Alternate Sign InFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

Designing learning strategies fit for organisations

CREATE

Building education systems and learning pathways 

to achieve organisational priorities

DEVELOP

Providing quality assurance and course delivery

DELIVER

Establishing International frameworks for those organisations and individuals who achieve quality standards

ACCREDIT

Monitoring, evaluating and supporting the continuous improvement of organisational learning and development

EVALUATE

Visit our Industry Pathway website for more information

      In 123 countries across every continent

          From 46 sports

              Over $450,000 (USD) in scholarships provided since May 2020

                  WAoS has assisted thousands of athletes around the world:

                      Creating sustainable systems to support dual career options for student-athletes

                          Scholarships for athletes to study international sports management and turn their passion for sport into a profession

                              The World Academy of Sport (WAoS) is a social enterprise that supports athletes around the world through:

                                  Designing learning strategies fit for organisations

                                  Building education systems and learning pathways to achieve organisational priorities

                                  Providing quality assurance and course delivery

                                  Establishing International frameworks for those organisations and individuals who achieve quality standards

                                  We create learning systems for the following sectors.

                                  04/

                                  03/

                                  02/

                                  01/

                                  plusFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                  plusFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                  plusFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                  plusFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                  WAoS creates structural change where learning and education can assist organisations in achieving strategic goals. Get in contact if you need world leading education to empower your workforce or assist in reinventing your organisation's business model. 

                                      Individual Professional Development

                                      Governments

                                      International Sport Federations

                                      Events

                                      LEARNING SERVICES

                                      Our Learning Management System in the cloud has been created to support the learning process in any language, culture and location.

                                      plusFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                      05/

                                      Censeo

                                      The Global Sport Agora (GSA) aims to create a safe space where business, investors and sport meet to debate topics of common interest and seek better coordination between sport and business.
                                      The relationship between sport and business has evolved in a somewhat ad hoc manner. 


                                      Currently, there are several relationship models. The GSA aims to adopt a more contemporary framework to better align the relationship between sport and private enterprise, to move beyond the current paradigm, so that the needs of sport at all levels can be met while allowing business to enjoy financial and social returns.

                                      OUR PARTNERS

                                      NEWS

                                      2023-11-16
                                      Egyptian Adham Hatem Elgamal, is the latest international badminton player to share his dual career journey story within both badminton and academia. Adham was awarded a scholarship by Badminton World Federat...
                                      BADMINTON PLAYER SHARES DUAL CAREER STORY
                                      2023-11-28
                                      Following the recent conclusion of the 2023 Global Sport Agora (GSA), produced by the World Academy of Sport (WAoS) and hosted by the City of London Corporation, the date of 22nd October 2024 has been announced...
                                      DATE ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2024 GLOBAL SPORT AGORA
                                      2023-12-15
                                      World Academy of Sport (WAoS) announced today that the much-anticipated second edition of the AFEC Championships Tennis, would be returning to the prestigious International School of Monaco (ISM), a valued memb...
                                      WAOS ANNOUNCES SECOND EDITION OF AFEC CHAMPIONSHIPS TENNIS HOSTED BY INTERNATION...

                                      Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce eu eleifend risus, vitae porta massa. Vivamus vel ultricies arcu. Maecenas hendrerit efficitur ex id luctus. Suspendisse potenti. Aliquam aliquet bibendum libero, eget consectetur libero vestibulum ac. Pellentesque eu feugiat ante, eget tristique nisl.

                                      Headline goes here

                                      Date:

                                      Player Pathway Programme

                                          FIBA

                                              Here is a diverse selection of various projects that we have created and delivered

                                              Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                              Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                              Bahrian Olympic Committee (BOC)

                                                  Sports Authority of Thailand

                                                      IPC Academy

                                                          Badminton World Federation (BWF)

                                                              International Tennis Federation (ITF)

                                                                  Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                  Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                  Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                  Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                  IPC Academy Inclusion Summit

                                                                      IPC Academy Excellence Programme

                                                                          Information, Knowledge and Games Learning (IKL)

                                                                              Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                              Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                              Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                              Games Campus

                                                                                  Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                  OUR PROJECTS

                                                                                  Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                  Here is a diverse selection of various projects that we have created and delivered

                                                                                  OUR PROJECTS

                                                                                  Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT)
                                                                                  Games Learning Model
                                                                                  International Tennis Federation (ITF)
                                                                                  Sport and Social Infrastructure
                                                                                  Athlete Pathway Programme
                                                                                  Badminton World Federation (BWF)
                                                                                  FIBA Academy 3X3 School Hoops
                                                                                  Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC)

                                                                                  At the core of WAoS, are the people that play a part in providing world leading, tailored education programmes and strategies with our partners.


                                                                                  Each and every individual shares the WAoS vision to provide learning pathways for participants throughout the international sport sector.


                                                                                  For further details on who our people are, please see below.

