The past month has been packed with diverse, stimulating activities with several engaging events, beginning with a conference highlight: Leaders in Sport from the 27-29 September. It kicked off with the Leaders Sports Awards 2022 at the Natural History Museum, where I was a judge in two of the Purpose Categories: Community, Inclusion, Sustainability. The Community winners were Arsenal x adidas: No More Red - Sport Business (leadersinsport.com) with Sustainability claimed by Climate Pledge Arena - Sport Business (leadersinsport.com).
Two days at Twickenham Stadium for Leaders Week London - Sport Business (leadersinsport.com) with excellent sessions including keynote presentations, panel debate, expert masterclasses, and notably extensive networking in the exhibition with truly international participation for the first time in three years.
Every participant, parent and guardian need to be sure that they can participate safely in sport and The Safeguard Podcast was next up. I have been inspired by the activities of The Safeguarding Company after we first connected 12 months ago shortly after I contributed module 2 of the industry benchmark as one of the Athlete Perspective Contributors to the IOC Safeguarding Certificate. The company's work across different sectors of society aim to fulfil the essential objective to enable everyone to participate safely in sport with tools and expertise to protect participants now evolving further across the sports movement.
Moving on to 6th October and a hybrid conference taking place in Boulder. Colorado Springs which you can follow here: Women in Alpine Skiing with Sarah Lewis (Olympian athlete & former FIS Secretary General), Darlene Nolting (R/C Regional Development Director). Mikaela Tommy (former Buff & World Cup skier) Moderator: Federiga Bindi, CU & IWPR followed by Women, Sports and Media.
Next up was a "day of two halves" with the British Residents Association of Switzerland Autumn Luncheon hosted by the Central Region at the Hôtel DuPeyrou in the wonderful mansion in the city of Neuchâtel, built between 1765 and 1771 for Pierre-Alexandre DuPeyrou.
On the wonderful direct Swiss train to Kilchberg on the Lake of Zurich I changed to appropriate attire for the Arsenal Switzerland Supporters Club AGM and Dinner at the excellent Restaurant Trattoria Pizzeria Dal Buongustaio, meeting the board members and fellow supporters from Switzerland and ex-pats with spirits high!
I was delighted to have donated some extra of my extra Arsenal memorabilia that was used for a club quiz and charitable support:
A series of meetings and engagements across the Swiss rail network in Lausanne, Nyon, Solothurn, Basel, Biel as well as online with Wales, London, Oregon USA and more led up to my participation as an expert observer at an important hybrid event the Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS) which took place at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The focus was on the Preparations of MINEPS VII and implementation of Fit for Life which is a truly meaningful programme to truly benefit the health and welfare of society.
Now I'm in the UK primarily to celebrate my dear Dad and his twin sister's 88th birthday party last Sunday before some days of London/UK meetings, before a new exciting chapter opens - stay tuned!
Hostess the marvellous Karin, Jeanne's daughter-in-law (husband Richard photographer) with me as industrious "Coffee tea server/Clearer upper/Mädchen für Alles"
Thank you to everyone for our ongoing Caring, Sharing and Daring as we all endeavour to make society a better place through the power of sport.