Shaping What Comes Next in Sports Performance . Tapio Korjus , the President of the ASPC
Dear ASPC family ,
We have started a new exciting Olympics towards Milano Cortina and Los Angeles . We have learned a lot from the past Olympics . All centers have a lot of successes and learning behind them together with their own sports customers .
ASPC ’ s new strategy was started almost three years ago . The values , vision , strategic goals and action plan of the strategy still carry us well . At the same time , the world around us has changed rapidly – also in sports . Three years ago , we did not yet know how to put the same emphasis on digital solutions and artificial intelligence as our operating environment offers and also requires today . Can we update our strategy at speed ? How quickly can we adapt and develop our daily work in our centers . How quickly do we need to think about our services , expertise and conditions to serve new and future generations of athletes with high quality ? Will we be able to help our coaches and experts adopt and utilize new digital tools and methods ? How quickly can change happen ? How will transformation and a data driven training center be implemented ? We ’ re standing at the edge of massive change .
Having worked closely with world-class athletes , coaches , and performance experts for the most part of my career , one thing has become clear : the next generation of athletes isn ’ t just looking for better training facilities . They ’ re looking for an entirely new experience . Sports isn ’ t just about training and competing anymore . It ’ s also entertainment . It ’ s part of culture . It ’ s storytelling .
The way that people engage with sports globally is also changing . Athletes are not just competitors ; they ’ re influencers , content creators , and role models . Fans don ’ t just watch the game - they want to be part of it . And the growing focus on health and well-being means that what we do at our training centers can have an impact far beyond the elite athlete level . Technology has already become an essential part of our daily operations .
Digital coaching tools , data-driven insights , and social engagement strategies are no longer luxuries , they ’ re necessities . The real opportunity isn ’ t just about adopting new tools - it ’ s about rethinking how we operate , how we collaborate , and how we can shape the future of performance training .
ASPC centres have always been the backbone of elite performance , but now we have the opportunity to be so much more . We can become the bridge between tra-dition and innovation in sports ; between elite athletes and the broader community ; between performance and purpose .
We need to start thinking like entrepreneurs : finding new ways to connect , innovate , and create lasting societal impact . By working together , ASPC centres can take on a bigger role in society , helping to drive transformation and foster a global move-ment of performance , health , and innovation . This isn ’ t just about keeping up ; it ’ s about leading .
What excites me most is the potential we have when we work together . Imagine a global network of 120 + performance centres that don ’ t just train athletes but also engage communities , drive research , and create opportunities that never existed before . A network that is adaptable , forward-thinking , and prepared for whatever the future holds .
We are at a pivotal moment . Sports will continue to evolve . Let ’ s make sure that we are the ones shaping the change !
This year will be very exciting for ASPC in many ways . We have just launched the ASPC Mike English Scholarship Program Contest where each member center can apply for a 10,000 euro grant for a project to foster innovation , knowledge transfer and positive impact in the sports field . The submission dead line for this contest will be April 25th 2025 . Let ’ s open your imagination and make a great application .