The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) has partnered with the International Association for Sport and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) to bring world-leading thinking on the future of community sport, leisure and aquatic infrastructure to Australia this July.
Taking place in Melbourne on 1–2 July, NSC26 will connect global best practice with real-world Australian and New Zealand case studies, giving local government, planners, architects and facility operators direct access to the ideas shaping the next generation of community infrastructure.
As communities evolve, so too must the spaces that support them. This year’s Community Sport & Leisure Facilities Stream, in partnership with IAKS, will explore how sport and leisure facilities can be designed, funded and managed to deliver long-term participation, health and social outcomes – not just today, but for decades to come.
The program opens with a keynote session featuring Darryl Condon, President of IAKS, and Matt Body, Chair of IAKS ANZ, who will examine the Next Generation of Sustainable Leisure Facilities. They will be joined by international and local experts including Taio Waldhaus (Principal, AME Group, Canada), Sarah Slattery (AJC Architects), and Sue McGill (Australian Sports Commission), who will share insights from the National Community Sports Facilities Plan.
Across the two days, the program moves beyond theory into practical delivery, with sessions focused on:
- Planning and future-proofing facilities for generations to come
- Innovative design to create flexible, multi-use community spaces
- New procurement and delivery models to maximise impact
- Extending the life of existing facilities through wellbeing-led solutions
International perspectives are a key feature, with speakers including David Mahon (Warren and Mahoney, New Zealand), Shane Brodie (Sport Waikato, New Zealand), Andy King (Chair, GM Active, UK) and Thorsten Muck (Global Director, Fluidra Commercial, Spain), ensuring global insights are grounded in local relevance.
This dedicated stream forms part of the broader NSC program, built around the theme “The Next Generation”, and will attract architects, consultants, engineers, council leaders and facility managers from across the region.
Martin Sheppard, CEO of NSC, said the partnership reflects a shared ambition to elevate the role of infrastructure in driving participation and community wellbeing.
“Our partnership with IAKS is strongly aligned in purpose – to create environments that enable more people to be active, more often. Bringing global expertise together with local experience creates a powerful platform to challenge conventional thinking and accelerate better outcomes for communities.”
Matt Body, Chair of IAKS ANZ, added:
“This collaboration ensures Australia and New Zealand are not only learning from global best practice, but actively contributing to it. The conversations at NSC will help shape how we design and deliver facilities that remain relevant, inclusive and impactful well into the future.”
Editor’s Notes
The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) has grown since 2016 as Australia/New Zealand’s largest and most prominent community sport and recreation convention and expo. This year the NSC returns to Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre on 1 – 2 July 2026. The organisers working, with its 50+ collaborators, to curate a program with international and Australian experts, providing the most comprehensive program on community sport recreation and sports facilities in Australia. The event also features the largest sports and recreation Expo with 80+ Exhibitors and 7 Activation Areas for the ultimate industry playground for industry professionals.
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.