Included through Sport

Performance-driven executive, acknowledged for expertise in capacity building in the areas of international sport, protocol, sport diplomacy and major events management, marketing communications and project management. 

Diverse experience at a senior level has honed strengths in defining requirements, supporting stakeholders, communications and delivering high impact and sustainable results.   

Both a detailed and ‘big picture’ understanding of complex issues with a demonstrated capacity to deliver on outcomes.  Intuitively values human dynamics; skilled in building bridges, networks and partnerships, uniting disparate views, and turning around stalled projects. Impact and achievements supported and enhanced through a large network of contacts, including government at international, national, state and local levels, multinational corporates, not for profit organisations and intergovernmental agencies and NGO's.

Problem

Based on WHO statistics 2-3% of the worlds population have an intellectual impairment (156-234million). It is the largest impairment group. This group are amongst some of the worlds most disadvantaged (economically, socially and from a health perspective). Most do not play sport.

Engagement to community through Sport has the power to have positive impact for people with an intellectual impairment and have long lasting and sustainable benefit for the individual, the community, the economy, the nation and our world.

The Solve

Through VIRTUS and its 88 Member Nations Network we can develop engagement programs with UN, NGO's, the IPC,International Sport Federations that can be presented to and implemented by National Governments, National Sport Federations providing options and opportunities for people with an intellectual impairment to play sport. For some this may include pathways to National and International representation through VIRTUS and the Paralympic Games. 

Elevating humanity through inclusive Sport.

The World Health Organisation estimates that between 2-3% of the Global population has an intellectual impairment based on estimated Global Population of 7.8 billion this equates to between 156 million and 234 million

Source: WHO Report on Disability 2011

This impairment knows no boundaries does not discriminate across, gender, race, religion or socio-economic status it cannot be cured it is an impairment for life and for most people it is a hidden disability (it cant be seen).

It is a well known fact that people with an impairment are amongst the most disadvantaged in the world across all indicators from social to economic and health.

People with intellectual impairment do not perform at school, they are ostracised and bullied, they do not find meaningful employment, they develop a range of health conditions, and are disproportionally represented in our correctional institutions . They find it hard to find their place in society.

Sport can change that. It connects them to a community, it provides them with an opportunity to excel, it improves their health, it provides lifelong connection and for some it provides high performance pathways - an opportunity to represent their country and become role models for future generations

Included through Sport is an initiative that provides National Governments and National Sport Federations with the guidance, tools and resources to make Sport Inclusive in their Nations. 

Included through Sport demonstrates the long lasting and positive impact inclusive sport can have in their communities at local, regional and national levels. 

Included through Sport highlights the positive impacts and return on investment to social, health, employment, humanitarian and National pride that Inclusive Sport can deliver. 

Included through Sport also opens opportunity through Sports Diplomacy for more meaningful engagement with the UN and other intergovernmental agencies, as well as other bi-lateral engagements with other Nations at both a Regional or Global level using Inclusive Sport as the medium.

Included through Sport works with its partners to provide Nation specific Situational Analysis Research and program guidance to National Governments and their Sport Federations to support informed decision making and future investment in to Inclusive Sport practices and programs.

Included through Sport seeks to engage at the highest levels of Government in early stages to support commitment to progressing initiatives and programs and commitment to the ongoing support of Inclusive Sport beyond the program timelines. The focus is on empowerment, commitment, accountability and sustainability.

The Included through Sport initiative is targeted at providing options and opportunities for people with an intellectual impairment to lead active and engaged lives in their communities through Sport we know our impact will be far greater than these individuals. The impact of this initiative will have a much wider footprint.

The families of people with an intellectual impairment

Local Sporting Clubs and their communities

Disability advocacy agencies and their communities

Local, Regional, State and National Sporting Organisations, Associations and Federations and their communities

National Paralympic Committees and their communities

VIRTUS and its international community across 5 regions and 88 Nations.

