On the back of the strategic planning workshop for dressage, a six member taskforce has been assembled to further define and research the areas identified at the meeting as being crucial for development of dressage sport in Australia.
Chair of the Australian Dressage Committee (ADC) Mary Seefried, will head-up the expert panel which also consists of Elaine Greene (WA), Liz Owens (Qld), Denise Rogan (NSW), Michael Bragge (Vic) and Brett Parbery (NSW).
A joint initiative of the EA National Board and ADC, the workshop was the first step in the journey towards developing an action plan for Australian dressage for 2013-2016 and beyond, with the aim of establishing a framework to allow all areas of the sport to flourish, from the grassroots through to the elite.
EA Chairman Dr Warwick Vale said it was important that all areas of the sport were represented on the taskforce. “I believe the taskforce which has been assembled has the right combination of skills and experience to work through the identified areas. It’s important that different views are taken into consideration and I am confident that the individuals who have been selected to sit on the taskforce will be able to represent the opinions of the wider dressage community. We have an excellent opportunity to build a strategic plan for dressage for now and the future and the members of the taskforce will play a critical role in shaping the sport’s future,” he said.
The taskforce will research the current landscape of the three key areas identified at September’s strategic planning session as being central to the growth and development of the sport moving forward.
The scope of the research is as follows:
1. Events – looking at strategies that will increase spectator numbers and ensure the calendar of events meets the needs of all the levels of the sport in Australia to assist with continued growth
2. Business – how can the sport become more self-sufficient and less reliant on government funding
3. Participation – tactics that will help to raise the participation level
In relation to high performance, the ADC will continue to work with the High Performance staff in place at Equestrian Australia to implement the current the strategic plan already in place as part of EA’s Winning Edge strategy.
In addition, the National Board and ADC will look to immediately initiate a series of fundraising strategies that will aim to assist those riders campaigning for WEG 2014.
Further consultation will be sought from the wider dressage community and all stakeholders once the taskforce has established reviewed each of the four key areas.
Related Links
Australian 2014 World Equestrian Games Selection Policy for Dressage Released
Future of Australian Dressage to be Reviewed
Mary Seefried Appointed Chair of the Australian Dressage Committee