Strong support from Danish sport to Play the Game 2015
Although the Play the Game conference is still not a profitable event in the financial sense of the word, the organisation of this year’s edition, running from 25-29 October in Aarhus, Denmark, has been secured over the past months thanks to generous donations from many sides of Danish sport.
“Play the Game 2015 would be very difficult to realise only on our own modest budgets, and our audiences request that the delegate fees are kept at a minimum. Hence we are very grateful that our applications have been accepted quite generously,” Play the Game’s international director Jens Sejer Andersen says.
“The grants also open a communication line with the organisations which we use to get qualified sparring and develop programme content”, Andersen adds.
The largest single donor is the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark with 100,000 Danish kroner (13,333€). Next in line is national elite sports institution Team Danmark and event company Sport Event Denmark (each giving 75,000 DKK or 10,000€). The Danish football federation (DBU) and the Danish Federation for Company Sport each add 6,666€ and Anti-Doping Danmark 4,000€.
Since 1997, the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI) have given considerable support to Play the Game, in the past decade an annual 66,666€. This amount is however transferred directly from DGI to Play the Game since the latest revision of the law on redistribution of lotto money. The DGI is therefore not giving further support this year, but still credited as a “founding partner”.
The application process continues and Play the Game is hopeful that in various ways agreements will be made also with the municipality of Aarhus and other funders.
In return for their contribution, sponsors are mentioned on Play the Game’s communication platforms such as the website and the conference programme. Sponsors are also offered programme time to set up their own sessions. All these sessions are clearly marked so participants know the interest behind.
“Aside from the financial benefits, it is encouraging that all donors have come to understand and appreciate the value of the independent planning of the main conference content. We no longer receive advice about excluding one or the other speaker, but only very constructive proposals that reinforce our own understanding of the issues discussed,” says the Play the Game director.
Play the Game 2015
Global sport: Reform or revolution
25-29 October 2015|Aarhus, Denmark
www.playthegame.org/2015