Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Glenn Tepper, ITTF Deputy Chief Executive Officer, who has been a member of the ASDEG Working Group since inauguration in 2012, was present, alongside Leandro Olvech, ITTF Director-Development, Michael Brown ITTF and Africa-Oceania Development Co-ordinator and Daniela Gomes, ITTF Development, Education and Training Projects Officer.
Notably the ASDEG group played major roles in promoting the Women’s Leadership Forum promoted by the International Olympic Committee, as well as being prominent in the joint project organised by the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) and the Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU).
On behalf of the International Table Tennis Federation, four women have attended the Women’s Leadership Forum, whilst there has also been representation at the ICCE-NSSU Coach Developer Academy; an application for attendance in 2017 has been submitted.
A joint approach was very much the theme in Lausanne to give International Federations the best possible opportunity to promote projects in the most effective and efficient manner.
The group agreed that in the next 12 months they key actions are:
……….co-ordinate a second cross-sport coach educators’ course
……….develop a hybrid International Federation Online Coach Education System
……….conduct a seminar / programme on administration for International Federation managers
……….look further into Sport for All programmes focusing on sport development;
……….create networking opportunities for International Federations to exchange share best practices within the Maison du Sport International (MSI)
……….develop a module to help new National Federations grow into their sport
……….focus on safeguarding of athletes, in particular on sexual harassment
……….create a matrix of International Federation training centres across the world and
……….co-ordinate a third Women in Sport Leadership Forum in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee
The Forum highlighted the roles of International Federations in developing sport at all levels; success stories involving projects in schools as well as those involving refugees and developing countries were discussed with coach education being high on the agenda.
It was agreed to support the mission of the Youth Olympic Games to develop young elite athletes with a strong focus being directed towards education and culture.
Additionally, Olympic Solidarity priorities for 2017 to 2020 and the need to protect clean athletes were endorsed.
The next ASDEG Forum is planned for May 2018.