Health and Growth the Focus at 2016 World Rugby ConfEx-- Conferences and Conventions

(ATR)Key players in the sport of rugby plan to discuss the global growth of women's teams at the 2016 World Rugby Conference and Exhibition (ConfEx).

The new general manager for women's rugby Katie Sadlier will be joined by the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup winner Rachel Burford and former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan for a Q&A session.

Speakers will discuss how the boost in popularity of the women's sevens games at the Rio Olympics helped to increase investments and funding for the sport. They also plan to shed light on the sport's recent advancements along with discussing preparations for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland. The upcoming tournament is expected to draw the largest ever global audience for this event.

"Women’s rugby is one of our major growth areas with two million women and girls playing the game worldwide. Aided by increased investment and driven by our strategic Women’s Rugby Plan, which offers a clear vision for growth, it is also one of the fastest-growing team sports in the world," World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said in a statement.

Along with the rising popularity of the sport, the welfare of rugby athletes is also a major discussion topic at the ConfEx.

As part of a medical segment at the conference physicians and other experts will have the opportunity to discuss the latest in medical developments and share knowledge on best practices.

World Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer Martin Raftery, Senior Scientist at New Zealand Rugby Dr. Ken Quarrie and member of the International Rugby Players' Association (IRPA) Josh Blackie plan to discuss solutions to support and preserve the health and well-being of rugby's athletes as well as explore strategies to decrease injury in the games.

The theme of the conference is analyzing the future of rugby and determining ways the federation can excel in the ever-changing landscape of the Olympic Movement. The conference will also discuss the impact of rugby’s return to the Olympics in Rio and its efforts to be a mainstay on the Olympic program.

The 2016 edition of the event will be preceded by the World Rugby Awards for the first time.

"World Rugby ConfEx 2016 is shaping up to be our best yet with more participants, a vibrant and engaging exhibition space and a varied and insightful agenda," Gosper adds.

The conference is being held at the Hilton London Metropole from Nov. 14-15.

IWG reshapes Africa Women in Sport

The 6th annual Africa Women in Sport conference begins Oct.14 in Gaborone, Botswana.

The International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) will bring together 225 scholars, leaders, athletes as well as key sport organizations to examine ways to spread positive change for women and sport in Africa.

The theme of the conference this year is "Reshaping Africa Women and Sport".

The intensive two-day conference features keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions exploringtopics such as the influence of culture and media and the effect it has on women in sport.

Thorough discussions of gender based violence in sport,promoting equal access to sport andmentorship and empowering of women in Africawill also be held in parallel sessions.

Organizations such as the African Union (AU), ANOCA, IOC, The Commonwealth, Council of Europe, UN Women, UNESCO, TAFISA, Peace and Sport, NGO’s and Women in Sport Businesses are all expected to attend.

The Africa Women in Sport conference will conclude on Oct.15.

The SPORTEL Awards Ceremony is fast approaching

The sports marketing and media business convention SPORTEL will be hosting the annual SPORTEL awards in October.

During the ceremony the best international sports videos and illustrated books will be rewarded.

A jury of Olympic icons and personalities of the sports and media industries will present the Golden Podium prize - an original piece created by French painter Raymond Moretti - along with the Sports Book prize.

Jury Members will include Olympic Boxing Champion Estelle Mossely and Paralympic Champion Richard Whitehead.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Oct. 25 and will be broadcast on the European television channel L’Equipe 21.

FAI hosts conference on drone technology

The World Air Sports Federation will host the 1st FAI International Drone Conference and Expo in 2017.

Speakers at the conference will include drone businesses, manufacturers, media, governments, aviation authorities and more to discuss topics such as future developments in drone technology and safe practices for recreational use.

"We are committed to helping build a platform for drone related innovation as well as developing drone flying in a safe way, in line with the general ‘safe practice’ guidelines that apply to other air sports" stated FAI Secretary General Susanne Schodel.

"The FAI International Drone Conference and Expo will be the perfect opportunity to explore the issues around this exciting and new technology and air sports discipline and provide a platform for the many and diverse interested parties to come together"Schodel adds.

FAI hopes to connect stakeholders in the global arena of drones as well as promote drones in sport at the conference.

The official date for the conference has yet to be announced.

Conference Schedule

Africa Women and Sport Conference: Oct. 14-15

SPORTEL Awards and Convention: Oct. 25 -26

International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport: Oct. 27-28

World Rugby Conference and Exhibition: Nov. 14-15

Host City 2016: Nov. 21-22

Peace and Sport International Forum: Nov. 23-25

FINA World Aquatics Convention: Dec. 3-5

International Sports Convention:Dec. 7-8

IPC Vista Conference: Sep. 19-22, 2017

Written by Courtney Colquitt.

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