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Melbourne, 26 June 2025 — The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. These awards recognize outstanding initiatives that have significantly contributed to increasing physical activity and promoting inclusivity across Australia.

The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention is again host of the Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards. The purpose of these awards is to recognise individuals, government, not-for-profits, the commercial sector, play sector, recreation and sports for their innovations to get more people active in the community.

With the largest ever number of submissions this year, the standards have been exceptionally high, and short-listing was very hard. Congratulations to all those who submitted as they showcase the excellent work that is being invested in communities across Australia. Award winners will be announced as part of the 2025 NSC Oration on the 25^th June at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre.

The award categories are:

A growing body of research and a wave of innovative educational programs across Australia are highlighting the transformative role that sport plays in the development of children. From improving mental and physical health to driving academic performance and resilience, school sport is being recognised as a cornerstone of holistic education.

A major longitudinal study from the University of Sydney, which followed more than 4,000 children from ages four to thirteen, revealed that students who consistently participated in sport recorded lower absenteeism, improved memory and concentration, and stronger academic performance. These students were also significantly more likely to go on to tertiary education. Supporting these findings, the University of Queensland’s research demonstrated that early involvement in sport correlates strongly with improved long-term mental health outcomes in adolescents. Adding to this growing body of evidence, the Journal of Adolescent Health recently confirmed that participation in youth sport is associated with both enhanced physical health and improved psychological wellbeing.

Across Australia, schools are translating these findings into action through inclusive and forward-thinking programs. Since its inception, the Australian Sports Commission’s Sporting Schools initiative has delivered more than 10 million sporting experiences across over 8,000 schools, making structured sport more accessible to students of all backgrounds. At Gilgandra High School in New South Wales, an initiative aimed at supporting female students during puberty through the provision of professionally fitted sports bras led to a 20% rise in participation. This simple yet impactful intervention demonstrated the importance of addressing real-world barriers to inclusion. Meanwhile, the national enthusiasm following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – often dubbed the “Matildas effect” – has sparked a dramatic rise in female enrolment at Sydney’s specialist sports schools, with some reporting a 50% increase in participation among girls.

In response to this momentum, the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) is again hosting a dedicated conference stream – Sport in Schools & Education – to delve deeper into how sport can be more effectively integrated within the education sector. The stream aims to explore policy, funding, innovation, and practical implementation to ensure sport delivers real impact for students and educators alike.

Martin Sheppard, CEO of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, emphasised the significance of this focus, stating, “We know that school sport is more than just play – it is one of the most powerful interventions to support mental health, reduce inequity, and prepare our young people to thrive. This year’s NSC stream goes beyond theory and brings together real examples, leaders, and strategies that are already making a difference in schools across Australia and New Zealand.”

The Sport in Schools and Education stream will open with Impact Keynote: Alternative Funding Strategies for Sport, chaired by Tracey Holmes. This session will explore new financial models to support school sport, including the strategic value of event-based partnerships presented by Glenn Hardy of IER Consulting and philanthropic opportunities discussed by Sue Hunt, CEO of the Australian Sports Foundation. The session concludes with a high-level panel featuring leaders from Deloitte, Wyndham City, and the Richmond Football Club Foundation, examining how alternative funding models are shaping the future of sport in education.

Following this, Workshop 7.1 will look at creating healthier school and university environments, co-chaired by Jamie Parsons, CEO of School Sport Victoria. Speakers including Martin Doulton of FISU and Glenn McGovern of Sport New Zealand will share insights into how campuses and school-community partnerships are promoting active design and inclusive movement strategies that support student wellbeing.

In Case Study Workshop 7.2, educators and school leaders will explore how to create meaningful connections between schools, sports providers, and community organisations to drive positive health and educational outcomes. This session features practical insights from Andrew Farmer of St Andrews Christian College and Gina Oliver of Iona College Geelong, both of whom have successfully led programs that use sport to change lives.

The dynamic PitchFEST session will give innovators the stage to present new ideas to a panel of students, highlighting solutions that encourage participation both within and outside the curriculum. Presenters include Simon Lloyd of Phillips Coaching, Jenelle Williamson from AFL, Tom Clark from Pitch UP, and Nikki Little from Overnewton College, each showcasing creative tools for growing school sport engagement.

