Inaugural Commonwealth Sports Summit set to engage, challenge and inspire
6 July 2016 - In exactly three months, and for the first time, sports leaders and stakeholders from across Canada and the Commonwealth’s 71 nations and territories will come together for the inaugural Commonwealth Sports Summit, to be held on 6 October in Edmonton, Alberta, as part of the Commonwealth Games Federation’s 3-day General Assembly.
As highlighted in Transformation 2022 – the CGF’s strategic blueprint– the annual gathering of the Commonwealth Sports Movement’s global membership will open its doors to external sporting partners and stakeholders as part of an ambitious and topical day-long conference.The conference theme – “It’s Within Us” – heralds a programme of keynotes, contributions, workshops and panel discussions focused on governance, organisational culture, integrity, youth, human rights and sport for development and peace. The summit aims to help deliver the CGF’s vision to connect, engage and inspire the Commonwealth and beyond to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities through sport. Speakers and contributors confirmed so far include:
- Carla Qualtrough PC, MP, retired Paralympic swimmer and now Canada’s Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
- Baroness Patricia Scotland, the newly-elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat; and
- Chief Ava Hill, Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River and strategic advisor on the Aboriginal Leadership Partnership of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
A number of Commonwealth Games Associations will also take to the stage to share their learnings and models of best practice.
Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “Innovative and collaborative partnerships and open and courageous discussions are at the heart of what we do. I hope the newly-launched Commonwealth Sports Summit will be an inspiring and engaging conversation with sports leaders from across Canada and the broader Commonwealth – and I am so grateful to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the many other esteemed speakers and contributors, who will support us in nurturing and developing the Commonwealth Sport Movement now and into the future.”
Commonwealth Games Canada President Richard Powers said: “Canada has a history of “firsts” in Commonwealth Sport including hosting the first Commonwealth Games in Hamilton in 1930 and showcasing para-sports at a Games for the very first time, when they were an exhibition event in 1994. Continuing this tradition we are delighted to host the first Commonwealth Sport Summit.”
The Summit, taking place at Edmonton’s Chateau Lacombe hotel, will be hosted by the multi-award winning Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s sports anchor, and Commonwealth and Olympic Games TV veteran, Scott Russell.
The Commonwealth Sports Summit, and 2016 CGF General Assembly, is delivered in partnership with Commonwealth Games Canada and the City of Edmonton. Individuals interested in the participating in the Commonwealth Sport Summit can register at www.commonwealthgames.ca on a first-come, first-served at the Early Bird Price of CAD$149 (prior to 12 August 2016).
For CGF:
Martin Reynolds
m.reynolds@thecgf.com
+44 7789 772619
For CGC:
Brian MacPherson
brian@commonwealthgames.ca
+1-613-244-6868 Ext: 226
