Our UK and EU Regulatory Officer, David Foster blogs about sport in a European perspective and the forthcoming Sport and Recreation Alliance EU Summit: Finding Funding & Fighting Fixing
Since the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, sport is now an official responsibility of the European Union. Increasingly, Europe is looking to take a lead in various areas of sports policy and this inevitably impacts upon sport in the UK as well. No matter how big or small your organization is, Europe has a tangible influence on everything from intellectual property rights through to the promotion of volunteering at grassroots level.
On Thursday 20 October 2011, Sport and Recreation Alliance will hold its annual European Summit at the European Commission offices in Smith Square, London. This year’s event will focus on some of the most pertinent issues affecting sport in Europe – good governance, match-fixing and funding.
We have secured some excellent speakers, each of whom will be able to provide an insight into their particular area of expertise. We will hear from British MEP Emma McClarkin about the current challenges facing the European institutions in the field of sport policy, while Michal Krejza – head of the European Commission’s Sport Unit – will discuss the Commission’s current priorities and aspirations. Baroness Young of Hornsey will also present the recommendations from the House of Lord’s inquiry into grassroots sport and the European Union which was published earlier this year.
In addition, Darren Bailey from the Football Association, and David Sparkes and Jane Nickerson from the Amateur Swimming Association will discuss Europe’s role in promoting good governance in sport. Rafal Piechota from the Polish Ministry of Sport will discuss the work being done at European level to combat match-fixing, while Pierre Cornu will explain how UEFA is tackling the problem of corruption in football. We will also hear from Tom Docherty and Rowenna Hoy about the funding opportunities available for sport through the Leonardo Da Vinci fund.
Booking forms and further information can be found on our website. Alternatively please email David Forster on dfoster@sportandrecreation.org.uk
