iSportconnect, the world’s largest global private network of sports business executives, is delighted to announce the Sports Performance Masterclass will be making its return to London on 26^th April, in partnership with Elite Performance Partners.

Les Reed, Executive Director at Southampton Football Club and Ged Roddy, Director of Youth at the Premier League, have been confirmed as the first panellists for the second edition of the event.

The iSportconnect Sports Performance Masterclass successfully debuted in London in 2015 with senior sport performance professionals from across the sports industry attending what was an informative and thought-provoking event.

The event will once again gather industry professionals to discuss and share best practice on sports performance and discuss the latest issues in the sector.

As last year, it will be expertly moderated by David Slemen, Managing Director of Elite Performance Partners, the recruitment business specialising in placing senior leaders and expert practitioners into elite sports teams, governing bodies and federations.

Ged Roddy has been Director of Youth at the Premier League since 2009. In that time, he has overseen the overhaul of the academy system with the introduction of the Elite Player Performance Plan three years ago. The EPPP represents a £350 million investment by Clubs into youth development.

Ged was previously Director of Sport at the University of Bath where he created a £38 million investment in sporting facilities at the university campus.

Ged has served on the board of UK sport prior to London 2012 and has previously held the post of Deputy Chair of Sport England. He was awarded the MBE in 2000 for his contribution to sport.

Les Reed became Executive Director at Southampton F.C. in May 2010. Southampton F.C. has become one of the leading examples in football of how to align a club successfully from the board to the players with a modern “whole club approach”.

Les has coached England at every level in World and European Championships and is also a former Technical Director to The Football Association. At club level, he coached Charlton Athletic F.C. gaining promotion to the Premier League in 1998 and Fulham F.C where he was also Technical Director.

Alongside his coaching experience, Les also has the experience of managing multi-million pound budgets and being a Director on the Board in a top football club.

Save the Date: 26^th April

Invitation Policy: The Sports Performance Masterclass is an exclusive invite only event to senior industry executives and other similar positions at governing bodies, federations, teams/clubs and brands only.

To register your interest please contact Elyse Gallacher at elyse.gallacher@isportconnect.com

Sports Agencies, professional service providers & suppliers, please contact Nick Volante for limited sponsorship opportunities.

In partnership with:

Global Partners:

               

{jcomments on}

FIFA Presidential Candidate Gianni Infantino has been given a boost in his election race after winning the support of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

The backing from CONMEBOL, ambulance the governing body for 10 Associations in the region, comes after the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) and the UEFA Executive Committee also pledged their support to Infantino’s candidacy.

“I am honoured to have the unanimous support of my colleagues at CONMEBOL and I’d like to thank them, along with colleagues from UNCAF, UEFA and the many other Football Associations that have declared their support for my candidacy and my vision to take FIFA and Football Forward,” Infantino said.

“I have met and discussed the future of FIFA and the global game with many Football heads all over the world in recent weeks and months and these conversations, based on placing Football back on the centre stage, have reaffirmed my view we are at the dawn of a new era. We must seize this opportunity and introduce a new order of responsible leadership at FIFA.

“Associations are the bedrock of our game and I look forward to meeting with more colleagues between now and 26 February to discuss how together we can deliver change and rebuild trust in FIFA. I will work tirelessly to restore FIFA’s reputation and give back to the game the credible, trustworthy governing body it deserves. Together we can take FIFA Forward.”

Infantino will be going up against fellow candidates Prince Ali, Jerome Champagne, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale to land the FIFA presidency on 26 February.

{jcomments on}

The National Football League (NFL) has appointed Tod Leiweke as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Leiweke has resigned from his position as CEO of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning to take up the role.

Full story HERE.

FINA, pills the international governing body of swimming, abortion has confirmed Abu Dhabi as the host city for the of the 2020 FINA World Swimming Championships and FINA World Aquatics Convention.

The city from the UAE beat off competition from Astana (Kazakhstan) and Lima (Peru) with the decision taken by the the FINA Bureau in Kazan today.

More info HERE.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Victorian Rugby Union (VRU) have announced the sale of the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union (MRRU) to Imperium Sports Management (ISM).

ISM will acquire all shares of the club on 1st July.

Full story HERE.

SportAccord Convention are delighted to welcome Qatar Financial Centre Authority as a Bronze Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit, viagra order taking place from 19-24 April 2015, at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.

“Ahead of the 2019 World Athletics Championship and the FIFA World Cup 2022, business opportunities are thriving across sports-related industries in Qatar.

The SportAccord Convention will allow us to engage first-hand with industry leaders, key policymakers, and service and technology suppliers looking to establish a presence in Qatar,” stated Martin Tidestrom, Business Development Director, Qatar Financial Centre Authority.

The QFC Authority is an on-shore business and financial centre located in Doha and has been instrumental in helping to develop the private sector in Qatar.

Commenting on the partnership, Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention observed, “The SportAccord Convention provides a unique opportunity for the Qatar Financial Centre Authority to fulfil its obligations and commitments, by enabling access to Sport and Industry Leaders, in one location, at the World Sport & Business Summit.

“We’re delighted to have the QFC Authority onboard and wish them every success at the Convention.”

The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors.

The 6-day event features a 3-day Conference, dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, MediaAccord, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, as well as hosting the SportAccord Sports Awards, and the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.

Airport retailer Dubai Duty Free has re-signed female tennis stars Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki as brand ambassadors.

In the past the two athletes have represented Dubai Duty Free at a number of international events to help promote the brand.

Read more HERE.

Valentin Balakhnichev has resigned as the president of the Russian Athletics Federation amid doping issues in the country.

The 65-year-old (pictured far right) announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down and officially confirmed the resignation at the federation’s executive board meeting.

Balakhnichev said: “I decided to resign. I failed to confront in full the rise of doping problems in Russia. And I understand that as the (athletics) federation president I’m personally responsible for it. That was the reason of my decision.

“I hand the federation into my followers’ hands in good condition, free of debts. Currently we have only one serious problem – it’s the doping problem.”

Balakhnichev’s deputy Vadim Zelichenok has been placed in temporary charge of the athletics federation until elections are held for a permanent successor.

{jcomments on}