2018 is the Commonwealth Games Year: Message from President & Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Games

2018 is the Commonwealth Games Year: Message from President & Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Games

With the power to positively impact societies through sport, the Commonwealth has never been more relevant than it is today. Take the work we have all done as the international sport leader in respecting, protecting and promoting human rights through our UNICEF partnership– which to date has positively impacted the lives of 11.6 million children Commonwealth-wide; or how we are leading the way in advocating reconciliation initiatives with indigenous people.

We are emerging as the true global sport leader for gender equality issues, by openly addressing the imbalances existing in our sport Movement for female participation and representation. Along with the Gold Coast Organising Committee [GOLDOC], it is our collective mission to make Gold Coast 2018 one of the most gender-equal multi-sports event in history by: promoting greater gender parity of technical officials; ensuring gender parity in the number of medal events, so that for the first time men and women will compete for an equal number of medals; and by implementing the CGF’s Women’s Coaching Internship Programme, which will grow the capacity of female coaches across the Commonwealth. In all that we do, our Movement represents sport with a social conscience.

Last year, the CGF incorporated three entities. In addition to becoming a UK limited company, both the Commonwealth Sport Foundation (CSF) and CGF Partnerships (CGFP) have been established. Once fully functioning in 2018/2019, the Foundation will fund programmes and projects that contribute to the sustainable development of sport throughout the Commonwealth. CGFP is the pioneering joint venture established with Lagardère Sports last July, to deliver the CGF’s new Games delivery model and Games commercial programmes. CGFP has commenced its work in earnest, as the preparations for Birmingham 2022 have begun.

Throughout the Commonwealth and the wider world, we can all eagerly look forward to Gold Coast 2018 beginning in just 86 days’ time. We have every confidence that Gold Coast 2018 will welcome athletes and fans alike with open arms, when the Games officially open on 4 April.

We look forward to our work with many of you over the coming year, as we continue to demonstrate to our friends across the world the strong relevance, passion and spirit of our Commonwealth Sport Movement.

Mark Peters serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, a position he accepted after heading the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid Company.

His senior sporting administration roles include almost ten years as CEO of the Australian Sports Commission; President of the Australian Baseball Federation; and Executive member of International Baseball Federation.

Mark has long advocated for increased sport and physical fitness programs in schools and championed Australia’s profile on the international sporting stage, as a competitive nation and host destination for major sporting events.

His extensive portfolio of leadership and management experience covers tourism, events and sports organisational governance and structure.

Mark is a graduate of Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.

Source: CGF