Without question, there are a number of emerging issues on the Australian Sporting landscape. These include:

· the outcomes of the Senate Inquiry into Women in sport and recreation,

· the ACCC and the Australian Baseball Federation third line forcing notification revocation and

· the effects of Voluntary Student Unionism beginning to take affect from the beginning of 2007.

A summary of each of these issues is presented in this newsletter. These are all issues which will impact sport and will need to be monitored closely.

These three issues reflect the increasing diversity of challenges presenting our industry. It is inevitable then that as an industry we need to better understand the issues and be cognisant of the impact they will have upon our business and future success. Some of these will impact directly and immediately while others, such as the changes to student unionism will ‘hit’ sport over the next 2 – 4 years.

It is then imperative that sport react earlier and in unison when these issues are identified. We continue to articulate that CAS can, and should play an important role in both informing the sector as to what is going on and continuing the dialog with Government to ensure that the ramifications of these issues are addressed.

The CAS Board met with the Federal Minister for Sport, Hon. Rod Kemp on 12 October in our ongoing role of opening dialog with Government on these and other issues. We will report back to the sector through our next edition of the newsletter on the outcomes of the meeting.

The CAS Office is a resource for the sector and a vital link between NSO’s and sporting organisations for information. Don’t hesitate to contact the office if you are experiencing an issue in your organisation that you believe may affect others or if you require assistance from the office on a matter that your industry body may be able to help you with.

Finally, I would like to remind all NSO’s to look out for nomination packs for the 2006 Australian Sport Awards, which will be held in Melbourne on 21 February 2007. One of the great ways to draw attention to the sector that continues to punch above its weight in both contribution to the economy and the cultural landscape is to make sure that the great efforts of athletes, business, coaches and the sector as a whole are recognised.

Michael Sparks
President
Confederation of Australian Sport

Over the past 9 months, the Confederation of Australian Sport has undergone a review of its branding and image.

The review encompassed not only the branding of CAS as an organisation, but that of its two major event properties, the Australian Masters Games and the Australian Sport Awards.

We are now pleased to introduce the new CAS logo. This contemporary logo represents the new direction of CAS, while the history of the organisation is symbolized through the use of the CAS logo’s traditional colours (red, blue and white).

The ‘S’ within the logo, which is shaped like a human figure, is poised open-handed in a symbol of CAS’s role within the sport industry as an advisory and advocacy organisation.

The new Australian Sport Awards logo and Australasian Masters Games logo can also be found in their respective sections within the newsletter. 

The senate committee report on Women in sport and recreation in Australia has been published with 18 recommendations. These recommendations are available on the CAS website at

Recommendations for Women in Sport and Recreation in Australia

CAS supports the recommendations that cover a broad spectrum of areas including leadership, facilites such as child care availability at venues, dress codes and the media.

On of the key findings that CAS supports is the initiatives that provide specific opportunities for great ongoing coverage of women’s sport. The Committee believes that the ASC should administer funding of up to $3 Million per annum, and that the initiative be reviewed after approximately three years. A similar recommendation is made with respect to allocating funds to the Australian Paralympic Committee to assist with the production and associated costs of televised coverage of the forthcoming Paralympics.

The ability for sports to capitalise on these opportunities if the recommendations are adopted will be critical. More diversity of sport and more women’s sport on television will educate the television viewership, create markets, bring in sponsorship and develop participation. Sports that are able to be strategic and to use initiative will undoubtedly reap the rewards.

CAS congratulates all NSO’s and individuals that contributed to the process which was completed under a tight timeframe.