MANAGING SPORT
- 1-2 July 2026
- Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Managing Sport
In Partnership with Confederation of Australian Sport
New leadership models, shifting community expectations and evolving funding realities are reshaping how sport is governed, planned and delivered. The Managing Sport stream at NSC26 explores how the next generation of leaders, across boards, executive teams, government, and community organisations, can future-proof sport through smarter governance, better management and more strategic investment.
As sport balances participation growth, safeguarding, workforce challenges and performance ambition, the sector must rethink how systems are designed and how decisions are made. This stream brings together global thought leaders, CEOs, policymakers and emerging voices to examine what modern sport leadership looks like, and how to build organisations that are adaptive, transparent and impact-driven.
Global Thought Leader Sessions
1. The Next Generation
Dave Adams, Head of Strategic Foresight, Sport New Zealand, will set the scene by challenging how we define and prepare the next generation of sport leaders.
This keynote is split into two panels who will explore the key aspects of leadership, employment conditions, participation, facilities design, technology impacts and how should we be communicating, to attract the younger generation,
Next Generation Voices Panel
Chaired by Abbie (HER Way Sport Media), this conversation features emerging leaders sharing perspectives on what future leadership must prioritise, how young people view sport’s role in society, and what needs to change in governance and management structures.
- Ikram Mahamed, Project Officer, CMY
- Khalid Muse, Chief Operating Officer, CALM Youth
- Mia Victorsen, 2024 YAG Alumni, Netball QLD
Industry Leaders Panel
Senior executives respond to and build on these perspectives, discussing how established organisations can evolve leadership pipelines, decision-making models and accountability frameworks.
- Elyse Jenkins, CEO, VicSport
- Alan Goh, CEO, Sport Singapore
- Raelene Castle, CEO, Sport New Zealand
2. From Movement to Medals: Building Pathways that Serve Everyone
How can everyday movement and elite sporting success reinforce each other rather than compete?
This session addresses a defining challenge for future generations: building systems that grow participation, improve health and wellbeing, and still deliver podium success. It will explore how community recreation and performance pathways can be better aligned, clarifying what “pathways” mean at different stages of development, what aspirations are realistic, and how responsibilities should be shared across sport, schools, communities, government and industry.
- Anna Peeters, CEO, VicHealth
- Andy King, Chair, GM Active (UK)
- Cathy Wong, President, FASNOC (Fiji)
3. The Next Generation – An Intergenerational Conversation
True system change requires collaboration across experience levels. This intergenerational discussion brings together established leaders and global facility and community experts to explore how experience, innovation and new thinking can coexist within sport governance and infrastructure planning.
The session will examine how to intentionally build leadership succession, strengthen capability across the system, and ensure that knowledge transfer supports long-term community and participation outcomes.
- Richard McInnes, EGM, Sport & Community Capability, Australian Sports Commission
- David Lloyd, CEO, National Heart Foundation of Australia
- Shantel Netzler, CEO, QSport
- Darryl Condon, President, The International Association of Sport and Leisure Facilities (IAKS)
Core Managing Sport Sessions
Keynote Session: The Next Generation of Governing and Managing Sport
To create change and embrace opportunity, organisational leadership, from the Board down, must create environments that facilitate innovation, accountability and bold thinking. This keynote explores how governance structures, board culture and executive leadership must evolve to remain relevant, agile and impact-driven in a rapidly changing sport landscape.
Chaired by: Junior Melo, Centre for Multicultural Youth
- Mark Rigotti, Managing Director & CEO, Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
- Matti Clements, AIS Director, Australian Sports Commission
Keynote Panel: Encouraging Future Leaders
How can the industry intentionally develop leaders across coaching, boards and emerging roles?
This keynote panel examines how sport can move beyond operational and compliance-focused governance toward impact-driven leadership models that prioritise sustainability, inclusion and measurable outcomes. Discussion will focus on succession planning, capability development and broadening leadership pathways across the sector.
As land availability tightens and community needs diversify, facility design must become smarter and more flexible. This session examines innovative multi-storey and compact-footprint models that maximise space efficiency while expanding programming potential. Discover how facilities can move beyond single-purpose sport venues to become vibrant, multi-use community destinations active throughout the day.
- Renae Domaschenz, Chair, Disability Sports Australia
- Alex Anasson, CEO, Skate Australia
- Ridmi Dolamulla, CM Sport
Workshop 1.1: How Does Sport Succeed When Its Business Model Is Disrupted?
Innovation must become standard practice rather than exception. As participation trends shift and commercial models evolve, sport organisations must rethink how they design, test and deliver new formats, products and experiences. This workshop explores how research, experimentation and structured innovation processes can unlock new opportunities and ensure sport remains relevant in a disrupted environment.
- Emma Jackson, Senior Policy Manager, Sport and Recreation Victoria
- James Ceely, Head of New Growth – Communities and Ways to Play, AFL
Workshop 1.2: Protecting Sport for The Next Generation
Creating safe, positive and trusted environments for children and young people is fundamental to sport’s long-term success. This session explores safeguarding frameworks, leadership responsibilities and practical strategies to strengthen integrity, child safety and participant wellbeing across community sport settings.
- Lisa Purves, Director, Safeguarding, Sport Integrity Australia
PolicyFEST: The Next Generation of Workforce
What is the next generation looking for as staff, volunteers and leaders?
This session examines workforce sustainability, changing motivations and expectations, and how sport organisations can attract, retain and develop talent in an increasingly competitive environment. From flexible leadership pathways to purpose-driven roles, the discussion will focus on building a workforce model that is fit for the future.
- Reuben Williams, Founder, SportsGrad
- Dr Lindsey Reece, Director Sports Programs, Australian Sports Commission
- Stuart Hodge, CEO, Sport NSW
Workshop 1.4: Future Funding – The Reality
As traditional funding models shift, sport must diversify revenue and strengthen its commercial capability. This workshop explores alternative funding streams, philanthropic and impact investment opportunities, and the practical steps organisations can take to position themselves to secure and manage new funding responsibly.
- Robert Donaghue, CEO, Squash Australia
- Ryan Holloway, Interim CEO, Australian Sports Foundation
- Izania Downie, CEO, Table Tennis New Zealand
The Managing Sport stream is essential for CEOs, board members, policymakers, national and state sporting organisations, and community leaders committed to shaping a more adaptive, inclusive and future-focused sport system, one that is led confidently into the next generation.