International Sport Federations and their communities

The International Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic Games

The UN, UNESCO, WHO and other organisations that have a global impact

Even The Media !!!! and how they perceive and include people of all abilities

A truly Global Impact where people who at times (because of their impairment) cannot advocate for themselves find a platform through Sport to have their voices heard.

It was challenging to decide between Option A and Option C as I believe they are both equally important.

Whilst Included through Sport is about elevating opportunities for people across the world who have and are left behind it is equally important that through this vital work we do change attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards people with the hidden disability of intellectual impairment. They too should be included they too should be an inspiration to others and sport provides this platform. It's not all about sport stars with physical impairment.

For many years (almost 10) I have been involved in the broader disability sector from both a senior leadership and Board perspective. I have constantly been challenged and alarmed at the lack of interest and effort to support people with an intellectual impairment to engage in mainstream activity and society. Often it is far easier to ignore or institutionalise this group of people as they are simply too hard to deal with.

I was approached in 2014 to develop a Bid to host an event called the INAS Global Games 2019 (www.gg2019.org) my work since then has opened my eyes to the power of sport to make the world a better place.

INAS became VIRTUS at the Closing Ceremony of the Global Games and I was offered my current role as Chief Marketing and Development Officer. I now have the opportunity to utilise all of my energies, experience, skills and networks to affect real change in the world for people with an intellectual impairment through Sport from grass roots levels to international high performance.

VIRTUS as the International Sport Federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment is well positioned to ensure that the vision for the initiative becomes a reality

I have seen the power of Sport to change peoples lives.

I have seen non verbal athletes develop the confidence to speak to groups of people with no support.

Parents have through tearful eyes thanked me for the opportunities that sport has given their son or daughter confirming sport has given them purpose and built their resilience to have meaningful relationships in their community.

I know that sport can make positive change in every community and in every nation.

Others have developed clear and concise research that confirms that Sport improves peoples lives - people with impairment need to be included as the benefits are even greater than for those with no impairment.

I know that for many in the world they do not see Sport as an option to include people of all abilities into a meaningful and lifelong connection to community. I know I can help them to see sport as an option and to embrace the impact. This group is wide and diverse from Heads of State and Heads of Government to Ministers for Sport, Sport Federations, NGO's and Community Groups all play their part in Inclusive Sport and all need to be brought on the journey.

I have had extensive experience in the corporate sector working with a number of multinational companies. My work has involved engagement with senior executives and board members to develop and implement a range of strategic projects and initiatives. This experience has honed my capacity to engage at senior levels and to effect change.These networks will play a role in potential financial and value in ind support for the initiative.

I have also worked in a range of protocol positions which have seen me interact with a significant number of heads of state, heads of government, members of royal families, government ministers and senior government officials. These experiences have developed my skills to have a deep understanding of engaging with governments and will apply this skill set and extensive network of contacts to engage through a Sport Diplomacy lense.

VIRTUS as a recognised International Federation for Sport and a Founding Member of the International Paralympic Committee is uniquely placed to support the implementation and success of the initiative. With an established network of 88 Nations VIRTUS has an in country presence which will enhance the work of the initiative. I have already developed extensive networks in the world of International Sport at C Suite level.

VIRTUS formally INAS conducts an Annual Program of Sport across both Summer and Winter Sports. It also conducts a quadrennial event know as the Global Games.

As General Manager of the 2019 INAS Global Games I was tasked to ensure substantial financial support was provided from both Government and Non Government sources. My understanding of Government and Non Government sectors combined with building an effective and impactual "story" resulted in multimillion dollar funding support and value in kind support for the Games.

 This level of support has never been achieved in the history of the event (2019 was the 5th Version) and in deed the history of the organisation (35 years old). Whilst this was a significant challenge I maintained my resolve even when colleagues may not have supported my approach.

This financial support allowed the event to be delivered to a world class level, it also allowed the production of high quality impactful resources which can now be used from a legacy perspective. These resources will add value to this initiative.

