Staff Reporter
Auckland, October 7, 2022
Wikitoria Day, Rikki Swannell and Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson will co-host the 8th International Working Group (IWG) World Conference on Women and Sport this November.
The International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport Secretariat, Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa will feature an impressive line-up of Kaiwhakataki (MC Hosts) from November 8, 2022.
Exceptional Experience
Rikki Swannell and Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson, who are experienced broadcasters of World Rugby,
will join award-winning radio show host Wikitoria Day (Ngāi Tūhoe) at the four-day event.
The core programme, which has more than 220 sessions and about 500 international presenters, will provide opportunities for leaders and other participants.
Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA) organisers announced that IWG 2022 is expected to set a new global record with 1100 confirmed attendees from more than 300 organisations representing 60 countries worldwide.
IWG New Zealand Secretary General Rachel Froggatt said that the Organisation is thrilled to have a trio well-known for their contribution to sport and Maori media.
“We know that they will provide an exceptional experience for all our participants, whether they join us in person or online. Four years ago, we set out to co-design the programme with the INNOV8 Team, which included more than 150 gender equality experts from 28 countries. Seeing this coming to life is exciting, and our MCs will certainly amplify this through their art as storytellers,” she said.
Ms Froggatt said that Rikki has played an active role in the INNOV8 Team and will continue her contribution as one of the programme hosts.
“Her expertise and knowledge of the programme will provide a rich experience, particularly for our online participants,” she said.
Wikitōria will anchor the Conference from the venue at Aotea Centre as the Lead MC.
About Wikitoria Day
She is well known for her work as a radio host, news anchor, producer and reporter with Whakaata Maori (formerly known as Maori TV), New Zealand’s national indigenous media organisation. Her recent work with Discovery as the Maori advisor led her to translate the first ever Maori version of the prime-time show ‘The Project,’ presented entirely in Maori.
“Noku Te Mangari Kia Tu Hei Kaiwhakataki Mo Tenei Kaupapa Nui Whakaharahara. I am honoured to be a part of this prestigious event and I look forward to bringing a Maori cultural flare to an international audience,” she said.
Scotty will play a dual role as co-host in the venue and on the virtual platform. He will also be part of the advocacy team that will create content for local and global media to raise visibility and increase engagement around the issues and topics coming out of the conference.
He is a popular broadcaster and one of New Zealand’s favourite media personalities.
He is a male ally and is one of the first male champions to join the Allies for Gender Equity in the Aotearoa Sports programme.
A proud supporter of women’s sports, Scott will co-host the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup on Spark Sport and Three, starting on October 8, 2022, at Eden Park.
He said, “I am honoured to play a small part in this kaupapa and to learn from the very best minds in women’s sport. This is a hugely valuable conference, positioned to take advantage of a great upswing in the coverage and awareness of our best wahine athletes, and one that will lay the foundation for continued growth and support.”
About Rikki Swannell
Rikki will be a virtual platform host, with more than 300 virtual-only participants, with another 200 virtual hosts expected. She has co-hosted virtual events (Sport NZ Women + Girls Summit 2020-2021) before, and her understanding of the platform will deliver an engaging and free-flowing experience for participants.
Rikki has been a sports broadcaster for 20 years, started her career as a radio journalist, and covered numerous major sporting events, including five Olympics and four Commonwealth Games. She can be heard on Sky Sport, where she is a regular commentator on Netball, Rugby and Tennis, and on the World 7s series, working for World Rugby.
She recently released her second book about the New Zealand Women’s Seven’s Team, Sevens Sisters – How a people-first culture turned silver into gold.
The conference programme has been updated to facilitate participants to check the time and mode (hybrid, virtual or in-person only) of the session that they intend to join via the Conference Hub. Some session times have changed, and hence, please visit the Hub.
Group Packages are available now, with a call to action to ‘Register your Delegation.’
Confirmed delegations include the International Olympic Committee, World Rugby, World Netball, Oceania Hockey, and the Japan Sports Council.
Please register at https://www.iwgworldconference.org/#home-participate
