Representatives confirm 2013 Development Symposium attendance

by ISAF on 14 Feb 2013 Representatives from the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Member National Authorities including Oman, Turkey, France, New Zealand, Qatar, Bahrain, U.A.E, Iceland, United States and South Africa have confirmed that they will be attending the 2013 Development Symposium.

The event, hosted by Oman Sail both at their Headquarters and the Eastin Residence Hotel, Muscat, will take place on the 13th and 14th April.

The international delegates will be supported by ISAF representatives such as Vice President Nazli Imre, Development and Youth Committee Chairman Olivier Bovyn, ISAF Nominated Experts as well as invited speakers from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Department and International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE).

ISAF Training and Development Manager Dan Jaspers said of the Symposium, 'After the success of last year's event it is encouraging to see a number of MNAs return for the 2013 Symposium as well as a number of other members for whom it will be their first time. I am also very happy that the IOC and ICCE have identified the importance of this meeting and are able to attend to inform delegates about their services. The feedback from last year confirmed that more communication with our members is crucial and the Development Symposium is doing just that, in a format that allows discussion and ideas sharing in an informal forum that is geared specifically towards Training and Development.'

Booking for this event is still open and all delegate enquiries should be made to training@isaf.com where you will receive a registration form and further details.

Topics for discussion over the two days will include:

• The International Sports Coaching Framework (ISCF).
• Coaching resources for effective delivery of technical courses.
• IOC funding for global sport development programmes.
• Equipment choices for national participation pathways.
• National Kiteboard training programme development.
• Women in sport.
• Shifting perspectives on national training / coaching structures.
• ISAF 2013 - 2020 Strategic Development Plan for Sailing.
• Defining appointment process for IAF Nominated Experts.

Our Training and Development strategy is based on three core requirements:

1. To fulfil the obligations set out in the ISAF Constitution to develop the sport and to increase participation.

2. To meet the expectations of the IOC to provide a structure and mechanism for the sport to grow through growing our members and thus the number of participants and ultimately continuing with Olympic Status.

3. To provide support to our Members in order to meet their obligations to grow the sport of sailing in their countries.

The role of ISAF is as a facilitator. Our Members must deliver the outcomes, they are our sailing communities. The ISAF Strategic Plan requires us to deliver support to our MNA's to meet the core requirements and the Training and Development Department was created to fulfil this need.

Training is the key that will unlock and secure the future for our sport. Our programme is addressing the fundamental resources needed by our current MNA's and the new members we must attract to be able to bring more people to our sport and to grow strong, sustainable foundations for the future.

To keep up with this event as well as all Training and Development news follow the updates via the dedicated Twitter feed @connect2sailing and on Facebook.

If you or your country wish to know how you could benefit from any of the programmes that ISAF is engaged in delivering to develop the sport of sailing globally then please contact the Training and Development ISAF website