European Athletics (EAA) – News – Seminar promotes development of women leaders

European Athletics and British Athletics will host more than 50 women officials from 32 countries at the inaugural Women in World Athletics Seminar (WIWA) in Solihull, Great Britain, this weekend.

The initiative, which is part of the British Athletics Annual Officials Conference, where an additional 200 officials will be in attendance, was a key legacy promise of London's successful bid for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in Athletics. Its main aim is to develop women leaders and increase the involvement of women as officials and in other functions at all levels around the world.

Partnered by UK Sport and the IAAF Regional Development Centre in Moscow, the seminar will be held annually in Britain for the next four years and will feature:
Wendy Haxell – Officials representative, UK Members Council, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the weekend including WIWA and the Officials Conference.
Alexander Porkhomosvsky – IAAF Regional Development Centre, Moscow.
Katharine Merry – 2000 Olympic 400m bronze medallist

European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz said, "Since 2009 European Athletics has celebrated the important contributions made by women across the continent to athletics through our biennial Women's Leadership Awards. Now we are pleased to be working with British Athletics, the IAAF and other great partners on this seminar, which looks forward and encourages the next generation of women competition officials and club leaders.

British Athletics Major Events Director Cherry Alexander MBE said, "Currently women are under-represented in terms of leadership and decision making roles in sport and the Women in World Athletics Seminar is an excellent opportunity to bring together key individuals to debate, and create a better platform and balance for women operating as either officials or competition providers.

"The Women in World Athletics Seminar will allow us to set the scene and strengthen the pathway for women as we build towards London 2017 and our aim is to ensure women are afforded more opportunities leading in officiating roles, event management. The workshops will give the delegates an opportunity to share best practice and good examples of their involvement and journey within athletics and enhance their personal development plans."

Chair of the European Athletics Women's Leadership Working Group Sylvia Barlag said, "We are hoping to see many of the participants in key positions at the national and international levels in the future. The chance to meet colleagues from around the world to share ideas and the programme of activities prepared by British Athletics and Loughborough University will provide them with a unique and inspiring experience that I am sure will contribute to their development as leaders."

The Women in World Athletics Seminar runs from Friday 12 April to Monday 15 April.

For further information visit www.britishathletics.org.uk

European Athletics (EAA) – News