Rounding out the stream is Challenge & Solutions session, a collaborative session focused on embedding sport as a tool to improve educational outcomes, particularly for vulnerable students. Julie McNeal from Aspire Community will explore how sport empowers Indigenous youth, while Andrew Comley of School Sport Victoria and Jodie Spedding of Active Education Australia will share how sport supports student leadership, engagement, and lifelong learning.

As Australia continues to embrace the potential of sport in education, initiatives like NSC’s Sport in Schools and Education stream ensure that knowledge-sharing and collaboration remain central to this progress. With a focus on inclusion, innovation, and practical action, the convention underscores the critical role sport plays in preparing the next generation for success — inside and outside the classroom.

For more information on the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention and the full program for the Sport in Schools & Education stream, please visit www.nationalsportsconvention.com.au.

Australia’s community sports sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and sports technology. These innovations are reshaping how community and school sports operate, engage communities, and create more inclusive, efficient, and dynamic sporting environments across the country.

Martin Sheppard, CEO of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, emphasised the scale of this shift: “We’re witnessing a game-changing moment where technology is not just supporting sport – it’s redefining it. From grassroots to schools, digital solutions are enabling smarter operations, deeper engagement, and more inclusive environments. At this year’s Convention, we’re bringing together the pioneers of this transformation to ensure every club, school, and community can benefit.”

According to the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), the sports tech industry in Australia has grown into a mature and sophisticated sector worth $4.69 billion, with over 765 active companies. This growth signifies a nationwide commitment to using innovation as a means to overcome challenges, improve operations, and expand opportunities in community sports.

Leading this shift is the AI, Digital & Sports Tech stream at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) 2025, taking place in Melbourne on June 25–26. This dedicated stream will highlight how new technologies ranging from AI-driven data analytics to mobile apps and immersive virtual experiences are transforming local sport. Community clubs and school-based programs now have access to high-definition cameras, live streaming capabilities, and interactive platforms that were once exclusive to elite professional sports, enabling them to broadcast matches, attract new participants, and deepen engagement in cost-effective ways.

Across the country, several Australian initiatives are showcasing the impact of these innovations in real time. Rowing Australia has launched the Row Nation app, a digital indoor rowing platform that expands access to the sport while diversifying revenue streams. This will be showcased in the NSC Expo for the industry to experience first-hand. In Queensland, researchers at Griffith University, working alongside Brisbane-based company VALD, have developed a predictive test that can identify athletes at high risk of ACL injuries within 10 minutes – enabling local coaches to implement personalised, preventative training programs. Meanwhile, forward-thinking digital solutions such as Forward Pivot’s “digital facilities” concept are allowing community organisations to deliver a range of services virtually, from skill development and online training to community engagement, helping to eliminate waiting lists and increase participation.

Another example is revolutioniseSPORT, which has become a vital platform for more than 230 peak sporting bodies and 17,000 clubs across Australia. It provides an all-in-one digital ecosystem for managing memberships, competition schedules, governance, and communications – empowering small, volunteer-run clubs to operate with the same professionalism and efficiency as national sporting organisations.

TidyHQ is also simplifying the day-to-day operations of community sport by significantly reducing the administrative burden on volunteers. From streamlining membership management, event coordination, and financial tracking to improving meeting transparency and volunteer engagement, the platform is helping clubs run more effectively.

On the field, Veo’s AI-powered camera technology is revolutionising how matches are captured, analysed, and shared – even for junior or local teams. Come and see this also at the NSC Expo.

NSC’s AI, Digital & Sports Tech stream will also spotlight some of the most forward-thinking ideas and leaders shaping the future of sport. In the Impact Keynote session “Embracing Technology to Impact Sport”, Dawid Naude, CEO of Pathfindr.ai, and Andrew Walton, Managing Director of Sports Tech World Series, will explore how AI and machine learning are empowering clubs to optimise operations and enhance member experiences. Following this, the “Embracing AI to Be More Inclusive” panel will examine how global commercial technologies are being adapted for grassroots impact, featuring insights from Martin Schlegel (ASTN), Yasmin London (Qoria), and digital transformation expert Brent Richardson (Enrichd Group).

Workshops will provide hands-on guidance, including a session on data-driven growth strategies led by Alex Mednis, CEO of revolutioniseSPORT, who will explore how better data understanding can drive participation and fan engagement. Brent Richardson will further expand on how platforms like ImpactIQ are turning data into measurable outcomes that benefit not just individual teams but whole communities.

