Ian Laing

A benchmark to chart stages of growth in women's professional team sport to identify what stage sport leagues are at. Thanks for presenting our study Samantha Marshall, you nailed it! Tracy Taylor SMAANZ - Sports Management Australia and New Zealand #womeninsport

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Will Day super star 🌟 of Hawthorn AFL club loved Winsher Storm footballs made from premium Australian leather 🏉👏 _______________ The reasons and the purpose why I decided to challenge the status quo of the AFL manufacturing industry: 🏉 Quality and Craftsmanship**: To provide top-grade premium leather footballs with exceptional craftsmanship. 🏉Affordability**: To offer high-quality footballs at competitive prices, making them accessible to more players and clubs. 🏉Community Support**: To support and give back to the community by providing free sports equipment to those in need. I saw the impact of COVID had on the local clubs in terms of loosing their sponsorship, less cash flow and there was an urgent need to help them save money and thus moving to Winsher brand footballs help them save significant amount of money and not a hole in their pocket! 🏉Innovation**: To bring innovative design and technology to the manufacturing process, ensuring superior performance. 🏉Sustainability**: To use sustainable materials and practices in the production of footballs. 🏉Empowering Local Communities**: To create job opportunities and support local economies through buying Australian premium leather. 🏉Customer-Centric Approach**: To focus on meeting the specific needs and preferences of the AFL community.

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A topic I am passionate about, come and hear GHD's Simon Babes FCILT and Hugh Utting talk about places and investment and the role of social value in desion making. Faciliated by Melissa Ross, this will be a great session. Register using the link in the description below.

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The AFL - Australian Football League minute of silence gesture raised awareness, but Ginger Gorman and I have asked: what can sport can do to change the culture of violence and sexism? The 'easy' fix is to get their pens out and create gender equality across the board: in leadership, medals, coaching, pay parity, broadcasting, sponsorship and support! In the meantime, sport orgs and media must hold abusive and sexist men to account. It is possible to be 2 things: a great player AND a bad human. Sport is not more important than the women they abuse. The research tells us that 3 out of 4 men are gender equality supporters, but very few (17%) prioritise taking any action. Men in sport can start taking action by actively dis-honouring and sanctioning the men who abuse women. 1. Dis-honour the Honoured The AFL demanded that convicted abuser, Wayne Carey, be denied his NSW Hall of Fame ‘Legend’ status. The next step is to see Carey struck off his club and AFL honour rolls. The same treatment applies to other convicted abusers - at community club and elite levels. Let's explicitly call abuse out with a * next to their names – “Dis-honoured for abuse against women” - and given a life ban.  Plus, all Codes must make abusers ineligible for future awards - and must not be given high paying commentating, leadership or coaching roles. 2. No fault, stand down for allegations The National Rugby League has a 'no fault, stand down' rule for players, but we need to expand this. The legal system systemically fails women, and it takes far too long to get through the court system. Some clubs also stand down alleged perpetrators; banned from playing with the club until they admit to their crime, talk about it openly, and prove they are committed to changing their behaviour. 3. Sanctions for sexism The abuse female players, officials, referees, journalists and administrators cop on and off the field for simply doing their jobs, has to stop. We are researching measures to combat cyberharm, but we need to do more to protect women in, and of, the game. Education programs are great, but sanctions are the only way to send the message that racist, sexist and homophobic abuse is unacceptable. All these measures would send the message: abuse is unacceptable, and the consequence for your bad behaviour is that you are out. https://lnkd.in/gjvTHqqb ESPN Australian Sports Commission FOX Sports FOX SPORTS Australia Australian Olympic Committee AFL Players'​ Association Australian Rugby Foundation Rugby Australia Global Athlete Play the Game Women in Sport Safe Sport International WomenSport International UNI Global Union NFL Players Association National Football League (NFL) NCAA Capital Football (ACT Football Federation) Football Australia Cricket Australia Tennis Australia English Premier League Professional Footballers'​ Association (PFA) Women's Agenda

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There are different ways to be successful & there is a difference between winning & succeding. Nice story of a pro club’s evolution & identity.

