sportanddev Steering Board Appoints Executive Director

The International Platform on Sport and Development (sportanddev) is the leading global hub for those using sport to achieve social, economic and environmental goals. It was founded in 2003 and has been serving a wide range of actors, practitioners, policymakers and stakeholders using sport for development for over 20 years in order to "share knowledge, build good practice, facilitate coordination and foster partnerships in sport and development".  

The sportanddev Steering Board is responsible for the governance of the platform. The Steering Board is composed of leading global actors in sport and international development. The board approves sportanddev's strategy and budget and oversees implementation by the Operating Team. 

The sportanddev.org website provides the latest news, commentary articles, research, learning tools, networks and job opportunities in sport and development. Content is available in English, French, Arabic and Spanish as part of our efforts to reshape a more equitable and inclusive sector. We have also launched our massive open online course (MOOC) on Sport for Sustainable Development in these four languages to ensure we better serve the needs of all stakeholders. 

Sanders appointed to lead sportanddev 

At the most recent Steering Board meeting held on 18 April 2024, the Steering Board unanimously appointed Dr Ben Sanders as Executive Director and Paul Hunt as Director of Programmes. 

Professor Marion Keim, Chair of the sportanddev Steering Board and UNESCO Chair for Sport, Development, Peace and Olympic Education, welcomed the appointment and stated: 

“Ben Sanders has been leading sportanddev for some time now alongside Paul Hunt, so this recognition is overdue. He has worked with sportanddev for over 6 years and made a real impact over this period. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise, including working with the United Nations, Commonwealth, FIFA, Laureus and others, in designing, delivering and evaluating policies and programmes that use sport to contribute to the SDGs and other development outcomes. He completed the first PhD by publication in Sport for Sustainable Development in Africa and has published and presented widely. He is ideally placed to lead the team and increase the reach and impact of sportanddev.”  - Professor Marion Keim, Chair of the sportanddev Steering Board

Sanders will work closely with the Steering Board and the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) with whom sportanddev has a strategic partnership. He will lead the operating team, comprised of 11 individuals with varied expertise across the globe. Sanders commented: 

“I am honoured to be appointed Executive Director of sportanddev and would like to thank the Steering Board for their support. I would also like to acknowledge the critical role that Paul Hunt has played at sportanddev. I look forward to not only sustaining our work but strengthening and scaling our reach and impact, working closely with our superb team and all our partners and stakeholders. In particular we hope to maximise efforts to reshape a more equitable and impactful sport and development sector which provides greater voice and visibility for the diversity of actors involved.” - Dr. Ben Sanders

sportanddev is open for partnerships and business as we seek to better serve our diverse user base and the broader community of actors using sport for development. For more information, please contact Dr Ben Sanders, Executive Director: [email protected]