Play the Game 2017

Riding waves of change

Play the Game celebrated its tenth world conference in Eindhoven, Netherlands, from 26-30 November, by highlighting the need for change in sport at the global, national and local levels.  

It is make or break for organised sport these days. At the highest global level, sports organisations struggle to restore their credibility in the wake of seemingly endless corruption and doping scandals. Everywhere reform is on top of the agenda, but will it become more than window dressing?

At the very local level, clubs and associations are struggling to keep their members who may rather see themselves as costumers in the private sector or choose the virtual community available 24/7 on the mobile app.

Can a sector as tradition-bound and conservative as sport meet the demands of a world in disruption? How do we ride the waves of political, social, cultural and technological change?

Play the Game 2017 opens its doors for all stakeholders in sport to help find innovative solutions for sport as entertainment, sport as a potential bearer of high ethical values, sport as a daily practice, sport as a contributor to a well-functioning society. In short:

Sport and physical activity as a common cultural good and a fundamental right for everybody.

We invite academics, journalists, sports officials and other stakeholders to contribute with your knowledge, experience and opinions at Play the Game 2017 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, from 26-30 November – the tenth edition of a conference that has become a world leader in the international sports debate.

Whether as an academic, journalist, a sports official or in any other function your engagement is essential in order to find the solutions that society needs for sport and physical activity.