One of the multinational organisations I worked for was Lend Lease. I was appointed as Director of Events and Engagement. The development I was working for was Bluewater, Kent, England. This project was a multi billion pound development and there was a substantial events and community engagement budget which I had responsibility for (www.bluewater.co.uk).

Working in collaboration with the Lend Lease Chairman and Project Team a decision had to be made on the Projects events and engagement plan. It was recommended that we engage a high profile performer to open the project at a cost of US$5million. I successfully had this option redirected to a much more modest program that involved the local schools to support development of a choir, commissioning of a song and performance at opening ceremony at cost GBP5000. 

The Choir was the highlight and connected the community to the development in a meaningful way 

This example demonstrates my ability to engage with influence in demanding and high powered environments. It is this skill I bring to this initiative as we need to achieve so much on what may be a limited budget. Creativity, agility and influencing with impact are skills I have that are well developed.

Included through Sport will be developed and delivered in partnership with VIRTUS.

VIRTUS established 35 years ago continues to work with Sport to embrace athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Through its member nations 88 it supports approximately 500,000 people

There are between 156 and 239 million people in the world with intellectual impairment 

Its time to disrupt its time for a new dimension of their work and Elevate provides resources to innovate

Our ambition is bold but our reasons are valid

This will change lives and this will make the world a better place

Included through Sport will demonstrate how short-term changes will lead to long-term impacts. 

Our plans and processes will link and connect all of our stakeholders during the journey of the initiative bringing stakeholders in support of our goals of providing options and opportunities for people with intellectual impairment to engage lead active, healthy and engaged lives through sport.

The Initiatives (Key Activities) will be developed with application from  immediate to long term impact

Short Term (The Why?) - will focus on knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivations

(of Government, Sport and people with intellectual impairment)

Mid Term  (The How?) - focussing on behaviour, practice, policy, procedure, activities, and methods

(in partnership with Government, Sport and people with intellectual impairment)

Long Term (The Benefits) -  enhancing and embedding improved social, economic, health and political conditions

(direct benefit to people with intellectual impairment and indirect benefit to community, benefit to sport, benefit to Government and positive global impact (ie UN SDG's)

Key Stakeholders and In Country Initiative Partners

We will engage with Stakeholders across lifecycle from The Why, The How and the Benefits

National Government - high level delegations 

National Sport Federations - presentations and meetings

National Paralympic Committee - meetings and co presenter/advocate

VIRTUS Member Nation Organisation - in country Partner for development of National Model and co delivery of initiative

Non Government actors - Corporate, NGO etc

People with an intellectual impairment their families and support agencies

Institutions - that have the academic rigour and capability to support our work and provide evidence based research and data that informs our decision making processes and impacts on our success

MIT - we are particularly interested in developing long term collaborations with MIT through the following key MIT Programs/Departments: Li-Huei Tsai and her team at the Picower Institute, Bear Lab and the Whitehead Institute.

Media - telling our story, our athletes stories

VIRTUS Current: 300,000

At end of Year one: 400,000 

At end of Year five: 1.5million

VIRTUS through its member network of 88 Nations currently supports 300,000 people with an intellectual impairment

Included through Sport initiative will increase this support and impact as follows:

Year one - above plus 100,000 (400,000)

Year two - above plus 150,000 (550,000)

Year three - above plus 250,000 (800,000)

Year four - above plus 300,000 (1.1million)

Year five - above plus 400,000 (1.5 million)

5 Year Goal is to support 1.5million people across the globe with intellectual impairment to engage with sport and sport pathways. 

The indirect multiplier effect will be significantly higher.

The social, economic and health benefits will be exponential and their positive effect will be held for generations to come

Whilst 1.5 million still only represents .63% of the worlds population with an intellectual impairment it will embed in Sport the rights of all people of all abilities to be involved. The 1.5 million+ will become local advocates and Global influencers. They will take their rightful place in the human race and sport will provide the medium.

The Included through Sport is founded on high level engagement with impact with Governmental Leaders, Sport Leaders, Community Leaders  and Corporate Leaders.

