
2025 National Conference & AGM
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. 
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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
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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.

Presentations
Chief Executives Stream
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Opening Address, The Value of Sport - Dr David Hughes, Australian Institute of Sport
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UniSport Strategic Plan Workshop Notes - Lisa Gowthorp & Mark Sinderberry, UniSport Australia
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What's the State of Play with Student Services Amenity Fee (SSAF) Funding? - Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia
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The UniSport-ADF-Adecco Project - Jane Woodlands-Thompson, UniSport Australia
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How Healthy is your Campus? - Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia
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Utilising sport to enhance the university reputation - Siobhan James, UniSport Australia
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Includes member presentations by The University of Sydney and University of Canberra​
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The University Basketball League (UBL) is about more than just the Sport - Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia
University Team Managers Stream
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Vision for the future of Nationals - Nationals Event Team, UniSport Australia
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New and emerging opportunities - Nationals Event Team, UniSport Australia
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Student Official Program - Matt Hunter, UniSport Australia
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Fresh Powder: Rebuilding Nationals Snow - Christine Voge, UniSport Australia
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How to get your team organised for Nationals - Monique Smith, UniSport Australia
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Includes member presentations by Western Sydney University, La Trobe University, and Monash University​
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Club Officers Stream
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The Value Proposition for University Sporting Clubs - Shane Cantelmi, UniSport Australia
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Supporting your committees to help them thrive - Michael Connelly, Connelly Project Resources
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ASC Game Plan - Driving Organisational Enhancement - Australian Sports Commission
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Facilities Stream
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Update on Facility Management Software - Shane Cantelmi, UniSport Australia
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Xplor Case Study - Flinders University​
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Build it and they will come... or will they? - Michael Connelly, Connelly Project Resources
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Post-Covid university facility usage trends - Shane Cantelmi, UniSport Australia​​
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Sustainable facility development and practice - Alexia Morgan, Belgravia Leisure