                                                                                  OUR PEOPLE

                                                                                  angle-downFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                  angle-downFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                  angle-downFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                  INTERNATIONAL

                                                                                  ADVISORY BOARD

                                                                                  TRAINERS

                                                                                  VISITING FELLOWS

                                                                                  OUR TEAM

                                                                                  angle-downFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                  OUR TEAM

                                                                                  Director, Industry Pathway
                                                                                  Steven Potts
                                                                                  Chief Operating Officer
                                                                                  Lin Zhang
                                                                                  Director, Digital & Services
                                                                                  Michael Cary
                                                                                  Chief Executive Officer
                                                                                  Chris Solly
                                                                                  Graphic Designer
                                                                                  Jack Owen
                                                                                  Senior Programme Manager, Education Services
                                                                                  Jordan Beckett
                                                                                  Head of Education Services
                                                                                  Ramone Cooper
                                                                                  Head of Education Content & Communications
                                                                                  Rachael Church
                                                                                  Projects & Full Stack Engineer
                                                                                  Rusiate Sevutaka
                                                                                  Lead Engineer, Censeo
                                                                                  Simon Moore
                                                                                  Executive Assistant
                                                                                  Valentine Ganesan
                                                                                  Head of Pathways
                                                                                  Andrey Vorontsov
                                                                                  WAoS General Counsel
                                                                                  Mike Townley
                                                                                  Senior Programme Manager, Education Services
                                                                                  Aimilios Sampanis
                                                                                  Programme Manager, Education Services
                                                                                  Kostas Anestos
                                                                                  DevOps & Back End Engineer
                                                                                  Avinash Barik
                                                                                  Management Accountant
                                                                                  Rebecca Finn

                                                                                  INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

                                                                                  The International Advisory Board (IAB) was established in 2009 to advise and support the work of WAoS.​The IAB consists of influential persons coming from international sport and education. The work undertaken with WAoS makes a significant contribution in the form of expert advice, knowledge and direction.


                                                                                  The IAB is chaired by Mr François Carrard, former Director General of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is made up of various leaders from the international sport, education, government and industry sectors and is representative of the WAoS partners including athlete representation. Such support continues to underline the international importance of activities undertaken by WAoS and the importance with which our sporting and educational partners place on the needs for tailored industry education.


                                                                                  The key objectives of the Board are:


                                                                                  -To provide strategic direction and leadership to the WAoS,

                                                                                  -To build relationships between sports partners in order to develop industry standards for sports education for implementation by education partners,

                                                                                  -To provide advice in relation to WAoS,

                                                                                  -To provide independent industry advice,

                                                                                  -To represent the interests and advocate the long term value of WAoS to industry stakeholders.

                                                                                    Paralympian
                                                                                    Helene Raynsford
                                                                                    Secretary General, World Archery (WA)
                                                                                    Tom Dielen
                                                                                    CEO, International Tennis Federation
                                                                                    Kelly Fairweather
                                                                                    Chairperson
                                                                                    Sir Philip Craven
                                                                                    World Curling Federation
                                                                                    Kate Caithness
                                                                                    President, Badminton World Federation
                                                                                    Poul-Erik Hoyer Lars...
                                                                                    Ex-Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London
                                                                                    Prof. Paul Layzell
                                                                                    Strategic Director - Neighbourhoods, Manchester City Council
                                                                                    Neil Fairlamb
                                                                                    President Commonwealth Games Federation
                                                                                    Dame Louise Martin, ...
                                                                                    Vice President, United World Wrestling (UWW)
                                                                                    Stanley Dziedzic
                                                                                    International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
                                                                                    Florian Wanninger
                                                                                    President of International Ski Federation
                                                                                    Johan Eliash
                                                                                    Honorary member of International Netball Federation
                                                                                    Molly Rhone
                                                                                    CEO World Olympian Association
                                                                                    Mike Miller
                                                                                    Chief Player Welfare & Rugby Services Officer - World Rugby
                                                                                    Mark Harrington
                                                                                    Sport Administration Consultant (former South African cricketer and ICC CEO)
                                                                                    David Richardson
                                                                                    Chief Executive Officer WAoS
                                                                                    Chris Solly
                                                                                    Director, World Academy of Sport
                                                                                    Dean Gosper
                                                                                    Director of Outreach and Conferences, International Baccalaureate Organization
                                                                                    Haif Bannayan

                                                                                    WAoS appoints its Visiting Fellows based on their demonstrated expertise and recognition within the industry sector they represent. The following individuals have been appointed as Visiting Fellows of WAoS and present on a number of our industry leading programmes.

