UK Sport

International Leadership Programme participants meet for the final time

ILP Participant Helen Reeves
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Participants on UK Sport’s third International Leadership Programme (ILP) met for the final time this week for a Closing Module at the House of Lords. Designed formally to congratulate participants on their efforts over the year the day also enabled them to reflect on their time on the programme and plan for the future.

Led by Amanda MacLean, Senior Partner of the Development Partnership, participants reflected on their programme learning by developing an ILP Charter and undertaking personal stakeholder mapping exercises.

Ben Calveley, UK Sport’s Head of International Relations, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this year’s ILP participants and wish them all the best as they develop their international careers.
"The programme has proven once again that the opportunity to learn from so many high profile international leaders is an invaluable development opportunity. I am pleased that so many of the participants have fed back positively on the programme and it is clear that they have each benefitted from the development of a strong international network which will support them in the years ahead. I thank them all for their hard work and dedication”

ILP Graduates

Celebrating the success of the programme the new graduates also used the closing module to lay down their future international career goals.

Justin Frishberg, Chair of GB Wheelchair Rugby said of his time on the ILP:
“Having had the opportunity to learn from high profile players, to share experiences with other sporting administrators and to consciously evaluate my progress throughout the year the ILP has given me the confidence to network with key people on the international scene. The idea of having any real influence used to seem very remote but now it’s very real and exciting.”

Participants were also joined by Sir Philip Craven MBE, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), John Steele, CEO of UK Sport and Tim Hollingsworth, Director of Policy and Communications, UK Sport. Setting the tone for the day Steele said:
“The International Leadership Programme continues to uncover and develop excellent individuals and this year is no exception. In the past 11 months a number of participants have gone on to secure key positions internationally and I am confident that there will be continued success ahead for these invaluable sporting leaders.”

Highlighting the challenges that lie ahead for the participants, Craven said:
“The ILP continues to provide high quality sporting administrators with the resources needed to succeed in international sports politics. The onus now rests with them to consciously put the tools they now have into practice, to maintain their new networks and to cultivate more. Challenges throughout their journey are inevitable but as long as the new graduates stay committed to the goals they set out during the programme they can be turned into real opportunities. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting this year’s participants and look forward to meeting them again as they progress in the international sports world.”

Launched in 2006, the ILP is one of several UK Sport people development programmes and is part of UK Sport’s commitment to ensure that the UK is able to contribute to the development and governance of international sport. The programme is designed to equip participants with the skills they need to become effective cross-cultural communicators able to operate successfully on the international stage and build relationships with International Federations and other key international sporting organisations.

A recruitment process for a fourth intake of the ILP will commence in April 2010. For more information on the programme please contact UK Sport’s International Relations team.

ILP Year 3 Graduates: