2025 National Conference & AGM

Registrations Open

Presentations

2025 National Conference

Dates: Tuesday 20 May and Wednesday 21 May

Venue: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 65 Hindley St, Adelaide

Theme: The value of sport and physical activity on supporting university outcomes

Aim: Provide delegates with strategies on how to use sport to address broader university challenges

About the Conference

Following a review of member feedback of the 2024 National Forum, and in conjunction with feedback from the National Forum Working Group, in 2025 UniSport is transitioning to a National Conference.

The Conference will still have networking as a key event principle, but will have a streamlined program, targeted to those responsible for the physical, social and mental wellbeing of the university community.

The Conference traditionally attracts over 120 university sport leaders, keynote speakers, university sport administrators and managers as well as representatives from international university sport federations, national sporting organisations and key university stakeholders. 

Alongside the Conference, the annual UniSport Sport Awards will be presented in the evening on Tuesday 20 May, to celebrate the achievement of university student-athletes and sporting programs. This year’s presentations will be delivered in an informal networking style function.  

UniSport Australia respectfully acknowledges the Kaurna people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the 2025 UniSport National Conference will be held. 

2025 Featured Speakers

KYLE CHALMERS

Olympic Gold Medallist

At just 18 years old, Kyle caused shockwaves in the swimming world when he won the blue-ribboned men's 100m freestyle Olympic title at Rio 2016.

Since then, he has won two silver medals in the men’s 100m freestyle, multiple relay Olympic medals and multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals.

ANDREW O’LOUGHLIN

Experience Design advisor, facilitator and coach

Presentation: How to design (or redesign) sport to work in new ways, meet new expectations, and have a positive influence in a university setting.

In a world of new and rising expectations, the experiences you provide will determine whether people value what you offer, and ultimately decide if they come back again, and, what they say about you.

NARELLE EATHER

Associate Professor in Health and Physical Education at The University of Newcastle

Presentation: How to demonstrate the significant value of sport in improving student mental health in a university setting.

Narelle is an active researcher and has published in peer-reviewed international journals. Recently, her research has included the development of physical fitness and psychological health in adolescents.

FIONA NOTLEY

RMIT Chief Operating Officer

Presentation: How to sell the message of sport to university executives.

Fiona Notley is a Senior Executive and Non-Executive Director with 23 years’ experience in a diverse range of roles and sectors including education, sport, and health and is currently RMIT University’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Vice President having joined the University in November 2024.

BEN CORK

Pride in Sport Senior Relationship Manager

Presentation: How to implement Pride in Sport initiatives and get university buy-in.

Through his work with Pride in Sport, Ben supports Australian sporting organisations to build inclusive cultures, promote participation and reconnect communities. On top of his work with Pride in Sport, Ben has been involved in Gymnastics over 30 years as an athlete, coach and administrator.

National Conference MC

STEPHANIE BRANTZ

Renowned Australian sports presenter Stephanie Brantz will be MC for the UniSport National Conference.

Stephanie has worked in the Australian sports television industry since 2000, with SBS, the Nine Network, Fox Sports and the ABC, and is currently a contributor for ESPN. Brantz is also an Ambassador and student mentor for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, an ambassador for the Chappell Foundation and was family ambassador of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association.

Delegate Pricing

In 2025, all UniSport Australia member universities will be providing with one member delegate free of charge . For additional delegates (member or non-member) the below costs will apply per delegate.

Member Delegates: $550.00
Non-Member Delegates: $650.00
Student Delegates: $225.00
One Day Member Delegates: $275.00
One Day Non-Member Delegates: $375.00

*Inclusive of GST and service fees - PayPal fee not included.

Schedule

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

Conference Day 1 EXT 20.05.25 8.30am.png

Sports Awards

The UniSport Sport Awards will be presented at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide from 5.15pm on Tuesday 20 May.

