PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nashville, TN — 04 June 2026
Leading Asia-Pacific ESD organization will help expand athlete empowerment and violence prevention initiatives across the region
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 4, 2026 — The Strong Side, the flagship culture-change initiative of the International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP), today announced that Wisdom for Women has joined its growing global network as the regional ESD Provider Organization for Australia and Oceania.
As part of the partnership, Wisdom for Women will support the implementation and delivery of Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) programming throughout the region, helping expand The Strong Side’s mission to equip athletes, sports organizations, and communities with practical tools for violence prevention, personal safety, and culture change.
Wisdom for Women is a leading provider of holistic ESD training across the Asia-Pacific region. Founded by a certified wing chun instructor, conflict resolution specialist, and internationally recognized ESD expert, the organization blends physical self-defense techniques with psychological empowerment, neuroscience-backed strategies, and personal development methodologies — all aimed at creating lasting impact in personal safety, empowerment, and violence prevention education.
“We are honored to join The Strong Side and contribute to building safer sporting environments throughout Australia and Oceania,” said Antonella Spatola, Founder of Wisdom for Women. “Sport has immense power to shape culture, and we believe empowerment-based education is essential to helping athletes, coaches, and communities prevent violence and create lasting social change.”
“We don’t just talk about safer sport. We build the infrastructure for it,” said Lissette Brassac Fitzgerald, Executive Director of IAESDP. “Adding Wisdom for Women to The Strong Side Team significantly strengthens our ability to deliver world-class empowerment and violence prevention education throughout Australia and Oceania.”
Wisdom for Women joins a network of regional provider organizations and strategic partners that together form The Strong Side Team:
• No Means No Worldwide — Regional Provider, Africa & Latin America
• ESD Brazil — Regional Provider, Brazil
• ESD Europe — Regional Provider, Europe
• We Are Safer Together — Regional Provider, Western United States
• ASSERT Empowerment — Regional Provider, Eastern United States
• IMPACT Columbus — Provider, Special Needs Athletes
• Chameleon Collective — Official Marketing Agency
• SEE Change Initiative Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health — Research collaborator
“Athletes already know discipline and resilience. What we’re adding is another layer, the psychological tools, the voice, and the embodied confidence to know their worth, hold their ground, and become the role models who change the culture around them.” says Antonella.
About Wisdom for Women
Wisdom for Women is a leading provider of holistic Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) training across the Asia-Pacific region. Founded by a certified wing chun instructor, conflict resolution specialist, and internationally recognized ESD expert, Wisdom for Women integrates physical self-defense, psychological empowerment, neuroscience-backed approaches, and personal development methodologies to create transformative education in personal safety, empowerment, and violence prevention.
About The Strong Side (TSS)
The Strong Side is the flagship culture-change engine of the International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP). TSS equips sports organizations with practical training, prevention systems, and community activation to reduce harm, protect brand trust, and strengthen loyalty—from the locker room out—to the pitch, to the stadium, to the community.
About IAESDP
The International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP) advances safety, violence prevention, and empowerment-based education through professional standards, training frameworks, and implementation support across sectors.
Availability / Interviews
IAESDP and The Strong Side leadership are available for interviews and briefings with sports media and league stakeholders.
Press contact:
press@thestrongside.team
www.thestrongside.team
Wisdom for Women
Antonella Spatola. Founder Wisdom For Women
info@esdtraining.com.au www.wisdomforwomen.com.au
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