National Forum & AGM

Registrations now closed

About the Forum

Following a review of member feedback of the 2023 National Conference, in 2024 UniSport transitioned to a forum format and implemented changes to allow the emphasis of member presentations, specialised workshops and discussion, and networking as key event principles.

The UniSport National Forum unites university sport administrators and managers for networking opportunities and conversations surrounding issues that drive the university sport sector. The forum 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 Forum, the annual UniSport Gala Dinner is held to celebrate the achievement of university student-athletes and sporting programs through the presentation of the Sports Awards.

2024 UniSport National Forum

In 2024, the UniSport National Forum was held in Canberra, at the University of Canberra's Ann Harding Conference Centre, on Tuesday 7 May and Wednesday 8 May.

UniSport Australia respectfully acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the 2024 UniSport National Forum took place.

2024 National Forum Schedule

Schedule

At the 2024 National Forum there were a number of streams focused on our event theme, The Value of Sport. Program highlights from the event can be found below.

Program Highlights

CEO/Senior Manager Stream

Topics included utilising sport to enhance the university reputation, health and wellbeing, SSAF funding, work integrated learning and member input into the next UniSport strategic plan.

UTM Stream

Topics included member input into the vision for the future of Nationals, how to get your team organised for Nationals, new and emerging sports, and student officials.

Clubs Stream (one-day program, Tuesday 7 May)

Topics included club affiliation agreements, increasing club capacity through the Australian Sports Commission's ‘Game Plan’, and Michael Connelly from CPR Projects presenting on 'Supporting your committees to help them thrive'.

Facility Manager’s Stream (one-day program, Wednesday 8 May)

Topics included sustainable facility development and practices, staff and student facility engagement and venue risk management.

Gala Dinner & Sports Awards

The UniSport Gala Dinner was hosted at Mercure Belconnen on Tuesday 7 May, where UniSport's 2023 Sports Awards were 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

Award winners can be viewed at our awards webpage.

Facilities Stream - Wednesday 8 May

UniSport presented a stream at the 2024 National Forum for Facility Managers, Coordinators and Officers. This one day program included sessions focused on workshopping and case studies on relevant topics for universities.

Facilities Stream Schedule

Update on Facility Management Software

Facilitator: Shane Cantelmi

Case Study: Flinders University

Build it and they will come … or will they?

Facilitator: Michael Connelly

Post-Covid university facility usage trends

Facilitator: Shane Cantelmi

Case Study: Deakin University

Sustainable facility development and practices

Facilitator: Alexia Morgan

About the Presenters

Michael Connelly | Managing Director, CPR Projects

Michael Connelly is an inspirational community development specialist.

For more than 20 years, Michael has managed change for national, state and regional not-for-profits, university student associations, corporations, state agencies and regional Councils across Australia.

Through CPR Group’s sport and community planning, funding and training projects, Michael is driving the innovation of not-for-profit governance to create happier volunteers and bring positive change to the sport and community development sectors.

As a professional speaker, Michael’s workshops and motivational presentations inform, inspire and energise. His planning and governance seminars are high-energy, entertaining, and they effect change that is embraced by participants.

Alexia Morgan | Group Manager, Business Improvement, Belgravia Health & Leisure Group

Alexia Morgan is a passionate sustainability professional, determined to lead anyone who will listen on their sustainability journey.

Alexia believes that everyone can make a positive difference to the way their business, sporting club or household operates environmentally. Whether it’s simple initiatives like recycling, or more complex carbon emissions boundaries, it’s just a matter of getting started and then continually improving.

Alexia has worked the majority of her career in the sport, recreation and aquatics industry. Alexia is a Life Member of Aquatics and Recreation Vicotria after serving on their board for over 13 years.

Alexia has an MBA and is currently completing her Master of Environment and Sustainability at Monash University.

Club Stream - Tuesday 7 May

UniSport is proud to have presented a stream at the 2024 National Forum for Clubs Officers. This one day program included sessions focused on workshopping and case studies on relevant topics for universities.

Club Stream Schedule

The Value Proposition for University Sporting Clubs
Facilitator: Shane Cantelmi

Supporting your committees to help them thrive

Facilitator: Michael Connelly

Increasing club capability through ASC Game Plan

Facilitator: Australian Sports Commission

Case Study: Baseball WA

About the Presenters

Michael Connelly | Managing Director, CPR Projects

Michael Connelly is an inspirational community development specialist.

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)

National Forum & AGM