Real-world case studies will be shared by Leanne Bats of Sport Waikato and James Ellender from AFL NSW and QLD, who will present on innovative digital strategies that have successfully boosted grassroots engagement. In PitchFEST, experts like Brett Gillet of ClubDucks and Vickie Saunders of The Brand Builders will discuss how to make tech solutions more accessible to clubs and athletes, enabling better revenue generation, sponsorship management, and fan interaction.

Rounding out the stream is a forward-looking session chaired by Isaak Dury, CEO of TidyHQ, which will identify the top tech opportunities for 2025. In this session, Alison Lyons of Hockey Queensland and Jodie Harlow of Basketball Victoria will present practical solutions for improving communications and ensuring inclusivity for people with disabilities—demonstrating how community sport can benefit everyone when technology is embraced with purpose.

These advancements reflect a pivotal shift in Australia’s approach to community sport, where embracing AI, digital tools, and innovative sports tech is no longer a luxury but a strategic imperative. It is clear that these technologies are not just enhancing performance—they are building more connected, efficient, and inclusive sporting communities for all Australians.

This year’s NSC Expo will host the largest showcase of AI, digital, and sports tech solutions ever assembled for the community sports sector in Australia. From performance analytics and fan engagement tools to volunteer support platforms and athlete education systems, over a dozen innovative organisations will be on-site to demonstrate how their technologies can solve real-world challenges.

Exhibitors in this sector include:
• PlayerFan.TV
• eSafety Commissioner
• etrainu
• The Athlete Brand Builders
• Xplor Technologies
• SportsGRID by revolutioniseSPORT
• Row Nation
• CoachMate
• Clubland Australia
• Tiny Mobile Robots
• Veo Technologies
• 360Player

All offering practical solutions to help clubs, schools, and associations operate smarter, engage participants more deeply, and create safer, more inclusive environments. Whether you’re looking to enhance governance, simplify admin, improve coaching, or grow your club’s digital presence, the Expo provides a hands-on opportunity to connect directly with the innovators shaping the future of grassroots sport.

For more information on the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention and the AI, Digital & Sports Tech conference stream, visit nationalsportsconvention.com.au.

As urban density increases across Australia, the sports and recreation sector is embracing cutting-edge innovations in synthetic, natural, acrylic and hybrid sports surfaces to meet the growing demand for active spaces while addressing environmental and health concerns.

The upcoming National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC25), scheduled for 25–26 June 2025 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, will spotlight these advancements. The “Sports Surfaces” conference stream will discuss their role in shaping active urban environments, delving into how surface technologies are transforming public spaces into vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable areas that encourage physical activity, community engagement and positive social impact.

Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSSA) will once again partner with the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) in 2025, continuing a shared commitment to advancing leadership and collaboration across the sport, aquatics, and leisure sectors. This renewed collaborative effort reflects both organisations’ dedication to shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking industry.

At the heart of RLSSA’s involvement again this year’s convention is the curation of a specialised program stream, designed to address the future of aquatic and leisure facility management. The stream will explore critical topics such as social value reporting, sustainable investment in community infrastructure, and the development of strategies to support the workforce as it navigates increasingly complex community issues. The program will also consider aquatic facilities can play a stronger role in enhancing community well-being and cohesion through inclusive evidence-based inclusive practices.

Martin Sheppard, Chief Executive of the NSC, welcomed the renewed partnership. He noted the ongoing value that RLSSA brings to the national conversation, saying, “We are thrilled to again partner with Royal Life Saving Australia, whose ongoing thought leadership continues to elevate the value and impact of aquatic and leisure facilities in communities across the country.”

RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry at Royal Life Saving, reinforced collaborative solutions to address the sector’s opportunities and challenges.

“We are really pleased to partner formally for the second time into this fantastic event and hope to play our part in facilitating an entertaining and thought-provoking program that engages senior leaders in making aquatic facilities more accessible, viable, and sustainable,” said Mr Houston.

Melbourne, Australia – In a landmark collaboration coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the National Sports Convention (NSC), the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has, for the first time, partnered with the event to develop the Participation Stream of the conference. Under the banner of “Play Well – Australia’s Sport Participation Strategy,” this dedicated stream will showcase the sector’s united commitment to ensuring that everyone has a place in sport.

As Australia’s national sport participation strategy, Play Well has been developed to create great sporting environments and experiences, where individuals of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities can come together to access the benefits of sport. The partnership between NSC and ASC underscores a shared commitment to building a more active nation by aligning key stakeholders and delivering industry-leading insights on how to implement the Play Well vision effectively.