                                                                                    VISITING FELLOWS

                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Derek Nix
                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Dr Thomas Chermack
                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Apostolos Rigas
                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Steve Griffiths
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Ian Horseman Sewell
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Eamonn O'Rourke
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Ben Emerson
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Dr Anne Lytle
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Tatjana Haenni
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Steve Loader
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Mike Hay
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Dr John Rutter
                                                                                    Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Troy Engle

                                                                                    TRAINERS

                                                                                    Master Trainer
                                                                                    Steve Griffiths
                                                                                    Master Trainer
                                                                                    Rachel Faull-Brown
                                                                                    Master Trainer
                                                                                    Gene Tong
                                                                                    Master Trainer
                                                                                    Antony Robinson
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Gary Henderson
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Clare Daniels
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Alison O'Riordan
                                                                                    Master Trainer
                                                                                    Simon Jones
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Pan Chao
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Mauricio Migliano
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Leo Chuan
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Jo Martin
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Yu XiaoXiang
                                                                                    Trainer
                                                                                    Wu Zhihong
                                                                                    angle-downFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                    angle-downFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                    INTERNATIONAL

                                                                                    ADVISORY BOARD

                                                                                    OUR TEAM

                                                                                    Back End Engineer
                                                                                    Avinash Barik
                                                                                    Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                    Front End Programmer

                                                                                    Davin McDonald
                                                                                    Full Stack Engineer
                                                                                    Rusiate Sevutaka
                                                                                    Assistant Engineer
                                                                                    Migara Kalubowilage

                                                                                    Online Training Technical Administrator

                                                                                    Natasha Ilkin
                                                                                    Coordinator, Observation & Experience


                                                                                    Aimilios Sampanis


                                                                                    Graphic Designer / Artworker



                                                                                    Jack Owen


                                                                                    PA to Directors


                                                                                    Valentine Ganesan

                                                                                    Accounts & Admin Assistant

                                                                                    Sarah Bridge
                                                                                    Project Manager, Education Services
                                                                                    Jordan Beckett
                                                                                    Manager, Observation & Experience



                                                                                    Kostas Anestos


                                                                                    Sara Williams

                                                                                    Project Coordinator, IF Relations

                                                                                    Francesco Fiorini
                                                                                    Lead Software Engineer
                                                                                    Simon Moore
                                                                                    eLearning Curriculum Developer



                                                                                    Sarah Nicholson


                                                                                    HR Manager
                                                                                    Alison George
                                                                                    Manager, Training and Education

                                                                                    Alexandre Dufault
                                                                                    Project Manager, Education Services


                                                                                    Senior Co-ordinator, Education Services
                                                                                    Joe Lewis
                                                                                    Manager Learning Pathways


                                                                                    Priscilla Moreira

                                                                                    Manager, Academic Services
                                                                                    Laura Elliott

                                                                                    Manager, Digital & IT Services
                                                                                    Craig Morris
                                                                                    Manager, AFEC Marketing & Licensing



                                                                                    Anne Louise Williams


                                                                                    Case Writer & Education Content Developer 

                                                                                    Rebecca Rothwell

                                                                                    Manager, Event Learning Programmes and Services

                                                                                    Senior Manager, Education Services


                                                                                    Kostas Zafeiropoulos

                                                                                    Maria Dablin

                                                                                    OGLM Project Manager
                                                                                    Director, Strategy & Special Projects
                                                                                    Associate Director, Education Services



                                                                                    Director, Educational Partnerships & Government Projects

                                                                                    Eleanor Berry
                                                                                    Prof Gordon Mandry
                                                                                    Ramone Cooper



                                                                                    Ben Mandry
                                                                                    Lin Zhang
                                                                                    Director of Strategy, Finance and Corporate Services

                                                                                    Director of Corporate & Government
                                                                                    Steven Potts
                                                                                    Deputy Managing Director, Sports & Event Learning
                                                                                    Xavier Gonzalez
                                                                                    Director of Education Content and Policy


                                                                                    Rachael Church

                                                                                    Deputy Managing Director, Academic, Licensing & Technology 
                                                                                    Michael Cary
                                                                                    Chris Solly

                                                                                    OUR TEAM

                                                                                    Managing Director

                                                                                    Ben Emerson

                                                                                     Visiting Fellow
                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow

                                                                                    Eamonn O'Rourke

                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow

                                                                                    Anna Falconer

                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow

                                                                                    Sue Bridgewater

                                                                                    WAoS appoints its Visiting Fellows based on their demonstrated expertise and recognition within the industry sector they represent. The following individuals have been appointed as Visiting Fellows of WAoS and present on a number of our industry leading programmes.

                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow

                                                                                    Steve Griffiths

                                                                                    Apostolos Rigas

                                                                                    VISITING FELLOWS

                                                                                    Senior Visiting Fellow


                                                                                    RBI Network

                                                                                    Richard Bunn

                                                                                    Strategic Director and Development, Manchester City Council

                                                                                    Eddie Smith

                                                                                    Principal (RHUL)

                                                                                    Prof Paul Layzell

                                                                                    Head of IB World Schools (IB)

                                                                                    Adrian Kearney

                                                                                    Director (WAoS)

                                                                                    Dean Gosper

                                                                                    Managing Director (WAoS)

                                                                                    Chris Solly

                                                                                    Secretary General (WA)

                                                                                    Tom Dielen

                                                                                    COO (ITF)

                                                                                    Kelly Fairweather

                                                                                    Head of Technical Services (WR)

                                                                                    Mark Harrington
                                                                                    Florian Wanninger
                                                                                    Franҫois Carrard

                                                                                    The International Advisory Board (IAB) was established in 2009 to advise and support the work of WAoS.​The IAB consists of influential persons coming from international sport and education. The work undertaken with WAoS makes a significant contribution in the form of expert advice, knowledge and direction.