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🌟 Over the past eight days, I’ve had the privilege of traveling through Far North Queensland, visiting gymnastics clubs in some truly rural areas like Mackay and Cairns and their surrounds. As someone from a regional community, it’s been inspiring to see the incredible work these clubs are doing in small towns. However, it also makes me reflect on the disparities we face. How can these towns, with far smaller populations than where I live, boast amazing facilities like swimming pools and stadiums while my local Council struggles to provide basic services like maintaining roads or offering recreational activities for kids? There should be a minimum standard for what Councils provide to engage and support their communities. What can we expect from our youth if they don’t have access to pools, sports facilities, youth groups, or activities to do because they cannot get to neighbouring towns? Is this lack of resources contributing to youth crime in some areas? It’s time to prioritise building vibrant, supportive environments for our young people! 💪💙 #CommunityDevelopment #YouthEngagement #RuralLife

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Go Australia! While the overall sport investment from the government (Austrialian Sport Commission) is impressive, the direct investment in adaptive sports is wonderful to see. Per the article, “Para sport investment doubled by an additional $54.9m over two years.” The Aussies are serious. They want to win more medals. And they clearly understand the link between basic participation and the podium. In fact, if you look at the medal counts, the countries who make strategic investments in their adaptive and Paralympic sports industries win more medals. In the Paris 2024 Paralympics: China was 1st with 94 medals. Great Britain was 2nd with 48. Team USA was 3rd with 36. Australia sees an investment opportunity as they were 9th in the Paralympic medal count with 18. China and GB both invest heavily in the Paralympic pipeline. Word is that GB has more wheelchair basketball players than we do! IMHO The US should win many more Paralympic medals than we do. However, we have massive gaps in awareness and even larger and more embarrassing gaps in participation. We have significant funding challenges across the industry. We have no centralized, sustainable, reliable funding for adaptive sport providers like Angel City Sports, that are on the ground in communities across the U.S. And worse yet, many sister orgs in California have been going out of business or struggling the last few years. Let’s fix this in the US! But my hat is off to the Aussies! Clayton Tanya Bennett Jessica Reid Cindy Hook Andrew N. Liveris Brisbane 2032 United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee https://lnkd.in/gitTMaWU

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It was great running a workshop this week with one of our Local Government clients to help their Sport & Recreation Team think about how they work with the community (including for club development, facility compliance, and Council-led participation programs). BJ Fogg's Model of Behaviour is a really useful model to analyse why your strategies might or might not be working (because who doesn't want their work to count right?). Take this example when it comes to promoting a club development workshop: Firstly, you need to get the 'Attention' of your target audience. A standard promotional tactic is to send club leaders an email with information about a Council workshop. However email is a poor medium for getting people's attention. It often arrives when someone is busy, there are countless other emails to attend to, and within a few hours, the email is so far down the inbox it is out of sight and out of mind. If you want to maximise your impact, you need more volunteers to attend your club development, and to do that you need to get more volunteers paying attention. Secondly, 'Ability' is important too. A live in-person workshop can be an enjoyable environment but do many of your volunteers have the 'ability' to even be there? For many volunteers it will clash with parenting duties, for others they will have club training duties, and others may not feel confident enough to step into a room on their own with a crowd of people they don't know. If you want to maximise your impact, you need to provide club development options that are within someone's ability to access. Finally, you need to make sure the target audience has the 'Motivation'. Does the topic meet a genuine need or desire of the volunteer? Does the volunteer know what problems the workshop will solve? Will the workshop provide opportunities to master new skills and become more empowered? If you want to maximise your impact you need to ensure your target audience is motivated to attend. Unless your communication and service design is addressing the requirements of attention, ability, and motivation, you'll never maximise the impact of your work. If you have a little bit of budget left before the end of financial year, why not book in for some practical PD, and together we can devise some strategies to achieve your Sport & Recreation team's goals. #ProfessionalDevelopment #ServiceDesign #ProSportCoach

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Let's talk about how your sport, club or team can be a part of this amazing project!

