AISNSW Sport Leadership Conference 2023:

LIFT – Elevating the student experience in sport

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We invite Heads and Directors of Sport, Sport Convenors, Sport Administrators and other staff involved in independent school sport to join us at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific for the annual Sport Leadership Conference (formerly Heads of Sport) as we explore the theme of "LIFT - elevating the student experience in sport".

Sport programs across independent schools vary widely in purpose, scope, resourcing and operations. This year’s Conference will focus on ways in which sport leaders can drive the growth and development of sport specifically for their school context. The Conference will provide a big picture perspective of the future directions of sport in Australia and drill down to examine features that contribute to effective sport programs in diverse independent school settings.

Kieren Perkins OAM, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission will deliver the opening keynote address and the Conference will include a variety of plenary sessions and workshops some of which are highlighted below. An exciting new program feature included this year encourages and enhances the opportunity to connect and network with colleagues in similar contexts. See the full program via the links on this page.

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Date: 4 - 5 September 2023

Location: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific

Registration: Early Bird Rates available along with a discount for multiple registrations from individual schools.

Keynote Presenter: Kieren Perkins OAM

Kieren Perkins is a hero of Australian swimming. With dual Olympic Gold and dual Olympic Silver Medals and an impressive list of achievements, he was the first person in history to hold the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously.

Since his retirement from the pool, Kieren has drawn on his performance, experience and proven track record in delivering on goals to establish a successful career as a reporter, organisation leadership and culture consultant, CEO in the banking sector, President of Swimming Australia and now CEO of the Australian Sports Commission.

Kieren will open the Conference on Monday with an overview of sport in Australia in the green and gold runway to the 2032 Olympics.

Dr Lucy Cameron

Dr Lucy Cameron is a Principal Research Consultant and Team Leader with Australia’s National science agency, CSIRO.

Lucy was project lead and primary author of the second report titled: Future of Australian Sport: Megatrends shaping the sports sector over the coming decades. This report was released in December 2023 and was a collaboration between CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Sports.

She will be sharing her insights in the Workshop sessions.

Robyn Edwards

Robyn Edwards is a Senior Leadership Consultant at AISNSW and has extensive experience designing strategies with executive teams to evolve their organisation into an irresistible future. Robyn brings together design thinking methodologies with theories of transformation and systems leadership to spark significant growth opportunities. She has a deep understanding of leading in the complex team-based nature of independent schools and enjoys lifting leaders up.

Dr Mustafa Sakar & Dr Julie Johnston

Dr Mustafa Sarkar is an Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His research and consultancy focus on the psychology of performance excellence in sport and addresses how high achievers thrive on pressure and deliver sustained success and wellbeing, with a particular focus on resilience (at individual, team, and organisational levels), psychological safety, and mental health.

Dr Julie Johnston is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Psychology at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. Her research focuses on behavioural, social, and environmental influences on children and adolescent psychosocial development, health, and wellbeing, with a specific focus on supporting coaches and parents to effectively support young people in sport.

Prof. Stephen Cobley & Dr Shaun Abbott

Stephen is a Professor in the Discipline of Exercise & Sport Science at USYD. His research examines the developmental factors that facilitate or inhibit athlete development and is published in multi-disciplinary sport and exercise science research.

Shaun is a researcher with the Discipline of Exercise & Sport Science at USYD. Currently, Shaun is investigating the influence of growth and maturation on athlete development with Swimming Australia. He is examining how such influences impact coach and sport system decision-making.

Dr David Hughes

Dr David Hughes is a Sport & Exercise Medicine Physician with over 30 years’ experience working in sports medicine. He is currently Chief Medical Officer of the AIS and Chair of the Australian Olympic Committee Medical Commission. Sport sector experience includes International Rugby, the NRL, English Premier League football, International Women’s Basketball and Australian Open Tennis.

Dr Hughes was a medico to the Australian Olympic Team at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, the latter two as Medical Director. He is a former President of the Australasian College of Sport & Exercise Physicians (ACSEP).

2023 Conference Venue: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific

Accommodation bookings are the responsibility of the delegate which allows for greater flexibility of dates and length of stay. As the preferred accommodation provider, AISNSW have partnered with the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific to allow AISNSW delegates access to a corporate discounted rate. You are not obligated to stay at this hotel.

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2023 Sport Leadership Conference Program

Explore the full Conference program including keynote speakers and workshops.

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