Registrations open for Auckland’s hosting of 8th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport

Women in Sport Aotearoa has announced that registrations have opened for the 8th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport being held in Auckland from 5th to 8th May next year.

The Conference has also attracted new sponsors with Spark (New Zealand’s largest telecommunications and digital services company) and Spark Sport being named as ‘Official Technology and Broadcast Partner’, to enhance the virtual experience for global and local participants while SkyCity had joined as ‘Official Hotel and Entertainment Partner’, to enhance the in-person experience for those visiting Auckland.

Two registration types are currently on sales for the Conference.

The ‘Inspire Pass’ will offer an outstanding virtual experience accessible from almost anywhere in the world via a world-class online conferencing system. This Pass will offer live content, international speakers and storytellers, and interactivity to support collaboration and networking across borders.

The ‘InspirePLUS Pass’ will give participants access to a full hybrid experience, seamlessly weaving together content delivered in-person, with that delivered virtually. It will also connect in-person attendees in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with online attendees globally.

The online conferencing system, and its associated virtual platform, will launch shortly and be filled with rich interactive content in the lead-up to and beyond the event itself.

Content from the event will be streamed live and will be recorded and re-posted on the platform immediately, for repeat viewing via both Pass types through until 30th September 2022.

Commenting on planning for the event, Rachel Froggatt, Chief Executive of event host Women in Sport Aotearoa that the “Olympic Games has inspired much discussion around the equity and equality for women in sport (and the opening of registrations) is the culmination of 18 months’ hard work by an operations and programming family numbering more than 200 global and local experts from 30 countries across five continents.

“More than ever, women and girls need positive change. IWG 2022 will be a live conversation. But it will also be a moment to share, to learn, to collaborate and to create practical, implementable plans. Together, we will design solutions that hit the ongoing challenges we have identified, head-on."

Spark and SkyCity are also partnering with Women in Sport Aotearoa across all of its other domestic activity, which runs all year-round. This is focussed on transforming society through leadership, advocacy and research, to ensure that all women and girls gain equity of opportunity to participate, compete and build careers in play, active recreation and sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Explaining the company’s support, Jolie Hodson, Chief Executive of Spark, and 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Champion, noted “we are thrilled to support the important kaupapa (purpose) of the IWG World Conference on Women and Sport.

"Through Spark Sport we’ve made a conscious effort to back women in sport, and in partnership with New Zealand Cricket, we have worked to build a pipeline of female commentators at an international and domestic level. To help grow the viewership and reach of women’s cricket we produced and broadcasted more White Ferns national team and female Super-Smash T20 matches than ever before, and we’re excited to be the exclusive New Zealand broadcaster for the Rugby World Cup playing in 2022, where we will showcase the world’s best women rugby players.

"The IWG World Conference will be a great opportunity for us to keep learning how to improve equality in sport, so I encourage Aotearoa New Zealand to get involved in the conversation."

Click here for more information on the 8th IWG World Conference in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Women's sport coaching development (top, credit: AKTIVE); Rachel Froggatt (middle) and Jolie Hodson (below).