Martin Sheppard, CEO of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, expressed the significance of this collaboration: “For the past decade, NSC has been at the forefront of driving innovation and thought leadership in sport and physical activity. Partnering with the Australian Sports Commission for the Play Well stream is an exciting milestone, ensuring that participation remains at the heart of our industry’s future. Together, we are creating a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful change.”

The Play Well stream at NSC 2025 will provide a series of impactful sessions featuring key thought leaders and industry experts. The Impact Keynote Session, chaired by renowned sports journalist Tracey Holmes, will explore the Implementation Plan for Play Well, reflecting on its progress through Year 1 and outlining strategic priorities for the year ahead. Cameron French, General Manager for Participation at the ASC, will present an in-depth evaluation of Play Well’s first year. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Stuart Hodge, CEO of Sport NSW and Molina Asthana, Chair of Gymnastics Victoria and Play Well Leadership Group Member.

A crucial component of the Play Well stream is the “Year 2 Play Well Implementation Activities Workshop”, which delves into the implementation activities planned for Year 2. Jamie Bradnam, Director of Sporting Schools at the ASC, will discuss the wholistic approach to sport participation through Physical Literacy, while Sue McGill, Director of Participation Growth at the ASC, will explore how unlocking alternative active spaces can expand participation opportunities.

The Case Study Workshop: What is the Value of Sport will assess sports impact on individuals and communities. Lindsey Reece, Director of Sports Programs at the ASC, will chair this session, guiding discussions from leading experts including Professor Larissa Davies of Manchester Metropolitan University, who will present research on the affordability of sport, and Rochelle Eime, Director of Physical Activity and Sport Insights and Deputy Chair of Vicsport, who will provide insights into measuring the broader social and economic value of sport.

Innovation and collaboration take centre stage in the Play Well PitchFEST Workshop, designed to explore how to build positive environments in sport. Chaired by Matt Rippon, Senior Advisor for Participation Growth at the ASC, this session will feature pioneering solutions presented by Professor John Cairney from the University of Queensland, Alexis Cooper from Sport Integrity Australia and Adam Cassidy and Steve Marquis from the ASC.

The Play Well stream will conclude with the Challenge and Solutions Session, focusing on sector-wide collaboration to advance the sports industry, strengthen workforce capabilities, and develop innovative operating models. Led by Heidi Auricht-Doyle, Play Well Implementation Lead at the ASC, the session will feature insights from Adam Bishop, General Manager of Growth and Development at Australian Athletics, Shaun McEachin, National Lead for Sport Development at Squash Australia, and Female Engagement Manager at Golf Australia Megan Carr.

Mr French reinforced the importance of this initiative: “The Play Well Strategy is about making sport more inclusive and accessible for every Australian. Our partnership with NSC 2025 allows us to bring key stakeholders together to drive real change and implement solutions that will ensure sport remains an essential part of our communities. We are excited to share our progress and shape the future of sport participation.”

The partnership between NSC and the ASC marks a significant milestone in advancing participation strategies across Australia. By embedding Play Well into the Participation Stream, NSC 2025 will serve as a powerful platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and action to drive long-term growth in sport participation.

Join us at NSC 2025 as we celebrate a decade of innovation and work towards a more inclusive and active future for Australian sport.

For more information and ticket details, visit National Sports Convention.

As communities evolve and demand for accessible, inclusive, and sustainable sport and leisure facilities grows, the industry faces a defining moment. How can we design future-proofed community spaces that not only meet today’s needs but also support the changing landscape of sport participation? With rising environmental concerns, shifting community demographics, and the need for commercially viable solutions, the challenges in sport facility design are greater than ever. There is no better place to tackle these challenges head-on than at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) 2025, where global and local leaders will share groundbreaking insights, innovative strategies, and future-focused solutions.

The Australian sports industry is transforming, driven by advancements in digital technology, the needs of participants, and rising societal expectations. These factors are reshaping the way sports are managed and delivered across the nation.  At a time when collaboration, innovation, and adaptability are critical, the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) 2025 will bring together local and international leaders to share insights, strategies, and solutions to help the industry navigate challenges and unlock opportunities.

With an agenda designed for sport to make its stance in society, its capacity to drive positive change, and the strategies needed to ensure long-term sustainability, NSC 2025 will serve as a vital platform for sports leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to learn, connect, and evolve.

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.