Tim Crooks - 14/02/2008
The participants for year two of UK Sport’s International Leadership Programme were officially welcomed to the unique personal development scheme yesterday during an induction event at the Oval Cricket Ground in London. Thirteen sports administrators from across the UK will also be guided by a new intake of mentors who will offer a new perspective and vast experience in addition to the different international sporting processes and skills covered by the programme.
One of the five key elements of UK Sport’s Worldwide Impact Strategy is “investing in the leaders of tomorrow” and the International Leadership Programme is aimed at developing people within the UK with the potential to exert significant influence by reaching higher positions within the governance and administration of international sport.
The programme aims to work with sporting organisations within the UK to help them achieve their influence and governance goals internationally. The programme will also evolve throughout the year to focus on the aspirations and situations the participants will encounter in the operating environment of international sport.
Snowsport GB’s Chief Executive, Mark Simmers, has been selected for this year’s programme and sees many opportunities ahead to learn from other sports in developing Snowsport GB’s presence both domestically and internationally:
“With a key focus on the Vancouver 2010 Games, any chance to develop our relationships internationally will be a great advantage to managing and developing Snowsport GB’s elite performance programme. We are a relatively small federation in the world of snow sports so increasing our representation and influence skills will help us to punch above our weight and to develop a more proactive approach to promoting our successes on a domestic level."
A number of experts will also join the programme throughout the year to share their insight on creating success for the UK in international sport. These include Louise Martin CBE, who led Scotland’s successful bid to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, and former Minister for Sport Richard Caborn MP.
Launched in 2006, the International Leadership Programme is part of UK Sport’s commitment to continuous improvement of world class personnel and is one of a number of unique and tailored people development programmes.
Additional mentors included in the 2008 International Leadership Programme are:
Niels De Vos – UK Athletics; Louise Martin – Commonwealth Games Federation; John Scott – UK Sport; Alistair Gray – Scottish Hockey Union; David Sparkes – British Swimming; Jonathan Hall – The Football Association; Sarah Lewis – International Ski Federation and Terry Burwell – The Rugby Football Union.