The benefits of Inclusive Sport will be clearly articulated in a nationally relevant manner to ensure cut through and buy in at the highest levels of decision making in nation and supported by global entities supporting the initiative.

Athletes with intellectual impairment and their stories will inspiring communities, sport leaders and government leaders to ensure sustainable change is supported across society.

These stories will be developed to the highest quality across a variety of mediums - film, print and social platforms will all be used.

Program Development - VIRTUS operates in 5 Regions-  Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Year one (Foundation Year) - will focus on initiatives in 4 VIRTUS Member nations in each of the VIRTUS Regions (a total of 20 Nations) plus 2 underdeveloped, developing NON VIRTUS Member Nations in each region (10 Nations) a total of 60 Nations

Year Two (Development Year for Original participants plus Foundation Yera for second cohort of Nations) - will continue work in the above Nations plus commencement of work with a further 2 VIRTUS Member Nations in each region (10 Nations) plus 1 developing Nation per region (5)

In Year Three the initiative rotates to a new cycle as per Year 1 and Year 2

As each year progresses an Alumni of Initiative members will be built -empowering our Regional Committees and Nations to continue the initiative.

Apart from COVID -19 (we will commence initiative if required utilising virtual impact and engagement measures/activities)

The greatest impediment we have to achieving goals are financial. As at Not for profit we do not have any significant reserves to drive change and have relied on a slow organic growth program.

As we have Member Nations in country across 88 Nations we have minimal impact from cultural barriers as our members will assist in delivering the initiative with local knowledge

We have Athletes in each Nation that have achieved excellence so they will assist us to achieve our goals in nation through their stories our impact will be enhanced.

There is substantial data/research to support the economic, social, health, political and humanitarian benefits of sport already. We need to continue to build on this to ensure long term sustainable impact.

The Elevate Prize will support the financial resources required to drive the Included in Sport Initiative. 

We will support this with value in kind support in country from our Member nations. 

We will also look to secure other sources of funding from AGITOS Foundation (IPC) UNESCO, UN SDG's and WHO

Financial and in kind support will also be sought from each National Government

Financial and valuer in kind support will also be sought from International Sport Federations and National Sport Federations.

Approaches to Corporate and other NGO organisations will also occur

The International Paralympic Committee

AGITOS Foundation

UNESCO and the UN SDG's

International Sport Federations

VIRTUS National Members (88 Nations)

MIT 

MIT - Picower Institute, Bear Lab, Whitehead Institute plus others

Research 

at Global and National levels to ensure benefits of Inclusive Sport across key indicators of Health, Social and Economic can be articulated to stakeholders

Resource Materials

development of high quality, impactful presentations with a mix of multimedia, infographics and (in language) formats that are clear and concise and have a Logic Model overview/matrix. All materials will be housed in a central portal and made accessible to stakeholders

Initiative Programming and timelines have been detailed previously. Staged rollout across Regions and Nations.

Presentations

personal presentations to key stakeholders supported by partner agencies and organisations and athletes bringing the Included through Sport to a clear and real focus. 

A staged approach commencing with Heads of State and Heads of Government and Senior Ministers, then Heads of Sport Federations

Workshops/Seminars/Masterclasses

presentation to Sports Federations on pathways and benefits of inclusive Sport programs and Practices including Guidance Notes, National and International Contacts and Resource Portal

The Included through Sport Initiative will secure sustainable funding across the following revenue sources:

By increasing the number of VIRTUS Member Nations - currently 88 - 5 year goal is 120 Nations (approx 50% increase)

By increasing the number of VIRTUS Athletes on the Master Eligibility List

By increasing the number of Nations and Athletes attending VIRTUS Events

By increasing the number of VIRTUS Events with a focus on Regional Multi Sport Events (Africas, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania)

By seeking and receiving National Government Funding to support in country development projects 

By seeking and receiving funding from AGITOS Foundation to develop Paralympic Pathways

By seeking and receiving funding from UNESCO/WHO  to work in underdeveloped and developing Nations

By seeking and receiving funding from National Governments to undertake development work in other Nations (Sport Diplomacy)

By seeking and receiving funding from targeted Philanthropic sources (National and Global impact)

By increasing our influence across social media channels and through mainstream media our opportunity to secure corporate sponsorship and partnerships will be enhanced

By identifying and securing partnerships with high quality educational and research institutions to continue to provide evidence based data to support our work and confirm the power of sport to change lives and to have positive social, economic, health and political outcomes

By identifying and securing support and advice from people of influence who believe in what we do and why we do it, provide us with guidance and advice, open doors, open eyes and open hearts.

