-
WFSGI Rallies Sporting Goods Industry Around New Strategic Plan, Pioritises Highest Historical Rate of Physical Inactivity
The Swiss-based World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) unveiled today at the ISPO sports trade fair in Munich, a new strategic plan to take on the highest historical rate of physical inactivity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 80% of adolescents and 28% of adults fail to meet its recommended levels of physical activity. Core to this new strategic plan, the WFSGI will work together with the WHO to develop programs and policies promoting physical activity. “The most recent physical inactivity figures are staggering. The WFSGI is committed to taking on the challenge of fostering a more physically active lifestyle,” said Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI Interim CEO.…
-
WFSGI Announces Leadership Changes
After a successful 16-year tenure, Robbert De Kock, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), has decided that he has accomplished his mission and it is time for him to leave the organisation and hand over the baton to a new leader. The WFSGI Board has appointed Emma (Mason) Zwiebler as Interim CEO from 1 November 2023. De Kock, who joined the WFSGI in 2007, has been instrumental in the growth of the organisation; significantly growing both membership and revenue streams and aligning the global sporting goods industry with the world’s leading organisations in sports and health. During his tenure, De Kock…
-
WA and WFSGI confirm deeper collaboration
World Athletics and the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue and strengthen their collaboration. The agreement seeks to consolidate existing work streams involving athletic shoe regulation. However, the MOU also sets out areas for future cooperation such as getting more kids active and into athletics, enhancing the presentation and the sustainable development of the sport for the benefit of the sport, the athletes, and the industry. Robbert de Kock, President and CEO of the WFSGI, underlines, “The collaboration of World Athletics and the sporting goods industry is invaluable for athletes and the industry alike, and ultimately the athletic sport disciplines…
-
WHO and WFSGI join forces for a healthier world
The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) partner to improve health through physical activity and sport Over 80% of adolescents and 27.5% of adults were insufficiently active prior to the pandemic Early data indicates a further 41% decline in physical activity, and a 200% increase in mental health issues Active lifestyles contribute to intellectual, physical, social and emotional well-being The agreement seeks to amplify public health messages on physical activity, create mechanisms to share knowledge and best practices, and reinforce the physical activity workforce to help communities be more active The work will have a special focus on enabling youth, girls and women and…
-
New Fireside Chat: Mastering Labeling Compliance
The WFSGI, and Compliance & Risks today announces the launch of their "Mastering Labeling Compliance” fireside chat series. The latest initiative from the Compliance & Risks and WFSGI partnership will be available on the respective websites and youtube channels. The fireside chat series discusses various compliance labeling challenges and product stewardship best practices with leading apparel industry experts. The series explores a broad range of common themes such as staying on top of upcoming regulatory changes, communicating relevant requirements with various stakeholders and how product compliance and stewardship can be seen as a strategic advantage. Viewers can expect engaging discussions and actionable takeaways from their industry peers from this new series. Robbert de…
-
Magazine 2023: reinventing the market, a spiderweb of changes
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is pleased to announce the release of our annual publication, the WFSGI Magazine 2023 edition! 2023: The start of a new era offering a spiderweb of new ideas and possibilities. Despite three challenging years for the industry caused primarily by COVID and made more complex by the Ukraine war, WFSGI has managed to successfully navigate the choppy waters by reacting fast and flexible to the various road blocks. The publication covers highlights of WFSGI working areas and successful practices, along with opinion pieces from industry experts, advocacy to increase physical activity and sport participation, case studies, best practices, and identified trends…
-
New Global Solution for E-Commerce, Brands and Consumer Protection Online
The recently announced partnership between the WFSGI and Corsearch sets out to strategically strengthen the Sporting Goods Industry’s global efforts to fight e-commerce counterfeiting and online brand abuses. The rapid growth of e-commerce and digital media consumption has undoubtedly offered new global market opportunities for businesses, but also lead to the increasingly common threats of counterfeiting, grey trade, brand abuses, and online piracy. According to Corsearch, more than 12.5 billion online references to brands and content are captured annually. The solutions to monitor the intellectual property of brands include trademark screening, trademark searching, trademark watching, domain services, brand and content protection. All-encompassing strategies ensure that brands can act against the broadest range of…
-
WFSGI Reports on Successful Year at General Assembly 2022: New Services, Partners, and Members
After a successful year, WFSGI emerges strongly from 2021 WFSGI welcomed two (2) new staff, eight (8) members, and two (2) partners Ongoing projects and services evolving to the next stage and as a result of trends emerging from 2021, the WFSGI introduced upcoming projects and services The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is pleased to announce a successful closing of 2021 with a positive financial result, valuable new services, eight (8) new members and two (2) new partners joining the federation! WFSGI emerges strongly from 2021 and is ready for 2022. General Assembly 2022 Review: Opening remarks at the General Assembly 2022 were made by…
-
WFSGI welcomes Michelle Smyth as Head of Cycling
World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) welcomes Michelle Smyth as the new Head of Cycling. Michelle Smyth has a duel French and English Law degree and formerly practices as a solicitor in the UK. She has spent the past 10 years working in varied roles across event organization, marketing and partnerships for sports brands. She played basketball internationally and now lives in France where she spends her free time cycling, running and skiing. "I’m thoroughly looking forward to joining the team at the WFSGI and working with the members of the Bicycle Committee" said Michelle Smyth, WFSGI Head of Cycling "The role of Head of Cycling is a great opportunity…
-
More than 500 athletes who competed at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 received competition uniforms through support programme in Olympic spirit of solidarity
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) and some of the world’s leading sporting goods brands worked together to ensure that all athletes participating at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were equipped with the latest state-of-the-art competition apparel through the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Competition Uniform Support Programme. Crucial support for athletes Supporting athletes and NOCs that need it most, the NOC Competition Uniform Support Programme supplied essential and free competition clothing to more than 500 athletes from 73 NOCs in Tokyo. Without this support, these NOCs would not be able to provide the technical clothing necessary for their athletes to compete at…
