Professor Dan Gould - Director of Youth Sport Studies, Michigan State University, Opened the Inaugural Conference with his Keynote.
Professor at Michigan State University and Keynote speaker had this to say about the first IAAAC Conference.
“One of the best conferences I have ever attended. The presentations were world class and the attendees were dedicated and devoted professional educators. The organization of the conference itself was top notch. I have presented at over 600 conference and this was one of the best. IAAAC is on its way to be player for teachers, coaches and Athletic Directors.”
“One of the best conferences I have ever attended. The presentations were world class and the attendees were dedicated and devoted professional educators. The organization of the conference itself was top notch. I have presented at over 600 conference and this was one of the best. IAAAC is on its way to be player for teachers, coaches and Athletic Directors.”
2010 IAAAC Conference - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
On October 22, 2010, Haile Gebreselassie took time out of his training for the New York City Marathon to welcome 41 Athletic Directors, Coaches & Physical Education teachers to Addis and Ethiopia. The inaguual IAAAC conference hosted at ICS and the Addis Hilton over the October 22-24 weekend was a huge success. Forty-one attendees from Russia, Poland, Austria, China, India, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, D.R. Congo, Angola, South Africa and Ethiopia were in attendance.
The conferences’ surprise guest welcomed the group to Addis. He was very pleased to hear that IAAAC chose Ethiopia to host its first conference for sport professionals. He was excited to see so many dedicated teachers and administrators dedicating their time and efforts to bettering youth sport programs in their own schools and countries. After receiving his lifetime membership plaque, Haile Gebreselassie asked if anyone would like a picture before he returned to his training. All 41 attendees and all of the conference workers took the opportunity to take a picture with the worlds best know long distance runner.
The conferences’ surprise guest welcomed the group to Addis. He was very pleased to hear that IAAAC chose Ethiopia to host its first conference for sport professionals. He was excited to see so many dedicated teachers and administrators dedicating their time and efforts to bettering youth sport programs in their own schools and countries. After receiving his lifetime membership plaque, Haile Gebreselassie asked if anyone would like a picture before he returned to his training. All 41 attendees and all of the conference workers took the opportunity to take a picture with the worlds best know long distance runner.
Inaugural Conference Surpasses Expectations
Andy Roberts, Athletic Director from Cairo American College said it best before he departed for the airport, “book me in right now, for two presentations next year and I’ll bringing as many coaches as possible.” Andy was not able to stay for the entire conference. In fact he was only able to fly in for the first day and had to leave the same night, but he said he wouldn't have missed it for the world. “This conference is something that coaches and AD’s have needed for decades and now it is finally a reality.
Kirby Boychuk, IAAAC Director, had a goal of 50 attendees for the first IAAAC conference. Back in 2009 at the AISA conference in Lusaka, when Kirby first committed to organizing the conference, he did not know what to expect. Would people attend? Will there be a demand for professional development specifically for sport professionals? Will people come to Ethiopia. There were so many questions and no answers. No one had ever attempted such a conference before. Kirby knew there was a need because he was searching for PD in this area for years, but would others feel the same way? We didn’t reach our goal of 50, but 41 was very welcome for the first conference. The pool was large enough to allow for all to to contribute, yet small enough for attendees develop collegial friendships. Looking Towards 2011... 2012
The overall success was evident even before the opening ceremony. Athletic Directors, coaches and PE teachers talking passionately about their profession. After the second day, attendees were asking when and where the next conference will be held. ICS Addis has graciously requested to host the IAAAC conference for the 2011. “There are still a few bugs that have to be worked out from an operational standpoint. “ Thats why we’ll keep it at ICS for another year. For 2012, we’ll take the conference on the road. The Athletic Department at ISKL has already expressed interest and moving the conference to Malaysia would benefit our membership in South East Asia.
