World Rowing’s Strategic Framework World Rowing’s Strategic Framework

Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron (FISA) Guiding Principles FISA was formed in 1892 and is the first international sport federation; it was established to create a standard set of rules of the sport, standardise the equipment used in the sport and create international competitions for the rowers in the sport. It has the following guiding principles:

Priority to Rowers and Rowing The interests, well-being and health of the rowers are always at the centre of our sport. FISA directs its work in the interests of rowers and rowing.

Rowing in all its Forms FISA recognises the value of the different forms of rowing that exist globally and that enable the sport to be practised by people of differing ages, abilities and training objectives. FISA seeks to both represent and develop all of these different forms of rowing.

Equality of Opportunity & Fairness FISA seeks to ensure fairness and equality of opportunity, both in competition and across all levels of the organisation.

Inclusion & Non-Discrimination FISA is committed to inclusion and accessibility, strives for gender equality and does not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Integrity FISA is committed to the highest ethical standards, is a recognised leader in the fight against doping and is dedicated to preventing the manipulation of competitions.

Sustainability FISA carefully assesses sustainability in all its actions and decisions. FISA endorses a responsible and sustainable approach to the planning and staging of its events so as to maximise positive impacts and minimise negative impacts on the environment and surrounding communities.

Autonomy & Independence FISA undertakes to preserve the independence and autonomy of international sport.

Integral Part of World Sport FISA seeks to ensure a leading position for rowing in the world of sport. FISA is an integral member of the Olympic and Paralympic movements and other leading world sports organisations.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 2

FISA’s Vision To encourage the development of the sport of rowing and strengthen the bonds that unite all who enjoy this sport.

FISA’s Mission To make rowing a universally practised and globally relevant sport in all its forms. To effectively and efficiently govern, develop, showcase and promote the sport of Rowing and respect and protect the environment when practicing the sport.

Core Values of Rowing

Fairness In a spirit of fair play, rowers learn self-discipline, the need for commitment and respect for their opponents.

Teamwork Rowers learn that by working together to achieve a common goal everyone achieves more.

Inclusiveness Rowers combine into a single and cooperative community, irrespective of race, gender, orientation, creed, age or ability.

Timeless Rowers pass on time-honoured values and shared experiences from past to future generations.

Environmental awareness Rowers respect and safeguard the water and its surroundings.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 3 World Rowing’s Strategic Plan

Goal I Goal II Goal III Goal IV Goal V – Respect and Govern and Administer Develop Rowing Showcase Rowing Promote Rowing Preserve the Environment Rowing through Events through Rowing

Objective 1 Objective 1 Objective 1 Objective 1 Objective 1 Transparency – Govern with clarity Participation – Increase Quality – Deliver rowing events of a Television – Support and increase Sustainable Events – Stage and transparency. the participation of member standard appropriate to status and traditional television coverage while events using leading environmental national federations (NFs) category, in terms of competition expanding digital-based, social and sustainability standards, Objective 2 in leading events. level, facilities & event operations. media-based and second screen policies and practices. Democracy – Ensure key video opportunities. stakeholders are represented Objective 2 Objective 2 Objective 2 in decision making processes. Integration – Integrate and expand Attractiveness – Provide an event Objective 2 Education – Engage and educate all forms of rowing. programme that includes high Communications – Be the main the world’s rowing audience in the Objective 3 source of rowing information across clean water mission. quality events in formats that are Integrity – Promote strong ethical Objective 3 all World Rowing’s channels. attractive and relevant to our target Objective 3 principles across the organisation. Opportunities – Increase audiences, showcasing the best Objective 3 Activities – Engage with NFs in the number of rowing opportunities Objective 4 aspects of the sport. Progressive Communications order to increase their activities through clubs, schools, universities Efficient Management – Manage – Promote and develop the sport and those of their member clubs and Objective 3 effectively, efficiently of rowing in the environmental protection other entities. Legacy – Support the sustainable and sustainably. and clean water mission. development and maintenance of Objective 4 Objective 4 Objective 5 world class rowing venues around Marketing – Promote rowing, Objective 4 Quality & Education – Control Mechanisms – the world and collaborate with its values and rowers in all FISA Leadership – Lead by example Improve the quality of rowing Ensure resources are safeguarded venue owners and event organising activities. ensuring that, as far as possible, and coaching worldwide. all of FISA’s activities, including and managed effectively. committees to help deliver their Objective 5 events and daily operations, are Objective 5 strategic legacy-related objectives. Partnerships – Attract and retain conducted in an environmentally Universality – Increase the number partners that complement rowing’s Objective 4 sustainable way. of countries that values and the World Rowing Diversity – Showcase all disciplines practise rowing and ensure brand and activate their partnership of the sport of rowing through their ongoing growth. globally and locally. rowing events on all continents and at multi-sport games.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 4 Objectives and Actions for each Goal of World Rowing’s Strategic Plan

