Fiji’s future sports leaders are being trained not just to lead, but to act, by taking what they learn this week straight back into their communities to address real issues through sport.
That’s the focus of the Certified Leadership Course in Sport for All, currently underway at the HFC Stadium in Suva.
“What we’re delivering today with TAFISA and ONOC together with all of the participants is a certified leadership course in Sport for All,” said Jean Francois Laurent, secretary general of TAFISA.
“So what we’re not talking about is medals. What we are talking about is community impact.”
The program brings together participants from various backgrounds, including government, national federations, coaches and community clubs.
“We want to empower them, we want to learn from each other, to find out how can we become good leaders, to promote, to develop participation in Sport for All, in physical activity and to make a difference in society.”
The four-day course which started on , led by TAFISA and supported by ONOC and the Fiji National Sports Commission, is the first of its kind in Fiji.
It is part of a year-long initiative where participants will later implement sport-based projects in their own communities.
Laurent said the course was the result of growing partnerships, including the leadership of FASANOC vice president Cathy Wong.
“She managed to connect the dots and Fiji National Sports Commission joined TAFISA as a member of our International Federation,” he said.
“This is not a program which will stay in the classroom. All of the participants in groups will come up with community projects and will go on the ground to make a difference.”
“The dynamics are great and I’m looking forward to come back in a few months to see the difference they have been making.”
Meanwhile the program ends today.