VIRTUS is a not for profit organisation.

All revenue raised is reinvested within the organisation to continue our vital work.

Included through Sport has established the following high level goals for funding over the next 5 years

Year 1- US$150,000

Year 2 - US$250,000

Year 3 - US$500,000

Year 4 - US$1million

Year 5 - US$3million

All funding will be through Grants or Donations

Estimated costs for 2020/21 (12months)

Travel US$50,000

Resource Materials US$40,000

Online Portal US$20,000

Research Collaborations US$20,000

Presentations US$25,000

Workshops/Seminars US$25,000

Office costs- (utilities, insurances, rent) US$20,000

Staff Costs US$100,000

Estimated costs in first 12 months: US$300,000

Included though Sport provides a voice for those who need support to be heard.

It is their world, it is their time and Elevate and this initiative will let them shine.

Whilst the world of impairment sport has come such a long way for people with physical impairments the group we advocate for and represent has been left behind. 

There is clear evidence to support this. 

One indicator of this is the number of VIRTUS Nations (88) compared to the number of Nations that are members of the International Paralympic Committee (182) (only 48%)

Another indicator is that Athletes with an intellectual impairment can only compete in 3 sports at the Paralympic Games from a program of 23 sports on the Tokyo 2020 program (only 13%)

The domino effect of low levels of competition at Paralympic Games is substantial and impacts from grassroots investment in inclusive sport through to investment in representational levels at both VIRTUS and Paralympic Levels.

We are however optimistic as we continue to secure support from the highest levels of sport administration via our relationships, partnerships and collaborations with International Federations for Sport and the International Paralympic Committee with a commitment to grow opportunities for more athletes with an intellectual impairments across more sports at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. And that commitment comes from the President of the International Paralympic Committee ! 

So we remain resolute and confident that our vision for athletes with an intellectual impairments will soon become a reality.

International Paralympic Committee

More sports, more events at both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and other IPC Global events

AGITOS Foundation 

Funding to support projects and activities annually

UNESCO and the UN SDG's 

Funding to support enhanced programs and activities in underdeveloped and developing Nations in support of the UN SDG's and the Decade of Action 2020-2030

International Sport Federations 

More events that include athletes with an intellectual impairment

More investment in developing athlete talent

VIRTUS National Members (88 Nations) 

Grow our brand its impact and influence

Increase our athlete numbers providing enhanced support and development opportunities for them (sport and non sport perspective)

More Regional Multi Sport Events

Effective engagement with Leaders in Government - supporting a sustainable future

Partnerships with the Media - to continue to tell our athlete stories

Partnerships with institutions - to collaborate on research

Advocates with influence and impact - passionate people that believe

The International Paralympic Committee - continue to advocate for our cohort for broader inclusion in the Paralympic Movement (Global/regional/ National level)

AGITOS Foundation - develop annual ongoing projects that support and validate our athletes and the role they play in the Paralympic Movement locally and globally

UNESCO and the UN SDG's - collaborate on the positive impact VIRTUS and its work can have on the UN SDG's and also identify and develop programs and activities in underdeveloped and developing nations to support inclusive sport.

International Sport Federations - continue to develop partnerships and collaborations that engage and embrace our athletes. Make inclusion part of each Sports DNA.

VIRTUS National Members (88 Nations) - support through a robust and enhanced suite of member services our Nations to continue to enhance and expand their advocacy and influence in their Nations and to grow the athlete numbers across more sports at all levels.