Kirby Boychuk, IAAAC Director, had a goal of 50 attendees for the first IAAAC conference. Back in 2009 at the AISA conference in Lusaka, when Kirby first committed to organizing the conference, he did not know what to expect. Would people attend? Will there be a demand for professional development specifically for sport professionals? Will people come to Ethiopia. There were so many questions and no answers. No one had ever attempted such a conference before. Kirby knew there was a need because he was searching for PD in this area for years, but would others feel the same way? We didn’t reach our goal of 50, but 41 was very welcome for the first conference. The pool was large enough to allow for all to to contribute, yet small enough for attendees develop collegial friendships. Looking Towards 2011... 2012
The overall success was evident even before the opening ceremony. Athletic Directors, coaches and PE teachers talking passionately about their profession. After the second day, attendees were asking when and where the next conference will be held. ICS Addis has graciously requested to host the IAAAC conference for the 2011. “There are still a few bugs that have to be worked out from an operational standpoint. “ Thats why we’ll keep it at ICS for another year. For 2012, we’ll take the conference on the road. The Athletic Department at ISKL has already expressed interest and moving the conference to Malaysia would benefit our membership in South East Asia.
A Great Night Out at the Yod Abysinnia Ethiopian Cultural Restaurant
After the hands-on day at ICS Addis, twenty-seven energetic AD’s and coaches made their way to the Yod Abysinnia Cultural Restaurant located five minutes from ICS. The group would enjoy an evening of some of the best Ethiopian cultural entertainment in Addis and some of the best traditional dishes served in a friendly and hospitable atmosphere.
Before the group arrived at the Restaurant, about ten IAAAC members decided to try out the “local” government beer hall, located just a stones throw from the ICS main gate. The “local,” as it is know to a few ICS staff, is government operated beer hall that provides Ethiopian beer and spirits at affordable prices for all Ethiopians to enjoy. The ten curious souls that made their way to the “local” were treated by Kirby for the first round. A total of 56 Birr ($3.50 US) for the first round. After hearing the price, Costas (Physical Education teacher at AIS-Chennai) decided to take on the financial burden of buying a second round. “I would be hard pressed to find one pint of beer in Vienna that would cost $3.50 anywhere.” We stayed for the second just to make Costas feel like he was able to contribute. Thanks for the round.
The evening at Yod Abysinnia was the highlight of the day. For those that had never had Ethiopian food, their taste buds were treated to the cultural dishes such as shero, mesir, tibs, duro-wat and buyanitu. No one was brave enough to take on the traditional dishes such as kitfu (raw minced meat) and dulet (cooked intestines). However, the group did share, in traditional Ethiopian style, a few small bottles of tedge (a sweet fermented honey drink).
The group was entertained by a three hour performance that focused on the traditional dances from each one of the Ethiopian tribes. In between each one of the dance sets we were entertained by Ethiopian singers who allowed the dancers just enough time for a costume change and to catch their breath before the next performance.
Before the group arrived at the Restaurant, about ten IAAAC members decided to try out the “local” government beer hall, located just a stones throw from the ICS main gate. The “local,” as it is know to a few ICS staff, is government operated beer hall that provides Ethiopian beer and spirits at affordable prices for all Ethiopians to enjoy. The ten curious souls that made their way to the “local” were treated by Kirby for the first round. A total of 56 Birr ($3.50 US) for the first round. After hearing the price, Costas (Physical Education teacher at AIS-Chennai) decided to take on the financial burden of buying a second round. “I would be hard pressed to find one pint of beer in Vienna that would cost $3.50 anywhere.” We stayed for the second just to make Costas feel like he was able to contribute. Thanks for the round.
The evening at Yod Abysinnia was the highlight of the day. For those that had never had Ethiopian food, their taste buds were treated to the cultural dishes such as shero, mesir, tibs, duro-wat and buyanitu. No one was brave enough to take on the traditional dishes such as kitfu (raw minced meat) and dulet (cooked intestines). However, the group did share, in traditional Ethiopian style, a few small bottles of tedge (a sweet fermented honey drink).
The group was entertained by a three hour performance that focused on the traditional dances from each one of the Ethiopian tribes. In between each one of the dance sets we were entertained by Ethiopian singers who allowed the dancers just enough time for a costume change and to catch their breath before the next performance.