The National Sports Convention (NSC) 2025 marks a decade as the Asia-Pacific’s leading knowledge-sharing and networking event for the community sport and recreation ecosystem, once again welcoming global thought leaders to support drive the future of the industry. This year, NSC places ‘Sport’s Impact on Society’ at the heart of its program, recognising the power of sport to unite communities, inspire change, and address societal challenges.
Since its inception, NSC has been a catalyst for industry transformation, bringing together international experts, policymakers, and sport industry leaders to shape strategies that boost participation, enhance community engagement, and create lasting social impact. Over the past ten years, it has grown into the region’s most influential platform for collaboration, ensuring sport remains a driving force for healthier, more active communities.
Martin Sheppard, CEO of the National Sports Convention, emphasised the event’s enduring impact: “For the past decade, NSC has championed the role of sport in building stronger, healthier communities. Sport has the unique ability to break down barriers, unite people across all walks of life, and drive meaningful change. As we celebrate ten years of NSC, we remain committed to equipping industry leaders with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to shape the next decade of sport’s impact on society.”
On June 25 – 26, 2025, the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre will host a world-class program featuring international pioneers in sport, health, and community engagement, all committed to exploring the profound impact of sport on society.
Global Expertise Driving Change
At the heart of NSC 2025 is an outstanding lineup of international speakers sharing ground-breaking insights and strategies. The NSC Oration will explore how Greater Manchester Moving has successfully united local government, health, and community organisations to foster more active cities and improve public health outcomes. Hayley Lever, CEO of Greater Manchester Moving, will highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration and regional strategy alignment in increasing participation.
This will be followed by a compelling panel discussion on “Uniting the Movement – National Policy, Regional Strategy, and Local Delivery,” featuring Hayley Lever, Naomi Shearon (Strategy Lead, Sport England), and John Oxley (CEO, Life Leisure UK). Together, they will provide invaluable insights into how national strategies translate into regional action and community impact, with a particular focus on the role of community leisure facilities in driving engagement and participation.
A decade of NSC leadership has demonstrated the power of sport to impact society, and this year’s Global Thought Leader Sessions will showcase this influence at every level. Naomi Shearon, Strategy Lead at Sport England, will discuss the ten-year vision behind “Uniting the Movement,” a national strategy that integrates sport into social change. Jacqui Weatherill, CEO of the City of Greater Dandenong, will explore how community sport can tackle social inequalities, while Professor Anna Peeters AM, CEO of VicHealth, will emphasise the critical role of movement in boosting participation.
Building on this, the session on Global Approaches to Sports Participation & Social Impact will bring together industry leaders to discuss innovative frameworks for engaging more people in physical activity. Hayley Lever will share insights from the UK’s most successful community collaboration initiative, and Professor Larissa Davies of Manchester Metropolitan University will unveil a global consensus on measuring sport’s social impact, ensuring future investments are informed by robust evidence.
The evolving role of sport in driving community engagement will take centre stage in the Industry Leadership session, where Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland will highlight golf’s unprecedented growth and the power of consumer insights in shaping future participation trends. His discussion will provide a compelling case for how sport can adapt to evolving community needs while enhancing long-term engagement and sustainability.
A Decade of Impact and Innovation
NSC 2025 will also host pivotal Impact Keynote Sessions addressing critical industry challenges. Jean-Francois Laurent, Secretary General of TAFISA, will introduce a global framework for increasing physical activity participation through place-based strategies, ensuring communities are engaged and connected through sport. Additionally, a dedicated session on Environmental Sustainability for Leisure Facilities will explore the industry’s response to climate change. Experts including Nick Alsop (GBCA), Mark Bates (HDT Ltd NZ), and Nick Yannakis (BECA) will discuss how sustainable facility design and engineering can create more resilient, active communities.
For ten years, the National Sports Convention has led the charge in uniting sport, government, health, and community sectors to build a more active, inclusive, and sustainable future. As NSC 2025 approaches, it reaffirms its commitment to shaping the next decade of industry progress through the power of sport.
Join us in Melbourne and be part of the movement that continues to redefine the future of sport.
Tickets available now! Visit National Sports Convention for more information.
Editor’s Notes
The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) has grown since 2016 as APAC’s largest and most prominent community sport and recreation convention and expo. In 2024, it had overwhelming support and participation from the largest ever gathering of the sports and physical activity ecosystem with over 1,550 attendees and a sold-out Expo of 80+ of the latest products, services and innovations. The organisers work with its 40+ collaborators to curate a program with international and Australian experts, providing the most comprehensive program on community sport recreation and sports facilities in Australia.
Photos from the NSC can be found at www.nationalsportsconvention.com.au
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Further information contact Anthony Reed, at anthonyr@smartconnection.net.au or (03) 9421 0133.