Sport Awards will be presented in the following categories:

Most outstanding performance by a student-athlete
Most outstanding performance by a student-athlete with a disability
Most outstanding performance by an Indigenous student-athlete
Student-athlete of the year
Team of the year
Official of the year
Club leadership award
Most outstanding university sport project/program
Most outstanding contribution by a student volunteer

Further information about the Awards, including criteria and past winners, can be found at our awards webpage. 

Presentations

Member Showcase

Presentations

Climate change, sustainability and its impact on sport on campus - Deakin University
How to land your dream job - Reuben Williams & Paul Bruce
Human connection and leadership - Dr Ali Walker
University sport and sustainable development - a global perspective - FISU

UniSport Workshops

Personal & Professional Development

Clubs Officers: Volunteer Recruitment & Retention - Connelly Project Resources
Students: Employability & networking - SportsGrad
Chief Executives: Show Me The Money - The Grants Guy
They say culture eats strategy for breakfast - how to ensure culture and strategy can align and thrive together? - Leading Teams

Future Planning & Strategy

The Future of Australian Sport - Dr Lucy Cameron PhD, CSIRO
Future planning in the sports sector - Louisa Begley, Australia Sports Commission
How the sector can promote sport as the social connector on campus for health and wellbeing of students - Dr Megan Lee PhD, Bond University
NUsport Strategic Planning - Deborah Wright, University of Newcastle

Leveraging Future Sporting Events

Griffith Sports Engagement, Leveraging major events - Naomi McCarthy, Griffith University
Victoria Commonwealth Games 2026 - Andrew Crowley, Deakin University

Engaging Students

How sport is a powerful bonding element for disability inclusion beyond the campus community - Andrew Walton, Disability Sport & Recreation
Para Sports meets University Sport - A/Prof Sean Tweedy, The University of Queensland
Engaging Students - Chris Earl, Curtin University
Engaging online / distance students in sport and extra curriculars in a post COVID-19 world - Christopher Watson, University of Southern Queensland

International Competition Opportunities

International Competition Opportunities - Siobhan James, UniSport Australia
FISU 3x3 Basketball University World Cup - Brett Morley, Macquarie University
FISU Football University World Cup - Lucienne Monk, Sydney University Sport & Fitness
UBL Taiwan International Tour - Nick Lambert, La Trobe University

Chief Executives Stream

Opening Address, The Value of Sport - Dr David Hughes, Australian Institute of Sport
UniSport Strategic Plan Workshop Notes - Lisa Gowthorp & Mark Sinderberry, UniSport Australia
What's the State of Play with Student Services Amenity Fee (SSAF) Funding? - Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia
The UniSport-ADF-Adecco Project - Jane Woodlands-Thompson, UniSport Australia
How Healthy is your Campus? - Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia
Utilising sport to enhance the university reputation - Siobhan James, UniSport Australia
- Includes member presentations by The University of Sydney and University of Canberra
The University Basketball League (UBL) is about more than just the Sport - Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia

University Team Managers Stream

Vision for the future of Nationals - Nationals Event Team, UniSport Australia
New and emerging opportunities - Nationals Event Team, UniSport Australia
Student Official Program - Matt Hunter, UniSport Australia
Fresh Powder: Rebuilding Nationals Snow - Christine Voge, UniSport Australia
How to get your team organised for Nationals - Monique Smith, UniSport Australia
- Includes member presentations by Western Sydney University, La Trobe University, and Monash University

Club Officers Stream

The Value Proposition for University Sporting Clubs - Shane Cantelmi, UniSport Australia
Supporting your committees to help them thrive - Michael Connelly, Connelly Project Resources
ASC Game Plan - Driving Organisational Enhancement - Australian Sports Commission

Facilities Stream

Update on Facility Management Software - Shane Cantelmi, UniSport Australia
- Xplor Case Study - Flinders University
Build it and they will come... or will they? - Michael Connelly, Connelly Project Resources
Post-Covid university facility usage trends - Shane Cantelmi, UniSport Australia
Sustainable facility development and practice - Alexia Morgan, Belgravia Leisure

Australian rules football

27 Sept - 1 Oct 2021 (TBC)

2025 National Conference & AGM

Schedule