The FSPA wants to reinforce the message that there is strength in numbers, that through them their members have a bigger voice in Westminster and Europe.
Lubrano added: “As a new political and economic landscape unfolds post-Brexit, we’ll be working tirelessly to improve our support for the industry.
“We know that there’s a lot of work to be done and we’re ready.
“Our ambition is to reach out to every UK sports and play business, because together we are stronger.
“Our new strategy will ensure that we support, promote, represent, collaborate and lobby on behalf of every one of our members.
“That’s why we’re launching our bold new brand. Inspired by the world of sports and play, it will give a bigger voice to our associations and members and underpin our commitment to them.”
The FSPA also offers its members a business advice line, support, advice on exporting, jobs and recruitment, training and development, discounts and advice on funding.
To give the re-brand maximum momentum, they have launched a new website (http://www.sportsandplay.com/home) which is user-friendly and clear about they can offer.
They have also produced a new animated film which you can see on the website.
You can follow the FSPA on Twitter (@sportsandplay) and Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3203666/profile).