                                                                                    The IAB is chaired by Mr François Carrard, former Director General of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is made up of various leaders from the international sport, education, government and industry sectors and is representative of the WAoS partners including athlete representation. Such support continues to underline the international importance of activities undertaken by WAoS and the importance with which our sporting and educational partners place on the needs for tailored industry education.


                                                                                    The key objectives of the Board are:


                                                                                    • To provide strategic direction and leadership to the WAoS,
                                                                                    • To build relationships between sports partners in order to develop industry standards for sports education for implementation by education partners,
                                                                                    • To provide advice in relation to WAoS,
                                                                                    • To provide independent industry advice,
                                                                                    • To represent the interests and advocate the long term value of WAoS to industry stakeholders.
                                                                                    President (INF)
                                                                                    Molly Rhone
                                                                                    Paralympian (IPC)



                                                                                    Helene Raynsford

                                                                                    CEO (WOA)

                                                                                    Mike Miller

                                                                                    Vice President (UWW)

                                                                                    President (BWF)


                                                                                    Stanley Dziedzic
                                                                                    Poul-Erik Høyer
                                                                                    CEO (ICC)


                                                                                    Ex President (IPC), Board Member (Toyota)



                                                                                    Director (IBF)
                                                                                    David Richardson


                                                                                    Sir Philip Craven


                                                                                    IAB Chairman
                                                                                    Attorney & Ex Director General (IOC)

                                                                                    INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

                                                                                    Tony Robinson

                                                                                    Rachel Faull-Brown

                                                                                    Simon Jones

                                                                                    Steve Griffiths

                                                                                    Gene Tong

                                                                                    TRAINERS

                                                                                    Chris Solly

                                                                                    Chris is Director of the World Academy of Sport, as well as Managing Director of IF Education. IF Education is an education service provider, in partnership with a number of International Sporting Federations, establishing educational courses for athletes and sporting administrators.

                                                                                    In 1999 Chris was instrumental in the conception and creation of Olympic Games Knowledge Services (OGKS), a joint venture with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Chris was a member of this company board until late 2004 when the IOC acquired the joint venture company shareholding which he represented.

                                                                                    Prior to this Chris was the inaugural Chief Executive of the Australian Ski Institute as the forerunner to the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, an internationally recognised high performance centre of athletic excellence. In addition, he has represented Australia at five Winter Universiades, on four occasions holding the position of Chef de Mission. He has also held prominent roles in the University sporting world on the board of directors of Australian University Sport for a number of years during his academic career.

                                                                                    Based in Switzerland, Chris holds a BSc (Hons) and is regularly working with many of the International Sporting Federations on their athlete and executive education programmes. He was an executive committee member of the 2004 and 2008 Australian Prime Minister's Olympic Dinner Committee.


                                                                                    Michael Cary

                                                                                    As Deputy Managing Director of the World Academy of Sport (WAoS), Michael is responsible for many areas across the business including its digital platform, Event Learning and Athlete Friendly Education Centres. He has been a founding member of the WAoS team and therefore instrumental across all aspects of the organisation from fostering its many partners, developing each of the product and service areas through to developing its overall brand.


                                                                                    Michael developed his technical skiing skills through coaching and ski instructing in both Australia and Canada having completed a BSc Human Movement (Sport Science). He moved into administrative and management roles across several industry sectors and assisted Ski and Snowboard Australia on a voluntary capacity throughout 2001 and 2002.


                                                                                    Since 2002 he has focussed on the creation of World Academy of Sport and has been at the forefront of developing industry focussed education programmes for its many international sport federation partners, often working on bringing concepts to fruition.  He has been the architect of the digital learning platform which has been developed inhouse to meet the requirements of delivering education with strong quality assurance processes throughout the world in multiple languages and cultures as well as being an important tool to assist the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.


                                                                                    Through its partnership with the International Baccalaureate WAoS has developed an international approach to increasing access to education for high-performing student-athletes so they can better balance their demanding sport and education commitments known as Athlete Friendly Education Centres. This initiative has been a particular rationale for the original establishment of WAoS and Michael passionately believes in the invaluable contribution such a project can have on many student athletes' lives in the coming years.



                                                                                    OUR STORY

                                                                                    OUR STORY

                                                                                    WAoS has been involved in multiple aspects of the international sport industry for many years. Beginning with establishing the Australian Ski Institute with the vision to win Australia's first Olympic medal on snow. What was created not only achieved success in the most unlikely of sports from Australia but formed a legacy that continues to this day through the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia.


