English
EspañolIntroducing Prof. PhD Rares Stanescu – ICSSPE’s New Vice-President
ICSSPE
26/09/2025 12:09
The International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) is excited to spotlight the second of its newly elected Vice-Presidents, Prof. PhD Rares Stanescu. A long-standing leader in sport, physical education, and science, Prof. Stanescu brings a wealth of academic expertise, international management experience, and a clear vision for advancing ICSSPE’s mission.
“Being elected Vice-President of ICSSPE is both a personal honor and a professional responsibility.” he said. “Ultimately, this role is not just about leadership, it's about service. Service
to the community, to the values ICSSPE stands for, and to the shared goal of harnessing sport and physical activity to build healthier, more inclusive societies.”
Prof. Stanescu’s career combines teaching, research, and international leadership. A graduate of the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Bucharest, he specialized in tennis before earning a master’s degree in Sport Management, a PhD, and a Habilitation in Sport Science and Physical Education. His academic work includes over 30 international publications and numerous Erasmus+ projects, while his professional leadership spans roles in national and international federations, global conferences, and policy advisory boards.
As Vice-President, he identifies social entrepreneurship in sport as a key under-explored opportunity for ICSSPE, with the potential to make sport more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful. He also highlights pressing challenges facing the sector globally — from youth disengagement and inequalities of access, to digital transformation and environmental sustainability — and calls for stronger cross-sector collaboration to address them.
Looking ahead, Prof. Stanescu seeks to deepen partnerships between ICSSPE and universities, federations, NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations, while enhancing communication and knowledge exchange across its global network. “My vision includes strengthening collaborations between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers all over the world.” he explained.
Above all, he underscores the importance of inspiring the next generation: “My vision for ICSSPE is to inspire the next generation of researchers, educators, and coaches to make sport and physical education a driver of global well-being.”
Read the full interview with Prof. Stanescu in the attachment below to learn more about his journey, priorities, and inspiration as he takes on this important role.
