- IMMAF UPDATES YOUTH & SOCIAL MEDIA SAFEGUARDING GUIDELINES
- IMMAF LAUNCHES ON TIKTOK AHEAD OF YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation is launching an Athlete Influencer panel to educate younger participants about social media use, as part of a drive to develop a positive community space online and prevent harm.
The move comes in the run-up to IMMAF’s second Youth MMA World Championships for 12 – 17-year-olds, which is to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria from 30 July – 1 August 2021, as the world governing body for amateur MMA expands its digital presence onto TikTok
IMMAF’s Athlete Influencer panel will be working with IMMAF to support its athletes on social media through the provision of guidance, creative ideas, content and support sessions. The panel features IMMAF medallists with aspirational profiles on TikTok, as well as two youth representatives from the 14 -15s age category. See below for panel member details.
In parallel to the Athlete Influencer Programme, IMMAF has just published its updated Youth & Social Media Safeguarding Guidelines for 2021. The guidelines for federations, national teams, coaches, parents and accredited persons attending IMMAF Youth Competitions, outline rules and advice for the digital safeguarding of children and young people at IMMAF events. See guidelines here.
IMMAF will also be offering incentives and rewards for positive social media use by its athletes.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said:
“Social media is hugely powerful in its capacity to bring together disparate international communities and can be a tremendous force for good in enabling participants to share and celebrate their achievements together and for the syndication of knowledge and education. Its democratising potential has been highlighted more than ever during the pandemic, through which we have been able to develop deeper relationships with our members who have been able to come together more frequently than ever as a community, online.
“It is the duty of IMMAF as a governing body to lead in creating a positive framework for our online community, as we do in IMMAF’s competition and governance spaces and as a key part of our youth development work. As our younger athletes navigate the social media space, IMMAF is committed to supporting their right to a safe environment. We propose to mentor and support our young athletes in building their profiles in a savvy way that benefits their careers, while guiding them away from potentially costly mistakes and protecting them from harm.”
IMMAF ATHLETE INFLUENCER PANEL
IMMAF Team
Chairperson – Andreas Georgiou, IMMAF Social Media Manager (Uni4m Brand)
Deputy Chairperson – Juliana Daguano, IMMAF PR Assistant
Jorden Curran, IMMAF Member Development Consultant & Athlete Commission Liaison
Athletes
Reo Yamaguchi – Japan
Accolades: IMMAF World Silver Medallist, IMMAF European Silver Medallist , IMMAF Oceania Open Gold Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reo_yamaguch
Colleen Augustin – Malaysia
Accolades: IMMAF World Bronze Medallist, IMMAF Asian Open Gold Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colleenaugustin
Jasmine Favero – Italy
Accolades: IMMAF World Silver Medallist, IMMAF European Gold Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faverojasminemma
Shauna Bannon – Ireland
Accolades: IMMAF World Silver Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shaunabannon_
Sarah Elliott – Ireland
Accolades: IMMAF Youth A Featherweight Gold Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarah.elliotts
Youth MMA Representatives
Hannah Wagstaff – USA
Accolades: USFL Cadet Girls 14-15 yrs. National Silver Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hhannahswagstaff
Rhonin Swenson – USA
Accolades: USFL Cadet Boys 14-15 yrs. National Bronze Medallist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhoninswenson
Main Image: Colleen Augustin at the 2019 IMMAF World Championships
