ASOIF’s successful Women Lead Sports course gets underway

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, celebrated worldwide on 8 March, ASOIF just kicked off the fourth edition of its “Women Lead Sports” online course, aimed at empowering potential female leaders to serve in elective positions of their respective International Federation (IF), Continental Association or National Federation (NF), thereby increasing the number of women in leadership positions across the Olympic Movement.

This year, more than 40 participants from 25 Summer Olympic IFs are split into two groups to benefit from an online programme, designed and run once again by professional coach Gabriela Mueller. The participants will receive training to advance their leadership skills by developing self-awareness of their leadership style, progressing in their communication and negotiation skills, discussing Do’s and Don’ts in electoral years, learning to lead in male-dominated environments and much more. They will also receive individual advice and coaching.

The initiative is perfectly in line with this year’s theme of International Women’s Day “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. The past editions have shown that the concept works - several participants achieved to win elections for leadership positions in sport.

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Petra Sörling at the 141st IOC Session | © IOC/Greg Martin

Most prominent example is certainly Petra Sörling, who participated in the 2021 course and was then elected the first female President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) in November that year. In May 2023, she became an ASOIF Council Member and was then elected IOC Member last October.

Asked about her outstanding journey, Petra Sörling said: “First of all I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the invaluable experience and knowledge that I gained from this leadership programme provided by ASOIF.”

“The timing was perfect for me just before my election campaign started in 2021,” she explained. “The skills and insights I acquired during the programme have been instrumental and after being elected as the first ever female President of the International Table Tennis Federation I have advocated for more women to take on the course. We even invited Gabriela Mueller herself to inspire the table tennis community, men and women, during our ITTF Summit in 2023. As a result of this work we also adopted our first ever ITTF Gender Equality Diversity and Inclusion plan.”

“The lessons learned in this programme have not only equipped me with the tools to lead effectively, but have also inspired me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my leadership role.”

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Lisa Allan practicing judo | © International Judo Federation

Another graduate from 2021, Lisa Allan, was elected first ever female Secretary General of the International Judo Federation (IJF) in 2023. A judoka herself and very much dedicated to her sport, she had previously worked as the IJF’s Events Director since 2013 and described her work with the federation as “one of the most enjoyable times of my life”.

Lisa Allan said about her successful pathway and the impact of the course:

“In 2021 I was a student on the Women Lead Sports course led by Gabriela Mueller. Her vibrant personality, enthusiasm and expertise made the course so much fun despite her constantly pushing me out of my comfort zone and challenging me. I learned so much from Gabriela and the other students and doing the course helped me with my election campaign to become the IJF Secretary General in 2023.”

“I want to say a huge thank you to Sabrina Ibáñez, Chair of the ASOIF Diversity and Gender Equality Consultative Group and Secretary General of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), who spoke passionately during our course and, since taking up my new role, has provided me with support, friendship and useful advice.”

She concluded: “Thanks to the support of ASOIF, seven women from the IJF have graduated from the course with two more currently on the course.”

This year’s participants cover a wide spectrum of profiles, including Presidents, Board members and Secretaries General of NFs, active and retired athletes and coaches. Stay tuned for updates on the participants’ experiences.