[Source: SportAccord] Raffaele Chiulli, the President of SportAccord and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), underlined the importance of collaborating around “a bold vision” as he spoke alongside Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, at a high-profile forum yesterday.

Dr Chiulli was invited to participate as an expert speaker in a Plenary Session entitled ‘Development of Sport in Integration with the World Community’ at the Russia – Country of Sports International Sports Forum, which has brought more than 1,500 attendees to the city of Nizhny Novgorod.

In the Plenary Session, which was moderated by Pavel Kolobkov, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation, Dr Chiulli and his fellow panellists discussed a range of vital issues, including how sport can be used as a unifying principle in the modern world, sport’s principles as the basis for harmonious human development, and the ‘Sport for All’ concept of promoting the role of a healthy lifestyle as a factor in the successful social and economic development of countries.

Dr Chiulli, who is also President of the International Powerboating Federation (UIM) and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), highlighted the importance of “opportunity, accessibility and sustainability” in helping to improve sports participation levels.

“For many members of GAISF, this means we must not be afraid to take sport out of the traditional stadiums and into the streets,” Dr Chiulli said. “Our role at GAISF is to be the United Voice of Sports. Together, we have 125 members, which is much more powerful than one International Sport Federation on its own. Together, we can share best practice and improve sport globally, and together we can solve and reverse the issue of declining participation.”

In underlining the need for a collaborative approach, Dr Chiulli added: “We are always stronger when we stand together and, ultimately, this is the only way we can all learn from each other. Of course, it is not enough simply to bring people together. We must develop tools for learning and sharing. We must have a programme of activities that makes us think and react. As with any change, it is important to bring together all the main actors around a bold vision.”

Alongside President Putin, Dr Chiulli shared the stage with Olga Golodets, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation; Ivo Ferriani, President, International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF); Julio Maglione, President of FINA (International Swimming Federation); René Fasel, President of IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation); and Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations).

After the Forum, President Chiulli was amongst an exclusive group of international sports executives invited to meet with the President of the Russian Federation to discuss about how to shape the future of sport.

Dr Chiulli will provide the Opening Address at SportAccord’s upcoming International Federation (IF) Forum 2019 from 28-30 October 2019 in Lausanne. The IF Forum 2019 Programme will focus on ‘Athlete Centred Sport’.

At Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 from 10-12 December in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dr Chiulli will once again set the scene with opening remarks before participating in a Panel Session entitled ‘The Future of International Sports Governance’ under the conference’s umbrella theme of ‘A United Approach to the International Sport Landscape in the Americas’.

The next edition of the annual SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit will take place from 19-24 April 2020 in Beijing, China.

For further information about the IF Forum, please download the brochure here or visit: https://www.sportaccord.sport/if-forum. For further information about Regional SportAccord, click here and for further information about the SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit, click here.

Follow SportAccord, the IF Forum and Regional SportAccord via Twitter @sportaccord or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

[Source: ESPN] Community leaders, local residents, and youth gathered in Mount Druitt, Sydney on February 28 to participate in the opening of a new, multifunctional sports space dedicated to the local community and its residents. Built to Play is a global project, led by ESPN. This is the first Built to Play project undertaken by ESPN in Sydney and the eighth globally.

The courts and surrounding area, refurbished with the help of community residents and ESPN and Disney employees, will provide a safe place to play for the surrounding community, as well as offer ongoing programming using the power of sports to educate young people on key local issues. Sport for development organizations, Coaches Across Continents and Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) NSW will deliver programs on the new space.

Hosted by ESPN sports reporter and commentator, Stephanie Brantz, the event was attended by Haydn Arndt, General Manager, ESPN ANZ and Disney Media Distribution, along with ESPN and Disney employees and community volunteers who helped build the space, as well as local residents and their families. The celebration was comprised of cultural performances, special recognition of community leaders who volunteered their time, as well as sports matches open to the community.

“At ESPN, we believe that sport has the ability to transform lives, and we are committed to providing resources to enable kids in Sydney to play sports,” said Haydn Arndt. “We’re pleased to bring this global project to Mt. Druitt and to collaborate with love.fútbol, PCYC NSW, and Coaches Across Continents, to create this space in a community where there is a need, as it can truly make a difference.”  

love.fútbol, which is known for building community sports facilities all over the world, played a key role in selecting Mount Druitt, Sydney, for the new space based on need, population served and socio-economic status. The unemployment rate is over 13% higher than the Greater Sydney average, alongside a number of social challenges in the area including drugs and alcohol abuse, high crime levels, insufficient transportation and limited services for youth.

“We are fortunate to have such significant support from ESPN, Disney, love.fútbol and Coaches Across Continents who share our vision of empowering young people,” said Dominic Teakle, CEO, PCYC NSW. “Participation in sport is a powerful tool for change. It allows young people to feel part of a team and that sense of belonging gives them the support to face their challenges both physical and mental.  PCYC sits at the heart of most NSW communities and this facility will enable us to better serve the community of Mount Druitt.”