                                                                                    While creating ski champions and travelling to Winter Olympic Games we observed two things;


                                                                                    • That sport systems often cannot support champion athletes to maintain a dual career; and
                                                                                    • That the wheel was reinvented for each Olympic Games

                                                                                    SPORT FOUNDATION

                                                                                    From 1999 through to 2004, the founders of WAoS created a joint venture company with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) known as OGKS. This established the process of transferring knowledge from one Olympic Games to the next. The company was successful in its aims having systemised a consistent approach to knowledge management in the Olympic Movement and also providing support to the IRB (now World Rugby) and the Commonwealth Games Federation. The IOC ultimately bought the existing shares in OGKS and established this as an internal department known as Olympic Games Knowledge Management (OGKM) within the IOC.

                                                                                    OLYMPIC GAMES KNOWLEDGE SERVICES (OGKS)

                                                                                    Since 2005, WAoS has sought to address the issue of athletes maintaining a balance between sport and education. Through the knowledge gained in running national sporting organisations and running mega events, WAoS developed a series of specialist approaches to create education that is specific to the needs of international sport federations and their member associations around the world, often in partnership with world leading universities.



                                                                                    SPORT EDUCATION

                                                                                    From the founding principles of the education offering provided by the WAoS, its focus progressively moved to ensuring a tailored approach for its International Sport Federation (IF) partners. From 2010, this resulted in expanded offerings of Executive Education and People Development through ‘Train the Trainer’ and online courses. Innovation has been at the core of WAoS industry specialisation such as the founding of the IPC Academy Excellence Programme to drive integration and innovation of the Paralympic Games. This has now developed to the current day WAoS with a broad range of proven methodologies and a tailored digital learning platform that is specific to the needs of sport and project-based organisations.


                                                                                    INDUSTRY SPECIALISATION

                                                                                    WAoS developed the Olympic Games Learning Model (OGLM) in partnership with OGKM in 2015 and commenced roll out of this new learning approach to future Organising Committees of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OCOGs).


                                                                                    Meanwhile, projects such as Athlete Friendly Education Centres (AFEC) have allowed many schools around the world to become accredited and thereby offering flexible education to school aged student-athletes. This project has seen policy change within international education frameworks to allow more flexibility in school curriculums and assessments in partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB).



                                                                                    GLOBAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS

                                                                                    WAoS products and services provide industry leading insight to those within the industry along with those wishing to access it.


                                                                                    The WAoS fully online education pathway for international sport management takes participants from high school to Postgraduate education to create structural change where learning and education can assist organisations and individuals in achieving their strategic goals.

                                                                                    WAoS’ international network is enriched through the direct education delivery partnerships with industry thought leaders and its many international partners.



                                                                                    ACCESS & OUTREACH

                                                                                    Phone SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                    EnvelopeFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                    +44 0161 639 0950

                                                                                    Map Marker-altFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                    World Academy of Sport

                                                                                    21 Windmill Parade 

                                                                                    Mount Martha 

                                                                                    3934

                                                                                    Victoria, Australia

                                                                                    CopyrightFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                    World Academy of Sport 2024

                                                                                    World Academy of Sport

                                                                                    iLife Centre

                                                                                    Route Suisse 8A

                                                                                    1163 Etoy

                                                                                    Switzerland

                                                                                    World Academy of Sport

                                                                                    Orega, The Tootal Buildings

                                                                                    Broadhurst House

                                                                                    56 Oxford Street

                                                                                    Manchester

                                                                                    M1 6EU

                                                                                    UK


                                                                                    FOLLOW US

                                                                                    GET IN TOUCH

                                                                                    EnvelopeFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                    Many activities have been established to support the IOC’s Games Department and OCOGs through applying several WAoS methodologies. For example, The Games Experience Programme, developed to provide unique behind the scenes learning for the major event industry, Learning Pathways have been established and implemented in OCOGs along with online learning, case studies, train the trainer and executive education programmes among others and all underpinned by ‘Censeo’, the WAoS Learning Platform.


                                                                                    OGKM evolved in 2020 to now be known as Information, Knowledge and Games Learning (IKL). This evolution provides a refreshed focus on learning for the future of Games Management activities. 

                                                                                    OUTCOMES

                                                                                    SOLUTION

                                                                                    Through planning with WAoS over 18 months, a strategy was constructed to develop the Olympic Games Learning Model (OGLM) to better service each respective Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OCOG) and instil a passion for ‘learning and sharing’. Subsequent to the strategy development, WAoS has worked as the education provider to OGKM to develop and implement a number of learning services across the IOC Games Management Team and with future OCOGs.

                                                                                    BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                    Information, Knowledge and Games Learning (IKL)

                                                                                    Formerly Olympic Games Knowledge Management (OGKM), this area of the International Olympic Committee was responsible for the capture, configuration and disemination of knowledge related to Games delivery. Following London 2012, OGKM was poised to embark on a new strategy, namely OGKM 3.0. Learning was an important aspect that was focused on within the natural evolution of OGKM, and therefore a conversation with WAoS was instigated to develop this new approach.

