Media Release
2 April 2008
Leaders In Sport Get Ready To Be Inspired
New Zealand hosts the prestigious International Leaders in Sport conference today and tomorrow with a line-up of top
international speakers and influential figures from across the sporting, business, political and academic worlds.
This is the first time the biannual conference has been held outside Australia, and the programme promises to excite and
inspire both current and future leaders in sport and recreation.
The conference is a fantastic opportunity for leaders from all sectors who want to know more about winning strategies in
the fast-changing world of sport and recreation. Those interested in building capability in the sector, developing new
leadership styles and having a positive impact on participation or performance will benefit from the conference.
Keynote speaker Sir John Whitmore, world-renowned business coach, will speak on the value of recognising change as an
opportunity, values-based leadership and overcoming the inner obstacles to high performance.
Joining Sir John is Martin Snedden, Chief Executive of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd who will discuss the challenges and
global expectations in delivering a major international event such as the Rugby World Cup.
Other keynote speakers include Mark Davies, co-founder of Betfair who will speak on bringing a new understanding to the
way betting and sport can interact today; Kereyn Smith, Vice President of the International Federation of Netball
Associations who will speak on the changes and developments she has seen in New Zealand netball; and Rob Donovan,
Director of the Social Marketing Research Unit in the Curtin Business School (Perth) who will speak on how to effect
social change in the sport and recreation sector.
In addition, there are expert presentations that cover topics such as ‘Connecting with Younger Generations’, presented
by a panel headed by Paul Sinclair, Managing Director of M Saatchi (Wellington); Mega Events and Worldclass Facilities’; ‘New Media’; and ‘New Perspectives in Social Marketing’.
The International Leaders in Sport Conference is a Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport (SCORS) event, hosted by
the Government agency Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).
For more information on speakers please visit www.leadersinsport.com
ENDS