The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in partnership with the Australian Government launches the inaugural Captains’ Forum.
On November 19th, the captains and leading athletes of major Australian sports will convene at Parliament House, Canberra for the 2009 ‘Captains’ Forum’. The key objective of this event is to develop national responses by Australia’s sporting leaders to some of the most significant challenges facing sport and the broader community.
The Captains’ Forum is a unique concept that builds on Australia’s reputation as a global pioneer in sport. “This is the first time Australia’s leading athletes from a wide cross section of Australian sports and Olympic disciplines have come together to debate and
discuss as peers, issues facing Australian sport and the community at large,” said Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chairman and Yachting great John Bertrand AM.
“From the Forum, the captains and leaders will determine a theme to take to Australians through sport in 2010, to address the issue they feel is most important to the community today.”
Join John Bertrand at 12pm sharp today at the Sydney Cricket Ground to launch this month’s Captains’ Forum. John will be joined by Federal Minister for Sport The Hon. Kate Ellis MP, fellow Sport Australia Hall of Fame board member and former Wallabies Captain John Eales AM, and leading Australian athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Libby Trickett OAM.
“The Captain’s Forum will bring Australia’s sporting leaders together to discuss the big issues facing Australian sport,” said the Federal Minister for Sport Kate Ellis. “The Forum will show the power that sport has to make a positive difference on the challenges confronting sport and Australian society as a whole.”
Sporting heroes attending the inaugural Captains’ Forum include: Geelong premiership captain Tom Harley, world champion Pole Vaulter Steve Hooker, Basketball captains Jason Smith and Kristi Harrower, Wheelchair Basketball captain Tina McKenzie, Netball captain Sherelle McMahon, Rugby Union’s Nathan Sharpe, V8 Supercar champ Mark Skaife, Tennis Davis Cup Captain John Fitzgerald, from Swimming, Libby Trickett and Patrick Murphy, and Winter Paralympian Cameron Rahles-Rabula.
Rugby Legend John Eales AM, the original architect of the Captains’ Forum is excited about this milestone event in Australian sport, “The Captains’ Forum provides the opportunity for Australian captains to speak with one voice to drive cultural change from within, “ said Mr. Eales. “We hope that the Captains’ Forum becomes an annual event, bringing together captains to reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead.”
For media enquiries:
Brigette McGuire
McGuire Marketing Communications
E: brigette@mcguiremarketing.com.au
T: 0412 257 874
Jayne Stinson
Minister for Sport’s Office
T: 0458 547 512
E: Jayne.Stinson@dpm.gov.au
For additional information regarding the 2009 Captains’ Forum go to: www.sahof.org.au/captainsForum and www.ausport.gov.au/captainsforum
About the Australian Sports Commission
The Australian Sports Commission was established in 1989 “To enrich the lives of all Australians through sport.” The ASC is Australia’s primary national sports administration and advisory agency, and the cornerstone of a wide-ranging sports system. On behalf of the Australian Government, the ASC plays a central leadership role in the development and operation of the Australian sports system, administering and funding innovative sport programs and providing leadership, coordination and support for the sports sector.