                                                                                    Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                    Our Projects:

                                                                                        Games Learning Model

                                                                                            Athlete Pathway Programme

                                                                                                Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                                Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                                Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                                Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)
                                                                                                Alternate External Link SquareFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                                Our Projects:

                                                                                                    International Tennis Federation (ITF)

                                                                                                        Badminton World Federation (BWF)

                                                                                                            FIBA

                                                                                                                EnvelopeFont Awesome Free 5.0.6 by @fontawesome - http://fontawesome.com License - http://fontawesome.com/license (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License)

                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                The 3x3 School Hoops pilot project garnered significant interest from 16 Greater Manchester area schools and considerable participation from both girls and boys. With the success of the 3x3 School Hoops Festival, social media coverage and Press Releases distributed through FIBA.basketball drew attention and impressions to the 3x3 School Hoops programme. The programme is now expanding through roll-out in other UK cities and other countries thereafter.

                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                Through WAoS’ longstanding relationship with the city of Manchester and the participation of Basketball England, the FIBA Academy (a joint venture between FIBA and World Academy of Sport) developed a 6 month programme, establishing a training framework to engage schools and develop resources for teachers and students to implement 3x3 in schools throughout the city. WAoS developed and delivered training sessions, learning materials, drills books, exercises and curriculums for physical education classes in local schools. The programme culminated in an outdoor 3x3 School Hoops festival hosted at Manchester City’s iconic Etihad Stadium on July 12 2019, with the participation of FIBA 3x3 skills gold medal winner Dahlia Monteiro.

                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                FIBA ACADEMY 3X3 SCHOOL HOOPS

                                                                                                                With 3x3 basketball set to become the newest Olympic discipline at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the opportunity was there to create a grassroots mass participation programme engaging local schools, communities and the National Federation. The discipline, as the world’s most played urban team sport, provided an excellent platform to showcase WAoS’ People Development methodology, by training Ambassadors, Physical Education Coaches and students thereby increasing participation in youth sports and leveraging interest in 3x3 basketball locally.

                                                                                                                Our Sports Partners:

                                                                                                                    Our Projects:

                                                                                                                        London 2012 Olympics

                                                                                                                            London 2012 Paralympics

                                                                                                                                Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

                                                                                                                                    Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics

                                                                                                                                        Rio 2016 Olympics

                                                                                                                                            Rio 2016 Paralympics

                                                                                                                                                PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics

                                                                                                                                                    PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics

                                                                                                                                                        Lima 2019 Pan American Games

                                                                                                                                                            Lima 2019 Parapan American Games

                                                                                                                                                                Feedback throughout 2019 was extremely positive and the ITF has now embarked on further engagement with its members to make use of the tools that the ITF Academy provides.

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                Following a selective competitive tender, WAoS was identified as the stand-out respondent to the requirements of the large technology project that was envisioned given our tried and tested learning platform, our understanding of the needs of international sport federations and our approach to partnership. The design of the ITF Academy was instigated which entailed the provision of a simple self-publishing eLearning SaaS solution, a complete rebuild of iCoach - with additional features to future proof the system - and an overhaul of coaching certification and on-court-assessments. Naturally, the approach was undertaken in a responsive context with the site now recognised as significant in the digital portfolio of the ITF. It was also the first partnership to apply the new ITF brand allowing a partner to implement this for the first time.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                International Tennis Federation (ITF)

                                                                                                                                                                The ITF recognised the need to update its coaching processes to better utilise digital technologies and further enhance its service offering to all member nations. Additionally, its successful but dated iCoach platform (which provided rich video content and resources to tennis coaches around the world), was increasingly becoming difficult to maintain given technologies had moved on dramatically from when it was first developed in the mid-2000s.

                                                                                                                                                                Following the successful Observers Programmes in Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010, the IPC Academy identified that there was a broader group of organisations and individuals that could be serviced through an expanded programme and also enhance the existing offering of the Observers Programme. Traditionally, the Observers Programme was delivered throughout the Paralympic Games and provided the opportunity for future OCOGs, Bid Cities and other Paralympic event organisers to see ‘behind the scenes’ and hear from OCOG leaders and other experts in order to better understand Games operations.


                                                                                                                                                                Meanwhile, the Games Experience programme(GEP) is an integrated education journey coordinated by WAoS for future OCOGs. The GEP provides anopportunity for individuals to participate in a structured, tailor-made programme, which allows OCOGs to not only witness and observe real Games-time operations, but to have access to the various managers and knowledgeable staff to enhance their learning process.

                                                                                                                                                                Due to the success of the GEP, the IOC has integrated its former Observers Programme into the framework of the Games Campus concept. The GEP is now delivered as one continuous learning opportunity from before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games right through to the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games. WAoS works with both the IOC and IPC to deliver this important operation over a 60-day period.