Goal I Govern and Administer Rowing Goal II Develop Rowing Goal III Showcase Rowing through Events Goal IV Promote Rowing Goal V Respect and Preserve the Environment through Rowing

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 5 Goal I – Govern and Administer Rowing

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Objective 5 Transparency – Govern with Democracy – Ensure key Integrity – Promote strong Efficient Management– Control Mechanisms – clarity and transparency stakeholders are represented ethical principles across the Manage effectively, efficiently Ensure resources are safe- in decision-making processes organisation and sustainably guarded and managed effectively

1.1 Publish and make widely 2.1 Apply statutory election 3.1 Comply with: 4.1 Regularly assess the 5.1 Use Ethics Panels and the available the following processes and ensure that a. FISA and IOC Codes Statutes, Rules and Finance Sub-Committee documentation and candidates receive equal of Ethics, and address Regulations as well as the as appropriate, with information: treatment. appropriately potential Strategic Plan and Key independent representation, Performance Indicators. where possible. a. Statutes, Rules of Racing 2.2 Publish all open positions for risks to the integrity of and Event Regulations; elections and appointments, rowing; 4.2 Define clear roles, 5.2 Establish and maintain b. Organisational information and include the process for b. WADA World Anti-Doping goals, deliverables and internal control and risk about elected officials, application, role descriptions Code and operate an responsibilities for the management systems. commissions and staff. and eligibility criteria. efficient anti-doping Executive Director, Staff, 5.3 Ensure use of accounting Include descriptions programme; Consultants and Service 2.3 Ensure term limits and/ control mechanisms and of responsibilities and Providers. or time in office criteria are c. IPC Codes and related external financial audit. terms of reference, where applied to elected positions. documents; and 4.3 Ensure that the governance applicable; 5.4 Apply an open tender policy d. Regulations regarding bodies meet regularly and 2.4 Ensure key stakeholders for major commercial and c. Relevant information manipulation of minutes are recorded. have the opportunity to be procurement contracts. regarding member competitions & betting. represented in governing 4.4 Hold regular meetings for federations; 5.5 Prepare an annual budget bodies. 3.2 Make public all decisions planning, communications d. Strategic Plan and Key and four-year financial plan of disciplinary bodies & consultation purposes Performance Indicators; 2.5 Ensure governing bodies and apply the required and related sanctions, as with Member National meet regularly (Congress, approval process. e. Annual audited financial well as pending cases, Federations, FISA Council and Executive accounts and annual where applicable and as Commissions and Staff. Committee). activity reports; appropriate. 4.5 Consider equality, f. Congress Agenda Papers 3.3 Develop integrity awareness integrity, inclusiveness and Minutes and and education programmes. and sustainability in all g. Council decisions and management decisions. any other important FISA decisions.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 6 Goal II – Develop Rowing

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Objective 5 Participation – Increase Integration – Integrate Opportunities – Increase the Quality & Education – Universality – Increase the the participation of member and expand all forms number of rowing opportunities Improve the quality of rowing number of countries that national federations (NFs) of rowing through clubs, schools, and coaching worldwide practise rowing and ensure in leading events universities and other entities ongoing growth

