UniSport Nationals return to the Gold Coast in 2025. Find out more

Conference Schedule

The 2025 National Conference Schedule

The following provides an overview of the schedule for the 2025 National Conference at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Adelaide.

Day 1	Tuesday 20 May 2025
10:00am	Accreditation collections open
10:30am	UniSport Australia Annual General Meeting & UniSport Strategic Update
11.55am	MC Stephanie Brantz welcomes everyone
12:00pm	Official OpeningSA Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, the Hon Emily Bourke MLC
12:15pm	Lunch
1.15pm	Member case study: Activity, connection and wellbeing on campus – VU thrive* ProgramRohenna Young Rohenna will present on how the VU thrive* program has enriched the university’s culture, individuals’ wellbeing and connections, leading to a place where everyone belongs and where fun, laughter, and meaningful interactions bring people together.
1.55pm	Leading the Way through University Sport: Addressing Gender Based Violence in Higher EducationStephanie Taylor, Christine Voge Stephanie will highlight how university sport presents both an opportunity and a responsibility to play a leadership role in supporting the university to deliver their whole of organisation approach to address gender-based violence in Higher Education. Christine will present on how UniSport will support our members to be able to do this.
2.20pm	The value of sport for psychological and social outcomes: evidence from the field Associate Professor Narelle Eather Narelle’s presentation will feature the Mental Health Through Sport conceptual model and highlight what universities can do for students to improve their mental health.

3:10pm	Afternoon Tea
3.30pm	Selling the message of sport to university executivesFiona Notley Fiona’s presentation will highlight that these are challenging times for higher education institutions, but there is the opportunity for sport to be part of the solution, through understanding the challenges and being strategic in response.
4.15pm	AIS Elite Sportsperson Education Network – expanding opportunities for students Christine Higgisson – Australian Institute of Sport Christine will provide further information to members on the AIS Elite Sportsperson Education Network and how it is underpinned by the high performance sectors’ Win Well strategy.
5.00pm	End of presentations
5:15pm	Presentation of UniSport Australia Sport Awards
6:45pm	End of day

Day 2	Wednesday 21 May 2025
9.00am	How to implement Pride in Sport initiatives and get university buy-in Ben Cork – Pride in Sport Ben will talk about what LGBTQ inclusion is and isn’t, why it’s important, and how university sport can benefit.
9.30am	Member case studies: Pride in Sport initiatives AU (Dan Lawlor), UWA (Kristina Mitsikas) Dan will talk through Adelaide University Sport’s journey in the Pride in Sport space. Kristina will present on UWA Sport’s award winning LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport program.
10.00am	Adaptive Sports member case studyUniSA (Bridget Fenoughty) Bridget will present on how the South Australian universities have worked together to deliver the SA Challenge Wheelchair Basketball competition.
10.15am	Lived experience of elite student-athletes with a disability Isobella Nitschke (UniSA), Madelene McNeil (FU) In this interview session, Isobella and Madelene will share from their perspective how to cater for a student-athlete with a disability, what makes a difference and provide suggestions on how universities can get started or progress in the adaptive sport space.
10:45am	Morning Tea
11.15am	How to design (or redesign) sport to work in new ways, meet new expectations, and have a positive influence in a university setting Andrew O’Loughlin Andrew’s presentation will feature how to design impactful sport experiences that keep students coming back, feeling connected, and becoming part of something bigger.
12.15pm	Case studies: examples of students being engaged on campus in new waysUniSC (Melanie Schipp), University of Auckland (Albie Eaton) Melanie will highlight how student sport has been enhanced at UniSC through re-designing sport that is now responsive, inclusive, data-informed, and truly impactful on the student journey. Albie will present on the University of Auckland’s new sport and recreation facility in the heart of their Auckland campus, that has been a huge investment in student wellbeing and an important step in strengthening their sport, recreation, and student engagement offerings.
1:00pm	Lunch
2.00pm	Member Elite Athlete Programs and current and future elite student-athlete needsJenny Borlase (SASI Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Advisor) Elite student-athletes – Alexander Trewartha (UniSA) and Dania Nugroho (FU) Member case studies – DEAK (Jack Duke), FU (Amy Moyce) Jenny will present on key considerations for best practice Elite Athlete Programs for student athletes of the future. Alexander and Dania will be interviewed on how both the athlete and university can maximise value through having elite student-athletes at university. Jack will present on how Deakin’s elite athlete program sets it apart and Amy will talk on the Flinders University Sport and Fitness ‘Athlete Development Program’ and how it benefits their student-athletes.
3:00pm	Afternoon Tea
3.15pm	Q&A with Kyle Chalmers Australian Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers will share his story during this Q&A interview.
4.15pm	Closing Address
4.30pm	Conference Close