British Swimming has been raising the unique demands of aquatic sports at the first ever EU Sport Forum.
The European Commission organised the forum to discuss legal, political, financial and policy issues related to sport and specifically the implementation of its 2007 White Paper on Sport and the financing of grassroots sport.
About 200 representatives from key sport stakeholders were at the event, including David Sparkes, British Swimming Chief Executive, and Sarah James, the asa’s Legal Officer.
Over the course of the two days (26 and 27 November) organisations like the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), and the European Club Association (ECA) debated issues directly linked to the implementation and follow-up of the White Paper.
And Miss James acknowledged how important it was for the aquatic sports to be represented. She said: “Our presence meant we were able to ensure that the word ‘sport’ at a European level doesn’t becomes synonymous and monopolised by the issues and interests of the larger spectator sports.
“Swimming, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming all have their very unique concerns, and it is important that these should be adequately represented and addressed. I do believe that a message was conveyed by our attendance, and that of other sports, that football cannot be allowed to dominate the European sports agenda with its focus on issues such as salary caps, which are of little relevance to our sport.
“We hope our presence will help to ensure that each of our disciplines may be able to achieve its full potential without undue legal encumbrance.”
On the agenda at the event were two high-level panel debates; the first dedicated to the financing of grassroots sport and the second covering the specificity of sport, i.e. the exceptions to legislation that should be granted to sport because of its unique nature.
Miss James added: “The sessions on the White Paper in Sport, grassroot funding and specificity in sport all had resonance; and any greater certainty of the legal context in which sport operates must be welcome across the board.
“As a sport we have a very real contribution to make to every area of the European debate, whether in terms of health and cultural initiatives; grassroots participation; or the impact of European law upon sporting rules.
“On a personal level, I considered myself to be truly privileged to witness first-hand the dynamics of the event. This was not just any event but one which marks something of a watershed and it was re-assuring to perceive that our work in this area has a purpose and that a two-way dialogue with the European Union is possible.
“We look forward to maintaining and further developing these links with Europe.”
The EU Sport Forum will now become a key annual event within the EU, allowing structured dialogue on sport.
-ENDS-
For more information contact the asa PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org
The asa is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The asa supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The asa aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
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