1.1 Encourage all NFs to stage 2.1 Create specific strategies 3.1 Create specific projects to assist 4.1 Continue to increase the 5.1 Identify non-rowing countries national championships for men to develop para rowing fully NFs to develop rowing among number and quality of: and direct development support and women. supporting the priorities of the these specific groups. a. training camps offered for to help establish them; IPC. 3.2 Create materials specific for rowers from development 5.2 Create a detailed strategy for 1.2 Encourage all NFs to participate 2.2 Create specific strategies to coaches of these groups. programme countries; each country, considering the with men and women in develop coastal rowing, indoor b. basic-level coaching courses style of rowing best suited to 3.3 Create materials specific for Continental, World Junior, World rowing, masters rowing, city offered for coaches from the natural local conditions, and leaders of these groups. Under 23 and World Senior sprints rowing and recreational development programme include the National Olympic Championships, and Olympic, rowing. 3.4 Stage events specific to these countries and international Committee, Sports Ministry and Paralympic and Youth Olympic groups of rowers. coaching conferences for Olympic Solidarity; 2.3 Create manuals for development Games qualification regattas. high level coaches; and and staging events for all of the 3.5 Exploit the opportunities for 5.3 Target countries on a priority c. scholarships for rowers and 1.3 Shape the qualification above. developing university rowing basis for a phased approach coaches through Olympic systems for the Olympic, in partnership with university depending on potential in the Solidarity; Paralympic and Youth Olympic rowing organisations around the short, medium and long term; Games to complement FISA’s world. 4.2 Continue to improve and 5.4 Provide technical and development objectives. expand: administrative guidance online a. coaching and rowing and in person. development materials; and 5.5 Utilise event bidding b. continental coaching opportunities to develop places development team, to to train and compete. cover more countries and cooperate with the relevant 5.6 Ensure the development Commissions to provide of rowing in all its forms is educational resources undertaken in a sustainable way. through training camps and regattas;

4.3 Target and prioritise specific member federations for support in the short, medium and long term.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 7 Goal III – Showcase Rowing through Events

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Quality – Deliver rowing events of a Attractiveness – Provide an event Legacy – Support the sustainable Diversity – Showcase the sport of standard appropriate to status and programme that includes high development and maintenance of rowing through rowing events on all category, in terms of competition quality events in formats that are world class rowing venues around continents and across all disciplines. level, facilities and event operations. attractive and relevant to our target the world and collaborate with audiences, showcasing the best venue owners and event organising aspects of the sport. committees (OCs) to help deliver their strategic legacy-related objectives.

1.1 Ensure that competition facilities are of 2.1 Ensure that the event programme and 3.1 Set clear standards and requirements 4.1 Strive to ensure that the World Rowing the appropriate standard and provide schedule is developed to maximise for venues and event operations. portfolio of events (including coaches optimal conditions for rowers to fully access by our audiences. conferences and FISA congresses) 3.2 Make available consulting services to demonstrate their talents. is geographically-balanced and 2.2 Ensure that the competition and event advise on the development of new or appropriately showcases rowing as an 1.2 Ensure that competitions are operated are attractive to athletes, spectators, existing venues. international sport. according to the FISA Rule Book and TV, online audiences and media. 3.3 Enable knowledge transfer by in a fair and consistent manner for Ensure that the event and (where 4.2 Stage events for all disciplines of providing resources to OCs to learn all FISA events and FISA-sanctioned applicable) the TV production delivers rowing under the umbrella of World from previous events and develop their events. value to the stakeholders. Rowing. capacity to host events. 1.3 Ensure events adhere to FISA’s 2.3 Ensure that the format and delivery 4.3 Provide events for all ages, ensuring 3.4 Work with venue owners to support ‘Principles for Event Programmes’ style of the event reflect rowing’s core pathways for athletes striving to row their strategic plans to develop and/or and respect FISA’s environmental and values and FISA’s guiding principles. at the elite level and underpinning that improve their venues e.g. by attributing sustainability standards. rowing is a sport for life. and supporting events. 1.4 Apply appropriate guidelines and 3.5 Strive to develop or refine event standards for event organisers to models that are financially and provide world class event services operationally sustainable for OCs and and facilities beyond the competition venues. aspects.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 8 Goal IV – Promote Rowing

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Objective 5 Television – Support and Communications – Be Progressive Marketing – Promote rowing, Partnerships – Attract increase traditional television the main source of rowing Communications – its values and rowers in all and retain partners that coverage while expanding information across all World Promote and develop the World Rowing activities complement rowing’s values digital-based, social media- Rowing’s channels. sport of rowing and the World Rowing brand based and second screen and activate their partnership video opportunities globally and locally.

