AISNSW Sport Leadership Conference 2025

School Sport - What's your Strategy?

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Coaches and athletes appreciate the significance of strategy in influencing participation, motivation, enjoyment and high performance in training and competition. Strategic thinking and strategic planning are leadership practices that are important influencing factors on the effectiveness of school sport programs. Work with colleagues, leadership professionals and experts in the sports industry to share impactful practices and gain new insights that can benefit your school’s sport program. 

The Conference is designed to expose you to contemporary knowledge, skills and tools that will enhance your capacity to effectively lead your sport program now and into a more clearly defined future.

Join us in the Hunter Valley for two days of learning and networking at the AISNSW 2025 Sport Leadership Conference.

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Date: 1 -2 September 2025

Location: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Registration: Registration includes two days Conference attendance, all associated meals and the Conference Dinner. 

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Keynote Presenter: Professor Philip Morgan

Professor Philip Morgan is Co-Director of the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Active Living and Learning and a Professor in the School of Education. He is internationally recognised as a leading expert in the development and delivery of school and community-based interventions that promote wellbeing, physical activity, and sports participation. He is the founder of the internationally award-winning Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered program.

Keynote Presenter: Paula Leedham

Paula Leedham is a School Improvement specialist with a career in financial services, education, change management, and consulting. She has led large-scale reforms in schools in the UK and Australia. Paula holds a Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning, focusing on data-led decision making and continuous improvement. She is an accredited Change Management Practitioner, providing strategic advice and support to schools and leaders to drive positive and sustainable change.

Keynote Presenter: Darren Burgess (PhD)

Darren is currently the General Manager - Performance at Adelaide Football Club. Prior to this appointment Darren’s roles have included High Performance Manager at Melbourne Football Club, Director of High Performance at Arsenal Football Club, High Performance Manager at Port Adelaide Football Club, Head of Sports Science for Football Federation Australia and Head of Fitness and Conditioning at Liverpool Football Club. Darren worked as a lecturer in Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University in Sydney between 1997 and 2005 and completed his PhD in movement analysis of AFL and Soccer in 2010. 

Keynote Presenter: Dr Juanita Weissensteiner and Rebecca Neale

Dr Juanita Weissensteiner is the Principal Advisor of Talent Pathways for the NSW Office of Sport and leads the NSW Government’s Future Champions strategy. Rebecca is currently the Executive Officer of the South East Sports Academy (SESA). Together they will be presenting on Facilitating the Physical Literacy of the Emerging Athlete: NSW Office of Sport’s online Holistic Athlete Program and Empowering the Mental (and Nutritional) Skills of the Emerging Athlete: NSW Office of Sport’s online Athlete Mental Toolkit.

Presenter: Associate Professor Carolyn Broderick

Carolyn is a Staff Specialist in Sport & Exercise Medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Chief Medical Officer at Tennis Australia and the Australian Open. She served as Medical Director for the Australian Olympic Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has held various medical roles in five Olympic Games. Carolyn is actively involved in research and policy development for national and international sports organisations, focusing on athlete safety. She co-developed the SMA Extreme Heat Policy and is a Chief Investigator on studies related to Extreme Heat & Air Quality in Sport.

Presenter: Dr James Smallcombe

James Smallcombe is a senior post-doctoral research fellow in Heat and Health Research Centre in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. James is the Theme Lead for Maternal and Child Health and is involved with a wide range of research projects aimed at increasing human resilience to extreme heat events.

James’ main expertise is in paediatric thermoregulation and protecting vulnerable populations against the negative impacts of heat stress during day-to-day activities.

Presenter: Miriam Scott

Miriam is an education consultant with AISNSW, specialising in generative AI. With 20 years of teaching experience in Business and Technology and expertise in Digital Education, she brings a fresh, practical perspective to supporting Independent schools across New South Wales. Miriam’s role focuses on helping educators, students, and administrators thoughtfully integrate AI to enhance learning, teaching, and operational practices. Through strategic, tailored planning and adaptable resources, she enables schools to navigate the evolving AI landscape with confidence and integrity, fostering future-ready learning communities.

2025 Conference Venue: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

In 2025, AISNSW have partnered with the Rydges Resort Hunter Valley to allow Conference delegates to make their own accommodation bookings allowing for greater flexibility of dates and length of stay. This is our preferred accommodation partner and they have provided AISNSW delegates with a discount. You are not obligated to stay at this hotel.

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