Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 YY - LEADERBOARD

VU, Sport Australia Hall of Fame and industry elites on the future of sport

by Frances Atkinson 22 May 2020 07:57 BST 26 May 2020
Australian Sailing Royalty - John Bertrand AO and Iain Murray AM at the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships © John Curnow

With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing all sport, from grassroots games to elite competitions, to a grinding halt we need to look at how we bring it back in these new and unprecedented times.

On Tuesday, 26 May (3.30-5pm), sports administrators and industry leaders will come together for the annual National Sport Integrity Forum: Return to Sport: Risks, Rewards, Opportunities and Challenges.

This fifth forum (via Zoom webinar) is an opportunity for Victoria University and its industry partners, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Australian Institute of Sport and Sportscover, to meet with leaders at the forefront of the sport industry and discuss the moral, legal and ethical issues related to playing and spectating in the wake of COVID-19.

Forum facilitator VU's Professor Hans Westerbeek says "I have no doubt that sport will return to community playing fields and stadiums with renewed strength. As a matter of fact, I believe that demand for community delivered sport will increase as a result of government messaging about the importance of exercising and staying active during restrictions. The question is, how will and can sport return stronger to ensure it is more fail proof against extreme external shocks such as a pandemic?"

As social distancing measures begin to lift, sport will start the complex journey back to centre stage. But what will the return to healthy activity, community participation and elite sport look like in a post-pandemic world?

Iconic sporting legend John Bertrand AO, Chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame says, "How will sport look after this pandemic, with the incredible disruption within our society? There will be rapid changes. In particular, we have entered a new world of broadcasting both with traditional media and online streaming. With great change, comes great opportunity."

National Sport Integrity Forum: Return to Sport: Risks, Rewards, Opportunities and Challenges forum panellists include:

  • Dr David Hughes, Chief Medical Officer, Australian Institute of Sport
  • Leigh Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Swimming Australia
  • Craig Tiley, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Australia
  • David Sharpe APM OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Sports Integrity Australia
  • Lynne Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Paralympics Australia
  • Wayne Pearce OAM, Commissioner, ARL
To arrange interviews with Professor Hans Westerbeek, Mr John Bertrand AO and Dr David Hughes contact Frances Atkinson, Media Advisor, Victoria University on 0435 960 793. To attend the webinar, email:

Related Articles

The Battle for La Larga begins
As the fleet heads towards Ibiza With very light winds and after a postponement of more than four hours, La Larga finally got under way today at 16h20 in the Bay of Palma. Posted today at 6:25 pm
Register for the International Optimist Regatta
Early entry discount ends May 1! Register now for the 32nd International Optimist Regatta (IOR), TOTE Clinic, and TOTE Team Race, June 9-15, 2025. Posted today at 4:38 pm
56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères overall
USA skiffs gold and silver as Italy and China top medal table The final day of the 56th edition of French Olympic Week saw Italy join China at the top of the medal table as they won a medal of every colour across the six Medal Races after China's exploits on Friday. Posted today at 3:22 pm
Transat Paprec Day 7
Michel Desjoyeaux: "Ordinary people wouldn't agree to live through this" THE INTERVIEW. He will forever be the first. Alongside Jacques Caraës, Michel Desjoyeaux won the inaugural edition of the Transat Paprec. That was in 1992—he wasn't yet known as "the Professor," but already had all the talent. Posted today at 2:48 pm
2025 ILCA 6 Youth Europeans
The Performance Academy were joined by 17 sailors in Vilamoura The Performance Academy were joined by 17 sailors in Vilamoura over the last two weeks for the 2025 ILCA 6 Youth Europeans. The ILCA 6 Europeans saw over 260 boys and 120 girls compete, in what was a hectic week of big breeze and big sea state. Posted today at 11:29 am
Clipper Race announces line up of First Mates
Each First Mate will assist their Race Skipper in leading their teams of non-professionals The Clipper Race First Mates who will be helping to lead a team in the toughest endurance challenge on the planet have been announced. Posted today at 10:21 am
Tideway Wealth Management sponsor UK J/70 Class
Support continues for a third consecutive year Support continues for a third consecutive year, with a full calendar ahead and Nationals a highlight event as part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club 250th regatta. Posted today at 8:59 am
DF95 Spring Series Event 4 at Barton's Point
The forecast 9kts dropping to 0-1kt proved accurate The forecast 9kts dropping to 0-1kt proved accurate, but the tree free banks of the coastal park allowed 12 races to be completed. Of the 14 skippers there 12 competed, with Ralph Wilkinson as RO and Rob Owens as observer. Posted on 25 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 6
A high-tension weekend At sea for six days, the competitors have already completed a quarter of the Transat Paprec course. After crossing the Bay of Biscay, rounding Cape Finisterre, and sailing down the Portuguese coast, the fleet has now stretched out. Posted on 25 Apr
56th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères day 5
Israel deny China triple gold On a day of high pressure - in all senses - and drama in all the Medal series, team power and individual brilliance produced some of the closest board Finals in Hyères history. Posted on 25 Apr