National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools

The tremendous news is that the PADSIS Conference should be back to normal in 2022. Although a one day event in the summer term was far better than seemed likely for most of last year, the full format will be restored for the Spring Term next year. 

Conscious that the majority of delegates now choose to come for two days, in order to attend the forum, the Thursday programme has been expanded to include additional sessions. This will include an update from the National Governing Bodies of the principal school sports, which will include an opportunity to provide feedback and input as well as addressing specific enquiries. The Friday programme will be available as a stand-alone event, for those who prefer that format.

The theme of the event will be Restoring School Sport. Sessions will focus on the role of the Director of Sport in leading the process of re-building and restoring school sport. The pandemic has provided a break in the way sport has operated, and provided an opportunity for review. Much of the conference content will present the possibility of adding some new approaches, and leading the process of change. Cath Bishop will, for example, build on the session she did last year to show how cultural change might be achieved. The seminar programme is intended to provide a range of topics to address different issues in varying school types, as well as specific informational sessions.

It is hoped that the conference will restore the opportunity to remain updated, stay informed and encounter speakers who are national authorities in their field. Most of all, however, it is the chance to meet, discuss, collaborate and confer. Those opportunities have been in short supply in the recent past.