The International Savate Federation is strengthening its global presence through a coordinated programme of athlete development, officiating education and safeguarding initiatives, as the sport seeks to raise professional standards and expand its international reach.
More than 130 athletes, coaches, referees and officials from 14 nations gathered at Terme Olimia in Slovenia for the FISav International Summer Camp, following the 2026 European Youth Championships. The five day programme brought together participants from three continents for intensive technical training, tactical preparation and international knowledge exchange.
With the World Assaut Championships approaching, the camp focused on improving competitive performance while also developing the next generation of officials. An official FISav refereeing and judging seminar provided advanced education and examination opportunities for both emerging and experienced referees, reinforcing the federation’s focus on consistency and professionalism in competition.
The development programme will continue in August with the CESav Summer Camp in Kranevo, Bulgaria. The event, scheduled for 16 to 23 August, will bring together Savate practitioners of all levels for technical sessions, tactical workshops, physical preparation and sparring under the guidance of international coaches. A dedicated refereeing seminar will also provide further education opportunities for officials.
savate training camp
Improving officiating standards has become a central part of FISav’s long term strategy. This commitment was highlighted through the recognition of Maja Odžić as the federation’s Personality of the Month. As President of the FISav Arbitrage Commission, Odžić has played a key role in developing referee education programmes, certification courses and international seminars aimed at improving the quality and reliability of judging.
With extensive experience as an international referee, instructor and official, Odžić has focused on mentoring referees, encouraging continuous learning and promoting greater consistency in the application of the rules. Her work has helped strengthen confidence in international officiating and support the credibility of Savate competitions worldwide.
Beyond technical development, FISav has also placed athlete welfare and safeguarding at the centre of its governance priorities. FISav President Dr Julie Gabriel recently participated as a keynote speaker at the global Where We Draw the Line safeguarding webinar, organised by United Through Sports ahead of Olympic Day 2026.
Safeguarding course
The webinar brought together sports leaders, athletes, educators and international experts to discuss how organisations can create safer sporting environments through stronger policies, education and cooperation. Topics included athlete welfare, organisational culture, inclusion, integrity education and safeguarding implementation.
During her presentation, Dr Gabriel highlighted the importance of integrity education and presented the AIMS Integrity E Learning Platform and the FISav Fair Play course as practical tools to promote respect, accountability and athlete protection. She said safeguarding is a shared responsibility and that education is essential to building positive sporting cultures.
The participation of organisations including Mission 89, Special Olympics, IGNITX and the Ju Jitsu Asian Union demonstrated a wider commitment across the international sports community to improving safeguarding standards.
The latest initiatives underline a broader shift in Savate, with the federation placing equal importance on competition, education and governance. As the sport continues to develop internationally, strengthening the skills of athletes and officials while improving safeguarding standards will be crucial to building long term credibility and wider recognition on the international stage.
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