ITF

➝ ITFWorld // SUMMER 2018 2 5 The event was staged at Stamford Bridge in London Networking was a principal feature of the conference Kit McConnell of the IOC wants the couch potatoes off the couch Conference, which succeeded in bringing the sporting world together and stimulating a global conversation. Held in July at Chelsea Football Club's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, close to 200 delegates, including representation from 55 National Associations, undertook a wide-ranging discussion on the growth of participation in tennis and across sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Rugby, International Table Tennis Federation, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, Sport England and Special Olympics all presented their observations, while others, like the International Golf Federation, were in attendance. While thoughts were traded and brains picked, the conference learned that tennis was in a healthy and prominent position to drive the participation debate and help formulate a cohesive and multi-layered collaboration. It was revealed that 80 million people across the globe are currently engaged in playing the sport, while it can boast an enviable participatory rate among women of 47 percent. Nevertheless, there remained essential takeaway points, which were very much in keeping with the ITF's 2017-2020 development blueprint and its overriding ITF2024 strategy. Highlighted was the need for continued and wider access to tennis facilities and deliverers to ensure maximum retention and subsequent growth in the number of consumers. The importance of sharing best practice with the relevant stakeholders was something "We will continue to work with our National Associations, Regional Associations and the industry to achieve each component of the ITF2024 strategy" K E L L Y F A I R W E A T H E R ➝

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