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                Leading into London 2012, the IPC Academy under took an overhaul of the offering to provide enhanced activities throughout the Observers Programme, a new GEP for suppliers, governments and others interested in the mega event industry and an Inclusion Summit all within the banner of a ‘Games Campus’. The three programmes facilitated a variety of activities. For example, the Observers Programme remained focused on Games Operations, the GEP focused on strategic decision making around the Games that impacted broader communities, whilst the Inclusion Summit focused on the policy level that would provide a lasting legacy from the Paralympic Games.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                Games Campus

                                                                                                                                                                The Inclusion Summit has become an important fixture throughout the Paralympic Games, and presenters have included political ministers, representatives of the World Bank, UN Secretary General and US State Department among many others. During the Rio 2016 Inclusion Summit, the conversation was taken much wider through social media where #InclusionSummit trended as number three across both days of the Summit on Twitter.

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                The IPC Academy Inclusion Summit was created as an important activity to bring together leaders of industry to showcase the work implemented across Host Cities and Countries as a result of the Paralympic Games. The Summit ensures that this important topic of inclusion and accessibility has a voice throughout the Paralympic Games at the highest levels of government, industry and communities whilst the world is watching and also gathered in the Host City.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                IPC Academy Inclusion Summit

                                                                                                                                                                Leading into the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the IPC recognised the work that had been proactively achieved by the OCOG in relation to inclusion and accessibility. It was an important time for the Paralympic Movement to extend its brand positioning and to actively push the message of what the Paralympic Games could achieve for social inclusion.

                                                                                                                                                                There has been consistent reference to the IPC Academy Excellence Programme across numerous Games editions at the official Games Debrief. Senior OCOG leaders have praised the inspirational programme as a key contributor to the success and product growth of the Paralympic Games and of their teams.

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                Throughout 2009 and 2010, thorough planning was undertaken by the IPC Academy (an educational division created in 2009 as a partnership between the IPC and WAoS), with Sochi 2014 and the IPC to create a number of workshops which would take the OCOG through key learnings and inspire its people to deliver an exceptional games.


                                                                                                                                                                Following this initial roll out of what was called the IPC Academy Excellence Programme, all subsequent OCOGs have been fortunate to receive this learning programme which is unique in its structured and coordinated approach to deliver near market insights within an educational framework. The programme continues to this day and plays an important role in the ongoing integration between IOC and IPC operations.

                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                IPC Academy Excellence Programme

                                                                                                                                                                Following the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) looked to leverage long term opportunities that would further grow and enhance the Games. With Vancouver 2010 already close to delivery and London 2012 well progressed in its planning, a longer term strategy was taken to begin engagement with Sochi 2014. This aimed to implement a coordinated learning pathway over a number of years to identify how Sochi 2014 could maximise the opportunity of the Paralympic Winter Games.

                                                                                                                                                                The IPC Academy has now positively impacted hundreds of NPC administrators, thousands of OCOG staff and tens of thousands of Games volunteers over the past decade. The diversity of activities across the IPC Academy portfolio reflect the core values of the Paralympic Movement


                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                A partnership with WAoS created the IPC Academy to develop various education frameworks and structures in order to help the IPC to achieve its strategic priorities. This involved many projects being established with sustainable structures which have gone on to become embedded in the Paralympic Movement. This includes activities across Games management such as the Excellence Programme and Games Campus, NPC development programmes in partnership with the Agitos Foundation, and technical programmes for classifiers and technical officials.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                IPC Academy

                                                                                                                                                                The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is a unique organisation as the custodian of the Paralympic Games, governs a number of Paralympic Sport disciplines and is governed through a diverse membership of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), International Federations (IFs) and International Sport Organisation for Disabled (ISODs). In the mid-2000s,the IPC realised that it needed an education partner that understood international sport and could assist it in its future development given its limited resources and small but committed staff headcount.

                                                                                                                                                                Over the years, the SAT Sports Leaders Programme has grown in reputation and is recognised as the preeminent sport programme in Thailand open to NF board member/staff and senior SAT leadership. It has now been delivered for over a decade, and due to its success, SAT has further expanded its education offering to the national sport community in Thailand through additional WAoS education programmes and study tours.

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                Following discussions between SAT and WAoS, the SAT Sports Leaders Programme was launched with the aim of enhancing the capability of sport administration throughout Thailand and introducing international excellence in its approach. The programme focuses on sports leadership, national federation(NF) management, sport master planning and athlete pathway development.

                                                                                                                                                                WAoS also worked with SAT and the Thailand Olympic and Paralympic Committees to identify and structure a longitudinal relationship with Manchester City Council in the lead up to London 2012. This involved several years of cooperation culminating in pre-Games training camps in Manchester.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT)

                                                                                                                                                                SAT was looking to identify ways to enhance its national sport federations and better support Thailand’s athletes throughout the mid-2000s given the various international events that were being hosting in the country such as the Summer Universiade. With various projects and major events successfully delivered, SAT recognised areas that could be enhanced and sought to identify a partner which could empower its national sport communities and leverage its international position.

