FISA commissions meet in France

The specialist commissions of the International Rowing Federation, FISA, are meeting this weekend in Lyon, France. FISA is one of the only international sporting federations to hold an annual meeting during which each working commission has the opportunity to meet the executive committee face to face as well as get together with their own commission members.

This meeting ensures excellent communication of goals and objectives within the organisation and a unique opportunity for all members of its commissions to have personal contact with the leadership.

FISA has 11 specialist commissions, two cross-commissions and a working group who meet each year to exchange proposals for new developments. Each group is fronted by a chairperson with between three and eight members.
- The Events Commission is responsible for setting and monitoring the standards of international regattas and of all FISA events in terms of the venue, the technical installations, safety of rowers and the organisation of the events. This is chaired by Mike Tanner (HKG).
- The Umpiring Commission is responsible for standardising umpiring and maintaining and improving the quality of umpiring in general, especially FISA World Cups, World Championships and international events (regattas, sprints, adaptive, ergometer, coastal, etc.) throughout the world. This is chaired by Patrick Rombaut (BEL).
- The Materials Commission is responsible for ensuring the compliance of rules concerning boats and equipment for all types of FISA events, including the Olympic Games. This is chaired by Paul Fuchs (USA).
- The Competitive Rowing Commission is responsible for increasing participation in all types of competitive rowing, as well as questions relating to coaching. This is chaired by John Boultbee (AUS).
- The Youth Rowing Commission is responsible for overseeing all areas of youth rowing and to increasing participation in youth rowing at all levels of performance at national and international levels. This is chaired by Algirdas Raslanas (LTU).
- The Masters Rowing Commission is responsible for the promotion of masters rowing (27 years old and over) in all its forms on a national and international basis. This is chaired by Peter Morrison (GBR).
- The Rowing for All Commission is responsible for the promotion on a national and international basis of all the following forms of rowing: touring, fitness, recreational, coastal, traditional and ergometer rowing. This is chaired by Denis Masseglia (FRA).
- The Sports Medicine Commission is responsible for overseeing and advising on all medical aspects related to rowing. This is chaired by Alain Lacoste (FRA).
- The Media and Promotions Commission provides and coordinates the presentation of FISA events. This is chaired by Arno Boes (GER).
- The Athletes Commission is responsible for ensuring that the FISA Council is aware of the opinions of current active rowers concerning major issues affecting the sport. This is chaired by Jean-Christophe Rolland (FRA).
- The Adaptive Rowing Commission is responsible for overseeing all areas of adaptive rowing. This is chaired by Fay Ho (HKG).
- The Development Cross-Commission is responsible for promoting the universality of rowing in all its aspects. This is chaired by Anita De Frantz (USA), FISA’s vice-president.
- The Women’s Rowing Cross-Commission is responsible for promoting participation in women’s events and identifying and promoting women in administration, coaching, umpiring and research. This is chaired by Tricia Smith (CAN).
- The Working Group on Rowing and the Environment is responsible for promoting environmental responsibility in the planning and staging of events, design and construction of new rowing facilities. This is chaired by Timothy Richardson (NZL).
- The European Rowing Management Board is responsible for directional guidance, promotion and development of European rowing. This is chaired by Ryszard Stadniuk (POL).

This is the third time that the Joint Commissions Meeting has been held in France. The last time was two years ago in conjunction with the World Rowing Coaches Conference.

“FISA is grateful for the excellent cooperation that it enjoys with the French Rowing Federation,” says FISA Executive Director Matt Smith. “Another example of this is the hosting of this important meeting again in France. FISA also benefits with excellent contributions from its French members who contribute significantly to World Rowing.”

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