1.1 Further strengthen the 2.1 Ensure that all 3.1 Continually evaluate new 4.1 Promote rowing’s values 5.1 Approach the market relationship with linear communications are current, digital communication “365 days a year”, using differently by changing television broadcasters while relevant and of high quality channels and platforms. coordinated marketing to values- and CSR-led ensuring consistency over and that communication and communication plans and digitally activated 3.2 Build and sustain the production and direction activities are integrated through all communication partnerships, from just “TV- relationships that will help to of the sport aspects of the across all channels. channels, including TV exposure”-led partnerships. better communicate what we host broadcast. Introduce images, videos, photos, 2.2 Maintain a management do and influence what others 5.2 Attract partners that will attractive technologies to commentary and written text. system for content to ensure say about us. complement our sport better portray the sport an integrated messaging 4.2 Communicate with all and brand while creating during the host broadcast. 3.3 Build our digital presence approach across all communities of rowers and opportunities for them to and audience in accordance 1.2 Expand the distribution of communication channels, fans around the world, on activate their investments. with our digital and social broadcast images to expand and review and develop all all platforms including their media strategy using quality, 5.3 Support official partnerships, audiences through custom- key internal and external preferred channels while sharable content while each with an individual and made content such as news target audiences and tailor prioritising the core elements promoting the development exclusive area of ownership, edits, interviews in mother- information to their channel(s) of the sport of the sport, including to reinforce and showcase tongue, social media and and needs. information on how to 4.3 Further promote rowing’s our unique selling points. other means of broadcast 2.3 Use the World Rowing participate, different forms communities and new such as digital delivery 5.4 Create opportunities for website as the main hub for of rowing and differentiating elements such as City means, to directly engage partnership activation and all rowing related information rowing from other sports. Sprints, which will interest with our communities. special promotional events. including our brand values, new audiences 3.4 Ensure that Rowing is placed 1.3 Accumulate rights-owned Clean Water messaging, our prominently in the IOC’s new 4.4 Promote rowing’s Clean content and carve out events and communities. global Olympic Channel. Water values and strengthen content that can be used to Maintain the website usability the image of rowing as an further promote our sport. across all digital devices in environmentally sustainable line with the growth of mobile sport. and tablet usage.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 9 Goal V – Respect and Preserve the Environment through Rowing

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Sustainable Events – Stage events Education – Educate the Progressive Communications - Leadership – Lead by example using leading environmental and world’s rowing audience Activities – Engage with NFs in ensuring that, as far as possible, sustainability standards, policies in the Clean Water mission. order to increase their activities all of FISA’s activities, including and practices and those of their member clubs events and daily operations, are in the Environmental Protection conducted in an environmentally and Clean Water mission sustainable way.

1.1 Continually review FISA Event policies 2.1 Facilitate local activations at FISA 3.1 Continually evaluate new digital 4.1 Ensure FISA’s operations and practices and guidelines as well as Sustainability events and other rowing events, where communication channels and in terms of environmental impact and Guidelines to ensure relevance of possible, to increase engagement and platforms. sustainability are “best in class” for a content, striving to become “best in awareness. sports federation. 3.2 Build and sustain relationships that class”. 2.2 Continually update and enhance the will help to better communicate what 4.2 Approach all of FISA’s activities with 1.2 Reinforce the principles of the policies Environmental page on the World we do and influence what others say environmental sustainability in mind, and guidelines directly with all OCs, Rowing website. about us. prioritising the efficient and effective from bid stage through delivery of the use of resources to achieve our 2.3 Promote stories of initiatives, whether 3.3 Build our digital presence and event, to maximise environmental, objectives over the long term. at national, regional or grass-roots audience in accordance with our social and financial sustainability. levels, related to the Clean Water digital and social media strategy 4.3 Establish the Kafue River and Rowing 1.3 Implement a recognised standard or mission. using quality, sharable content while Centre (KRRC) as World Rowing’s certification relating to sustainable promoting the development of the principal social responsibility initiative. 2.4 Educate about the impact of carbon event management and monitoring, sport, including information on how to dioxide pollution by creating a carbon- 4.4 Engage all stakeholders of the KRRC consistently across all events. participate, different forms of rowing offsetting tool for World Rowing project using relevant communication and differentiating rowing from other 1.4 Develop, maintain and promote the stakeholders to support. media to maximise awareness (and sports. use of environmental policies and therefore its educational value) as well guidelines relevant for FISA’s events. 3.4 Ensure that Rowing is placed as fundraising for the project. prominently in the IOC’s new global Olympic Channel.

World Rowing’s Strategic Framework 10