PLAY & ADOLESCENCE
- 1-2 July 2026
- Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Play & Adolescence
In Partnership with Play Australia
Adolescence is a pivotal stage in shaping lifelong relationships with movement, recreation and sport. Yet participation often declines during teenage years as environments become more structured, pressures increase and informal play opportunities diminish. The Play & Adolescence stream explores how The Next Generation of adolescents can be better supported through inclusive play, thoughtful design and youth-informed policy.
In partnership with Play Australia, this stream brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and youth advocates to examine how play, physical activity and recreation influence adolescent development, mental health and long-term wellbeing. From national position papers and gender-inclusive environments to grassroots initiatives and reclaiming institutional space for play, sessions will focus on practical, cross-sector solutions that help young people move, connect and thrive.
The Next Generation of Adolescents Accessing Play – Keynote Session
How do play, exercise and sport participation shape adolescent health, identity and development?
This keynote explores the profound impact that accessible, meaningful play opportunities have on children and young people. As adolescence presents unique physical, emotional and social transitions, the session will examine how communities, schools and sport systems can adapt environments and programming to better support this critical life stage, ensuring young people remain engaged, active and connected.
- Robyn Monro Miller, CEO, Play Australia
The Next Generation Panel 6: What Do Young People Want?
Understanding adolescent expectations is essential to designing relevant and inclusive spaces.
This panel examines insights from youth advisory groups and engagement initiatives, asking directly: what are young people telling us about the environments and experiences they value? The discussion will explore how organisations can meaningfully embed youth voice into planning, policy and program delivery to ensure adolescent needs are reflected in real-world outcomes.
- Michelle Barry, Team Leader Child Health Promotion, Healthy Cities Australia
Workshop 6.1: National Position Paper on the Importance of Play for Adolescents
Active places, progressive policies and cross-sector collaboration are critical to shaping healthier communities and supporting The Next Generation of participants.
This workshop explores the development and implications of a national position paper focused on adolescent play. Participants will examine how planning frameworks, urban design, education systems and community partnerships can align to improve play opportunities, increase physical activity and enhance adolescent wellbeing outcomes.
- Jamie Bradnam, Director, Sporting Schools, ASC - Transitioning from playing to other roles in sport
- Sue McGill, Director, Participation Growth, ASC - Unlocking alternative ‘active’ spaces
Workshop 6.2: Have Adolescent Play Spaces Become Heavily Gendered?
In many public and school environments, boys dominate physical space while girls retreat to the margins. How did this happen and what can we do differently?
This session explores the gendered dynamics of adolescent play spaces and the practical design and programming considerations needed to create inclusive environments. Discussion will focus on maximising girls’ participation, fostering confidence and ensuring recreational spaces are welcoming and equitable for all young people.
- Dr Kelsie Prabawa-Sear, CEO, Nature Play WA Recreational Spaces – Designed for Play but Not for Teen Girls
PolicyFEST 6: Playful Impact Initiatives for Adolescents
How can grassroots interventions meaningfully support adolescents to engage in active play and improve both mental and physical health outcomes?
This session explores innovative community-based initiatives that are successfully reintroducing play into young people’s lives. Through practical case studies and applied insights, presenters will examine how play can be leveraged as a powerful tool for resilience, connection and long-term wellbeing.
- Daniel Burton, CEO, Educated by Nature
- Michelle Barry, Team Leader Child Health Promotion, Healthy Cities Australia
Workshop 6.4: Reclaiming Institutional Space for Play
What does it mean to create high schools where teenagers genuinely have time and space to play?
This workshop examines how institutional environments — particularly secondary schools — can be reimagined to embed play within daily structures. The session will explore research into adolescent behaviour, spatial design and policy reform that supports movement, social interaction and informal recreation within education settings.
- Gweneth Leigh, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Canberra
This stream is essential for planners, educators, youth organisations, sport and recreation providers, policymakers and community leaders committed to creating inclusive, youth-informed environments that support adolescent development, participation and long-term wellbeing.
