2014 Sports Without Borders Conference - Win or Lose: Is it really how you play the game?

The 2014 Sports Without Borders Conference (SWB) will again bring together sports people, club officials, volunteers, policymakers, government funders, Federal and local government workers, peak bodies and sports administrators.

To be held on Friday 2nd May at Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, the event will also include an exhibition by hosted by the Australian Sports Technologies Network.

The SWB Conference aims to provide the inspiration and the practical support to ensure sports participants, administrators, volunteers and supporters get it right and get everyone involved.

Confirmed speakers at the event include:

• Peter Dutton, Federal Minister for Sport and Minister for Health;

• Damian Drum, Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Veterans Affairs;

• Federal Senator Nova Peris;

• Pippa Grange, Director of Bluestone Edge;

• Russell Hoye, Director of the Centre for Sport and Social Impact at La Trobe University; and

• Con Pagonis, Municipal Association of Victoria.

Conference organisers also explain "drugs, betting scandals, misbehaving heroes, controversial trade deals professional sport is often in the news for all the wrong reasons.

"Happily, amateur sports usually fare better. At the grassroots, it's all about fun, health and social inclusion - at least, it should be. Competition is still important but in the final analysis, it's how you played the game that truly matters.

"In Australia, our sports values are intricately entwined with our community values - for Australians to affiliate themselves with a game, a team, a club, they want to be sure that everyone's getting a fair go and enjoying joining in."

Against this backdrop, the 2014 SWB Conference will again feature its 'Great Debate', which will debate the topic: 'It's not whether you win or lose that counts, its how you played the game.'

For more information or to register contact service@ourcommunity.com.au, www.ourcommunity.com.au/swb2014

26th March 2013 - SPORTS WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS INNOVATION IN COMMUNITY SPORT

Article amended 1st April 2014.