The silent scandal of the sports world
It is the scandal the sports journalists rarely write about or even understand. And it is the scandal that does not really have a powerful and dedicated voice in the international world of sport.
But actually, declining figures in sports participation and lack of access to suitable infrastructure and sports facilities in many countries might be one of the biggest threats to the international world of sport.
Public investment in sports and infrastructure is often directed at elite sport, sports events, prestige facilities or governing bodies while failing to meet any targets of increasing sports participation and access to sport for the general public.
Play the Game 2013 aims to put some of the burning questions in sports participation and sports infrastructure on the agenda.
Often poor participation figures can be related to the same issues of bad governance in governing bodies that create doping, match-fixing and corruption problems in elite sport:
Governing bodies with poor links to core stakeholders such as local clubs or participants, and governing bodies or sports clubs without the ability to really deliver attractive programmes and events to the broader public are increasingly overtaken by so-called 'light communities' or commercial suppliers of fitness and health.
Play the Game 2013 offers a dedicated conference track with some of the most insightful speakers and a range of inspiring case stories in sports participation and physical infrastructure.
Who gets the funding and the access to facilities? Who really delivers when it comes to promoting physical activity and recreational sport?
The host nation of Play the Game 2013, Denmark, is a country where sports participation and sports infrastructure go against the general trend: A dynamic sports sector with several resourceful organisations, an efficient legal and financial framework for organised sport, and an emphasis on innovative and accessible sports architecture have led to growing participation figures and a high level of participation in organised sport.
Play the Game 2013 will offer new inspiration to the debate on sports participation and sports infrastructure in your own country.
Get the figures, discuss the latest trends in recreational sport and mass sport events with people from all over the world, and experience innovative sports facilities as part of the conference programme.
The line-up of speakers for Play the Game includes leading international experts in sports participation, mass sports events and sports infrastructure.
On the 30th of October, Play the Game offers two additional sessions on the rapidly growing running movement and the battle for the mass sports events in the future.
Also, the conference venue, Helnan Marselis Hotel, is located right at the Aarhus Forests that were once described as “some of the best and most beautiful areas anywhere in the world” by the famous New Zealand running coach, Arthur Lydiard.
There are no excuses for leaving your running shoes at home...
See all about Play the Game 2013 on the conference website: www.playthegame.org/2013