                                                                                                                                                                Over a number of years, the programmes engaged and developed the Bahrain sport sector and introduced participants to new and innovative approaches to sport development and management. The BOC also involved the regional sporting bodies and provided opportunities for various countries throughout the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council).

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                WAoS was engaged to identify how such a programme could be effectively implemented throughout the Bahrain sporting sector and enhance the professionalisation of sports locally. Through a detailed analysis, it was identified that a programme pathway for sport administrators would provide the necessary skills development required locally to achieve the overall goals of the BOC. These programmes provided international expertise along with localised content and context to develop individuals from the local club level through to leadership roles in sport.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC)

                                                                                                                                                                Having established a well-defined coaching pathway across Bahrain, the BOC identified a gap in the management of its National Federations (NFs). It embarked on a programme of modernisation to allow common administrative functions to be provided more consistently across NFs in order to allow them to focus on the important aspects of developing their respective sports and athletes.

                                                                                                                                                                Resources and courses have now touched all corners of the globe and member associations have been inspired to create opportunities for their communities to play badminton, often for the first time. One endearing story involved badminton representatives in a small nation in Oceania who were initially overwhelmed on the first day of a Player Pathway Programme. However, by the end, they embraced the new ideas and went on to create the nation’s first national championships and junior national championships within months of the programme. This has evolved to a coordinated player pathway from Shuttle Time being delivered in schools through to opportunities for players to compete internationally.

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                The education vision that BWF identified had an immediate resonance with WAoS and we could clearly see how and where we could add value to their programme offering. We progressed a variety of activities focusing on providing programmes that support the development of BWF’s member associations through administration courses and events courses. Additionally, our platform has progressively played a more important role as Shuttle Time and coaching online courses now create blended learning opportunities. These reduce the time spent in face to face workshops and ultimately save resources of member associations due to a reduction in time and space requirements for such courses.


                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                Badminton World Federation (BWF)

                                                                                                                                                                Over a number of years, BWF had established some key strategic development projects and identified a vision for its development activities in the longer term. Central to this was the creation of Shuttle Time (its worldwide schools programme) and its coaching programmes. It also identified that additional programmes would need to be established which were best served through a partnership approach with WAoS.

                                                                                                                                                                • talent pool creation strategies based on ‘end-point’ planning;
                                                                                                                                                                • strategies to identify and select athletes into the player pathway;
                                                                                                                                                                • talent development strategies with associated KPIs and resource planning;
                                                                                                                                                                • talent presentation strategies that ensure players have the greatest chance of success;
                                                                                                                                                                • talent retention and engagement strategies;
                                                                                                                                                                • support services linked to pathway and player requirements; and
                                                                                                                                                                • stakeholder integration and strategies for a shared vision.

                                                                                                                                                                Participants should have achieved the following outcomes at the completion of the programme:

                                                                                                                                                                • Understand the key elements and inputs required for the development of a performance pathway plan for their organisation.​
                                                                                                                                                                • Recognise the role of the athlete pathway in underpinning the development of high-performance outcomes for their organisation.
                                                                                                                                                                • Create an action plan to underpin the development of a clear, robust and well-articulated performance pathway plan which includes:

                                                                                                                                                                OUTCOMES

                                                                                                                                                                SOLUTION

                                                                                                                                                                Overall, the programme not only facilitates understanding behind the approach required to build and manage athlete pathways but also provides a systematic and practical approach to developing a performance pathway plan that enables IFs to work with member associations/ national federations to implement and activate over the following years

                                                                                                                                                                Key aspects of programme delivery include:


                                                                                                                                                                • Three-day intensive Executive Education style programme.

                                                                                                                                                                • Pre-programme preparation, group work during the programme, additional individual planning sessions in evenings, and post-programme plan development.

                                                                                                                                                                • Regional delivery utilising region-specific and sport-specific content­.




                                                                                                                                                                BUSINESS CONTEXT

                                                                                                                                                                Athlete Pathway Programme

                                                                                                                                                                The Athlete Pathway Programme provides an appropriate global intervention that can be delivered on a regional basis, with the aim to have more member associations/ national federations aware of the importance of athlete pathways and performance planning. The programme is focussed on empowering member associations/ national federations to understand the key elements in leading and supporting a clear athlete pathway enabled through effective performance pathway planning for their sport/ organisation. Through the identification of short, medium and long-term goals, the programme highlights ways to maximise outputs at each stage of the pathway.

                                                                                                                                                                The Athlete Pathway Programme has been delivered across multiple regions and languages for various levels of member associations/ national federations. Partners include BWF, ICC, WCF, World Rugby as well as several open intake programmes.

                                                                                                                                                                Thank you for your enquiry. We will be in touch soon.