World sport leaders converge at Monash University Peninsula campus
Thursday 9 April
TAFISA (Trim And Fitness In Sport for All) is a world leader in Sport For All and physical activity. Arising out of Oslo in 1969, it holds bi-annual congresses worldwide, is active in 120 countries and works with regional bodies in Africa, America, Asia and Europe. It also operates with UNESCO, IOC, WHO and other international organizations.
During 6 – 9 April Monash University Peninsula Campus was privileged enough to hold the TAFISA certified ‘Leadership in Sport for All’ course.
On the Monday morning Martin Doulton, Director of Sport at Monash University, who facilitated the course, welcomed delegates from 12 countries to the first TAFISA course held in the Oceania region.
Brian Dixon, Treasurer of TAFISA and a founder of ‘Life Be In It’ then commented the he was “proud as this is the first time that a TAFISA conference has been hosted in partnership with a university”.
Professor Brian Oldenburg, Chair, International Public Health, Monash University as the keynote speaker went on to speak on public health and expose the broader issues. He spoke of the extent of the problem highlighting that physical inactivity has been found to cause two million deaths annually, and that in the next ten years, two thirds of Australians will be overweight or obese.
A more relaxed lunch for participants was held at Crittenden winery in Dromana, where everyone got to know each other a little better, followed by an interesting overview of sustainable and health tourism, from Professor Betty Walker, which was of particular interest to the handful of attendees from the Pacific regions island nations.
The conference wrapped up on Thursday 9 April, with all participants receiving their certificates of completion. Groups found that among other things, culture change and unified political activity were keys to increasing physical activity, community participation and developing healthy communities.
To end the course, Wolfgang Baumann, TAFISA Secretary General thanked all participants wholeheartedly “without the participants this is not possible and there is a great interest to stay in touch and to continue cooperating with all participants of the program”
Professor Phillip Steele commented that he had been touched by the TAFISA course and was “proud to host the event, and hoped that each participant takes back the knowledge to their own countries”.
Finally Brian Dixon made special note of Monash Universities involvement with the course saying that “it had lifted the course to another level thanks to the level of academic input provided by Monash University”.
All in all, the conference was declared a success, not only for the active cooperation of the participants, but also for the outcomes and directions reached for future cooperation between TAFISA and Monash University.
Professor Brian Oldenburg, delivers his veiws on public health and physical inactivity
The backyard at Crittendens winery
Martin Doulton prepares the group for the presentation after lunch
The group after all the presentations had ben made
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