International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Announces New Chief Executive

Vysoké Tatry, SVK – The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) today announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Mark Dolley, to help lead the organisation starting on 01 March 2011.

"ICSD is faced with immense challenges and I'm grateful that Mark Dolley will now be bringing his high-level experience of sport, sports policy and his vital Olympic Movement professionalism and 'ethos' to the ICSD," commented ICSD President Craig Crowley.

"A stronger organisation and a more robust calendar of competitions must be put in place. ICSD must deliver on its core objective of serving deaf athletes, via successful Deaflympics, if we are to ensure greater recognition by sports organisations, business, the media and government. These are the things ICSD is working toward. And we are very confident that Mark Dolley is the best person to lead the delivery of ICSD's work, for the benefit of Deaf athletes everywhere." Crowley added.

 "I'm profoundly honoured to be joining the ICSD at an absolutely critical time in the organisation’s development," commented Mark Dolley. "The ICSD has had a long and proud history of serving the needs of Deaf sport. I have no illusions about the scope of the task ahead. But a sound strategic plan has been established by the ICSD's Executive Board. I am convinced there are still opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with all of Deaf sport, to ensure a rich future is added to ICSD's rich history, despite the current challenges."

Dolley, formerly responsible for Olympic Games communications at the International Olympic Committee, and a key member of the IOC's Games management team, has been appointed as the result of a comprehensive international search by Sports Recruitment International (SRI).

"There was a particularly impressive array of candidates applying for this position," commented SRI Partner Michael Platen. "SRI was tasked with helping ICSD find a candidate with a special combination of Games management, communications, commercial and Olympic Movement expertise. We're confident that with Mark Dolley as CEO, the ICSD's future is in the best available hands," added Platen.

Tiffany Granfors, Chief Executive Officer, will be leaving the organization after ten years of loyal and professional service, on 28 February. "On behalf of the Executive Board, staff, delegates and athletes everywhere, I would like to thank Tiffany for her sterling contribution," said Craig Crowley.

Organised by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf since 1924, the Deaflympics are held every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games. Sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, the ICSD and its members are committed to serving Deaf athletes all around the world, recognising their unique ways of communicating on and off the sports field.

Founded in 2001, Sports Recruitment International is now recognised as a leading executive search firm for the Sports Industry. It has offices in London, Sydney, Singapore and Lausanne. Michael Squires, the London based Chairman of Sports Recruitment International, played an important role in liaising with the ICSD, which lead to this collaboration.

By Secretariat