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As another season draws to a close we salute the die hards of community club AFL who keep coming back for more - year after year. Recognising game milestones are a mainstay of the game. So how often are they talked about on social media? Answer: A LOT! Interesting but not surprising to see the more games you've played the bigger the audience reaction. NB. 1.34% of all posts generated mentioned a game milestone, while generating an impressive 3.35% of all engagement. Takeaway here is that this is some of the best performing content clubs can produce.

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I would like to announce the launch of the Australian Basketball Coaching (ABC) coach legend Spotlght Podcast series which commences with an Introductory episode this afternoon (AEST) May 27 2024. The podcast series is aimed at basketball coach education & Australian Coach history. It is only possible through the support by Assist Athlete Services. So here is an introduction prior to more about the Podcast series. About Assist Athlete Services & Coaching Assist Athlete Services is dedicated to fostering a comprehensive development approach for athletes and coaches, integrating mindset and mental skills with physical and technical training. Our mission is to move beyond the traditional transactional coaching methods, advocating for a transformational coaching model that emphasizes the mental and emotional aspects of athletic achievement. This holistic approach aims to empower individuals and optimize long-term success by focusing equally on the body and mind. Our Core Philosophy We believe that coaches play a crucial role in shaping young athletes not only in their sports but also in their attitudes, behaviors, and mindsets. By emphasizing a transformational coaching model, we aim to create an environment where athletes can thrive both on and off the field. Our Services Assist Athlete Services offers professional guidance in four main areas of sport and youth development: Athlete Development: The Assist App: A comprehensive tool for athletes, coaches, and schools to develop mindset and mental skills. Athlete Training & Mentoring Programs: Personalized programs designed to enhance both the physical and mental aspects of athletic performance. Schools’ Programs: Mental Edge Movement Program: A curriculum designed to guide schools in developing mental skills and mindset among students. Coaches’ Programs: Transformational Coaching Workshop Program: Workshops aimed at helping coaches adopt a transformational approach to coaching, focusing on the philosophical and value-driven aspects of coaching, mental skills development, and creating a psychologically safe environment for athletes. Commitment to Coaches' Development We are dedicated to improving the quality of coaching, with a particular focus on basketball. In line with this commitment, we have launched the Australian Basketball Coaching (ABC) Coach Legend Spotlight Podcast Series, beginning on May 29, 2024. with an introduction on May 27. This series aims to enhance coaching quality and education in basketball, providing insights and inspiration from legendary coaches. By investing and being committed to the development & learning of coaches, we aim to better support the needs of athletes by fostering an environment that supports their psychological safety and welfare, and ultimately contributing to their holistic development.

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Sensing that the country has been far more animated in recent weeks by the achievements of our talented sports performers than the impending general election reminds me of the power of sport and physical activity to capture the nation’s imagination, but also to positively impact the mental and physical wellbeing of people whatever background, ability, or age. We have all seen it, felt it, and have been moved to tears through it. At England Athletics we see and feel this impact every day through the wonderful contributions of our volunteer led athletics clubs and running clubs across the country. Our volunteers help create strong communities with a powerful sense of belonging and togetherness which engenders a wider social impact beyond individual health and wellbeing. Sport and physical activity can and does help to unite communities, combat discrimination, address inequalities, strengthen the economy and reduce the burden on the NHS – a magic pill that can prevent rather than cure in so many ways. Yes, evidencing impact and causality is important but it is not an exact science and what you see, feel, and believe is inherently important too – sport and physical activity is vitally important to communities, families, and the nation. It is time to press the accelerator and put sport and physical activity at the heart of government policy. The time for short termism is over – enshrine sport above and beyond petty party politics. A commitment to long term sustained investment from across government will help us to become the most active European nation and benefit generations to come. #sport #volunteering #community #government #wellbeing

