Gender Empowerment and Social Justice in Sport

Celia Brackenridge was honoured with the Philip Noel-Baker Research Award at the 6^th IWG Conference in Helsinki.

Before she received the Award, ICSSPE Executive Director Detlef Dumon provided a citation in which he found the following words to describe her achievements: 

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Sometimes stories about an individual precede them. When I told people that I would be seeing the person we are honouring today, I was warned: Be careful with what you say! – As if I didn’t know how to anticipate what is appropriate to say! No, I was told, she has very strong principles and will be quick to tell you if she disagrees with what you say.  

But who have I met? A person who has enriched my life, who has been generous with her time, knowledge, experience and kindness. Articulate and yes, without compromise. She is a scholar who is fully aware of her responsibility for all members of society, but with particular concern for those who need an advocate because they are not given equal access to the rights that most take for granted.

At the same time, a team player and leader full of confidence in her team, willing to compromise in order to further develop an idea.

This is how I got to know Celia Brackenridge.

Dear Celia, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, under its President Margaret Talbot, has awarded you the 2013 Philip Noel-Baker Research Award.

This highest award of ICSSPE is given to sport scientists who have made substantial international contributions in the areas of sport science and physical education. It is named after former ICSSPE President Philip Noel-Baker, who was awarded both, the Nobel Prize for Peace and an Olympic medal.

“I think I was deemed a failure”, she once said about her decision to study at a Physical Education College. That judgement was proven mistaken: she progressed to Cambridge University, where she earned a prestigious first class honours degree and captained the England lacrosse team. 

After a short career as a Physical Education teacher, she took up a lecturing post in higher education, and started her remarkable career. She has recently retired from Brunel University in UK.

During the decades, she has been a central figure in some of the most significant advances that have taken place in sport governance, management and development. Her work in gender and social justice has influenced policy and practice around the world, but it is perhaps her work on sexual, physical and emotional abuse in sport that has gained her most controversy and, most admiration. 

We still observe an unacceptable level of physical and emotional abuse in sport, in which undue pressure, aggressive and bullying behaviours and unhealthy training and eating regimes are portrayed as normal and necessary. Celia Brackenridge has challenged and undermined these assumptions, and given a voice and choice to athletes.

There are few scientists for whom this prize is so fitting as Celia Brackenridge.  Her research deserves recognition in its own right.  But she will, perhaps, be most remembered for leading the changes necessary to make the world of sport a safer, fairer and more peaceful place.

Once more, on behalf of ICSSPE and Margaret, who would have loved to be here today, I am honoured to present to you the 2013 Philip-Noel-Baker Research Award.

Watch the full video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUjoZTr0h_A