Lead the Change - Be the Change: New Leaders Sport Leadership Education allows participants to become game-changers

Based on the current pace, globally it will take 202 years before the gender gap will close. Therefore, actions really matter, and everyone has a role to play.

The New Leaders Sport Leadership Education kicked off in Vilnius, Lithuania from January 21st to 23rd. At the first New Leaders workshop the 30 European participants called "game-changers" set realistic and tangible goals, to be followed by concrete action plans to transform the sport movement to be more equal, transparent and ethical. In addition, game-changers analyse the current status quo on their own organisation and in Europe, reflecting how the IOC Gender Equality Recommendations are met, and what actions should be done to reach equality.

IOC Gender Equality consultant Nancy Lee presented the IOC Gender Equality Review Project Report and its final recommendations. "The IOC is making a global impact and forging a new path in advancing gender equality within the sporting arena and beyond with this Project and it is very encouraging to see how the participants of the New Leaders programme have embraced the findings."

We all have a role to play

IOC Women and Sport Trophy winner, IOC Member, NOC President and EOC Executive board member Ms Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, encouraged the game-changers to act, and reminded them: "you are not alone. "I am personally committed to mentor and assist you to reach your goals. I believe in you." No new leader is left out a support from a mentor champion.

Ms. Birgitta Kervinen, IOC Women and Sport World Trophy Winner motivated the game-changers to "be clear with the goals and stick with your chosen road. You will succeed in what you believe." Ms. Kervinen also encouraged the game-changers not to accept the given answers – keep questioning and demand for new actions.

For Pedro Dias from Portugal "this is a dream come true. I want to be a sports leaders and New Leaders Programme is offering the opportunity to get tools and meet people sharing the same passion. I am learning a lot, and most importantly it is a privilege to hear different ideas and opinions from the other game-changers."

"Having a group of motivated game-changers together is an amazing opportunity to exchange ideas and challenge each other. All the game-changers here are potential future leaders. Personally, this workshop has been a confidence boost to see that I can be on too", says Marianna Sikorowska from Poland.

New Leaders is a legacy project of Ms Birgitta Kervinen, 2017 IOC Women and Sport World Trophy Winner. The educational programme is a joint effort coordinated by the NOC of Finland together with the IOC, EOC, NOC of Lithuania, NOC of Ireland and NOC of Azerbaijan.

New Leaders Sport Leadership Programme, its three workshops and a closing conference educate 30 participants to become game-changers in the period of one year. Concrete action plans will be designed on a personal and organisational level, implementing the IOC Gender Equality Recommendations into action and creating a culture of change in Europe.

For more information please contact the NOC of Finland New Leaders Team:

Niina Toroi, +358 40 672 2220, niina.toroi@olympiakomitea.fi

www.newleaders.fi

Be part of the journey by following newleaderseurope on Instagram and in social media following the hashtags:

#Newleaders | #GameChangers | #LeadtheChange

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