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“Sport is one of Australia’s strengths. The Albanese Government is using all elements of national power to increase Australia’s influence in an ever more competitive world.”- Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong. The Albanese Government is sharpening Australia’s approach to sports diplomacy to harness Australia’s sporting prowess and advance the national interest. This will provide a regular forum to discuss strategic and economic opportunities and risks in international sport, including upcoming events in Australia and offshore, and the ways in which government and the sport sector can work together to advance shared priorities. https://lnkd.in/g32Fiqxh

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I was recently asked to recall any memorable appointments made over my time with Sportspeople Recruitment. The short answer was “𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵?” Since 1996, we’ve had the privilege of placing incredible talent across the Australian and New Zealand sport sector, from executives and high-performance specialists to essential support staff. Each placement has contributed to shaping the future of sport in our region and left a lasting impression. What stands out is the variety of roles we’ve filled and the unique impact every appointment has had on organisations and individuals. If you can think of a role in this sector, we’ve likely filled it. If you can think of an employer in this sector, we’ve likely worked with them. But, it’s always been about more than just finding the right person; it’s about supporting the sport sector’s growth. While the Sportspeople Recruitment Alumni includes the Who’s Who of Sport, we’re also proud to have been the catalyst for many of these leaders taking their early steps into the sector. We have always believed it’s easier to recognise someone excelling in their role, but the real challenge is identifying the potential of those who will excel tomorrow. Our reputation for providing the widest choice of talent with a ‘stay-rate’ 80% higher than our competitors, and attracting fresh talent 40% higher, is unparalleled. Despite growing global interest in our market, we have stayed 100% 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲-𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝. In an industry where many companies are gobbled up by foreign ownership, Sportspeople Recruitment remains independent. This allows us to keep our deep local roots and understanding of the Australian and New Zealand sport landscapes, while delivering world-class solutions without profits being sent offshore. If your organisation is looking to strengthen its leadership, high-performance teams, or support staff, we are ready to assist. Additionally, we offer HR services such as employment assessments, performance appraisals, remuneration benchmarking, organisational reviews, reference checks, and police checks. We customise our services to fit your needs and budget, identifying talent others often overlook. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved at Sportspeople Recruitment, and I look forward to continuing to partner with our clients to build stronger teams and a stronger future for sport. If you are a candidate, you may well be the future leader we're looking for, so stay in touch. 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 - 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 1996. #SportRecruitment #LeadershipInSport #TalentManagement #HighPerformance #SportCareers #FutureOfSport #HRServices #TalentDevelopment #SportspeopleRecruitment

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Hey all speakers - there seems to be so much focus on confidence these days. People say, just be confident. But how helpful is that? I don't think it is all that helpful. According to the 2024 Australian Olympic team's chief psychologist, it isn't the most important thing. Focus is the crucial factor. Your ability to focus, be 'in the moment', bring your attention to the task. Here is the science from Caroline Anderson, lead psychologist 2024 Australian Olympic Team: '...confidence isn't what predicts outcomes and performance.' 'It's our actions and ability to focus in the moment that predicts outcomes and performance.' Sports performance has a lot in common with presenting a talk and public speaking. Check out more on this on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s All in the Mind this week. Link is here: https://lnkd.in/gUCVSDEA

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This might quite possibly be the most enjoyable sports CEO job in the South Island - I think so! If you are a collaborative & strategic leader, a natural networker, and have a strong understanding of high performance teams then this could be the role for you. #business #leadership #networking #governance #canterbury #businessofsport

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With 100 days to go until the Paris Olympics, it's time to capitalise on the impact that hosting the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will have by investing in a comprehensive legacy program that will benefit community sport throughout NSW for generations. Beyond the thrill of Australia hosting the world’s premier multi-sport event, the Games present a unique chance for governments and sports to invest in comprehensive legacy programs that will benefit community sport throughout the nation for generations. That is why Sport NSW produced Impact 2032 - a report that recognises Australia’s hosting of the Games represents a momentous opportunity. By investing in programs, facilities, leadership, capability building and events, Government's can support and encourage people of all ages and abilities to be active participants in sports. https://lnkd.in/gzqsYGF8

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