National Sports and Physical Activity Convention to mark a decade of leadership in community sport

The upcoming 2025 edition of the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention (NSC) is set mark decade as the region’s leading knowledge-sharing and networking event for community sport and recreation.

Being held on 25th and 26th June 2025, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event will once again welcome global thought leaders to support drive the future of the industry - with the theme 'Sport’s Impact on Society', recognising the power of sport to unite communities, inspire change, and address societal challenges.

NSC co-founder and Chief Executive, Martin Sheppard sees that, 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 is 10 years, it has grown into the region’s most influential platform for collaboration, ensuring sport remains a driving force for healthier, more active communities.

Emphasising the event’s enduring impact, Sheppard noted “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 10 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.”

NSC’s 2025 program will feature 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, Chief Executive 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 (Chief Executive, 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, Chief Executive of the City of Greater Dandenong, will explore how community sport can tackle social inequalities, while Professor Anna Peeters AM, Chief Executive 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 Chief Executive 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 (The Association For International Sport For All), 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.

Click here for more information on NSC 2025 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: NSC delegates (top) and NSC co-founder and Chief Executive Martin Sheppard (below).