WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference: Protecting our Blue Spaces for Water Sports panel announced
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) is thrilled to reveal the speakers on another of our panel discussions at the WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference 2024. Sitting on our Protecting our Blue Spaces for Water Sports panel are:
- Alistair Dickson, CEO of Canoe Wales
- Catherine Roberts, CEO of Triathlon Cymru
- James Stuart, CEO of the Royal Yachting Association Cymru Wales
Secure your tickets – FREE for WSA Members and just £99 for non-members – now!
Alistair Dickson
Alistair was appointed CEO of Canoe Wales in March 2021, after a brief time as the organisation’s Performance Manager.
Growing up in Llandudno, Alistair worked as a senior instructor at the National Watersport Centre in Plas Menai, before pursuing a career as an officer in the British Army. More latterly, he spent eight years at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as High Performance Manager and interim CEO for RYA Cymru Wales, as well as Director of Sport Development at RYA HQ.
Catherine Roberts
Catherine’s career to date has been mainly in the National Health Service, where she has had a range of experiences and opportunities to develop her management and leadership skills.
Catherine is a regular parkrunner and was first introduced to Triathlon as a supporter and occasional volunteer. She finally cracked, joined the triathlon section of Bynea Cycling Club and undertook her first triathlon, aged 52.
Catherine has now completed four long distance and six middle distance triathlons.
James Stuart
James is currently the interim CEO at RYA Cymru and brings a wealth of experience across multiple sectors. He has led two sports governing bodies, a life and chemical sciences SME and been MD of Entrepreneurial Scotland. Across each of these roles James has developed a deep interest in the rural economy, conservation and sustainability.
His other non-executive and voluntary interests have included being a member of the leadership group for the £1Bn Conservation Finance Challenge and he is currently Chair of National Parks UK, Convener of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, a Non-Exec Advisor to Scottish Forestry and a member of the Industry Leadership Group for Tourism.
The WSA is thrilled to be able to welcome such expertise and experience for the Protecting our Blue Spaces for Water Sports panel at the Sustainability in Sport Conference 2024.
WSA CEO, Andrew Howard, commented:
“The WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference is a vital opportunity for key stakeholders and decision-makers in our sector to unite, collaborate, and share around a key issue facing us all.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer such expertise on our panels, and are excited to welcome Alistair, Catherine and James to the Conference to share their insight and provoke meaningful discussion around the future and protection of water and water sports.
“This issue has gained significant nationwide attention across various media platforms. Water quality that fails to meet safety standards has led to the cancellation or postponement of events, training sessions, and activities, affecting participation in water-based sports. Even at the elite level, concerns over water quality impacted the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, with events being postponed, disrupting athletes’ preparation and performance.
“The WSA looks forward to welcoming delegates to Newport’s Riverfront Theatre on Tuesday November 12, and hope you can join us.”
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