2023 National Sports and Physical Activity Convention to present a ‘new frontier’

Australia’s pre-eminent event for recreation and community sport, the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention, has today released the dates and objectives for its 2023 edition - with a program delivering 35 sessions across six streams, backed by innovation tours and co-located with three sector conferences and an exhibition.

Returning to Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 27th and 28th July 2023, the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention (NSC) will present a line-up of national and international speakers from the sport, recreation, play, fitness, health, wellness and government sectors, under the theme ‘A New Frontier’.

NSC 2023 Organiser and co-founder, Martin Sheppard says the program will tackle the big issues directly impacting community sport and recreation facilities, participation, planning for active cities, sustainable and innovative sports grounds, the future of community sport, play and recreation.

Sheppard explained “we are excited to launch NSC23 ready to address the industry’s most significant issues with in-depth discussions including global and national thought leaders.

“We have partnered with 30+ peak bodies to curate an exciting program and have introduced new options for delegates this year, including Co-located conferences, Forums, and Roundtable Workshops and an even larger Expo showcasing the latest solutions and suppliers.”

The Expo aims to connect the ecosystem and provide a unique avenue for business connections. The Expo will display industry leading brands, products and services for industry professionals looking to innovate and enhance their facilities, improve organisation performance and solve current challenges.

ANZ’s largest networking and knowledge sharing event will explore key industry issues within each of the streams Keynote Sessions, including:

• Is There a Future for Sport in this Climate? - Climate Change Impacts on Sport, Major Events and Community Participation with Claire Poole, founder and Chief Executive of Sport Positive in conjunction with the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) 
• A New Frontier for Our Industry - Connecting the dots between health, participation and global mega-events with Professor Alfonso Jimenez, Chair, Europe Active, Think Tank
• Community Leisure and Sports Facilities - Next Gen Design - Exploring how to push the boundaries, take risks and go beyond what’s expected to improve the lives of the communities through the planning, design and construction of community leisure and sports facilities for the next generation of thinking. In conjunction with the International Association for Sport and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) - Darryl Condon, Managing Principal at hcma; Klaus Meinel, Secretary General at IAKS and Brett Diprose, Associate Principal at Warren and Mahoney
• Growing Participation & Sports - The $10m Dollar Question - Australia’s three largest participation activities of running, cycling and swimming is embraced by 10 million participants, but their involvement in the various physical activities doesn’t always translate into greater sports membership and does this matter? Is there an opportunity for the next decade to connect sport, exercise participation and active communities. Nicole Adamson, Executive General Manager - Participation at AusCycling, Adam Bishop, General Manager - Growth and Development at Athletics Australia and Kirin Lindop, Executive General Manager at Swimming Australia.
• Active Cities Planning for More Active Environments and Communities - Professor Robert Copeland, Sheffield Hallam University
• The need for a National Play Agenda - The importance of embedding play as a key driver of health, embracing health promotion practice (early intervention) to subsequently improve physical activity/recreation/sport outcomes for children now and later in life. Appreciating that the importance of play to grow children’s propensity toward risk-taking, thus leading to increased Physical Activity outcomes and the traits of skilled sports people. Exploring the collaborative opportunity for Play in developing curious, healthier and brighter children ready to become adults.
• Sustainable & Innovative Sports Grounds - The biggest change in a generation around designs, centres of excellence, multi-sport complexes and surfaces
• The Future of Sport - Finance, Legacy and Reality, what does it all mean

The Co-located conferences currently include, with more expected to be announced in early 2023:

- Sports Environment Alliance National Conference
- Australian Sports Technology Network Conference
- Disability Sports Australia Conference

Sheppard added “it is expected that the NSC will bounce back this year post-COVID and as part of the launch an early bird rate has if offered with best rates for the industry for those that register before the start of 2023.”

The NSC has grown since 2016 as Australia/New Zealand’s largest and most prominent community sport and recreation convention.

Click here for more information on the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention via the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Lower image: Martin Sheppard.