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Summit Program

The Wellbeing Industry Day will bring together wellbeing and player development practitioners and leaders from across professional and high-performance sport to explore the evolving role of wellbeing in elite sport systems.

Through a series of panel discussions, applied case insights and facilitated small-group conversations, the program will provide an opportunity for practitioners and system leaders to share perspectives, reflect on current practice and consider the future direction of wellbeing across sport environments.

Key themes of the day will include:

  • Broadening practitioner understanding of diverse wellbeing systems and delivery models across elite and professional sport environments.
  • Exploring how wellbeing can be measured, evaluated and embedded as a contributor to sustainable performance.
  • Facilitating cross-industry dialogue through small-group engagement with leaders and external partners, enabling deeper insight and shared learning.
  • Examining real-world case examples from high-performance contexts to strengthen applied understanding and practical translation.
  • Identifying future opportunities, emerging risks and areas for strategic partnership that will shape the next evolution of wellbeing practice across sport systems.

Time

Session

Details

9:30am

Arrival, coffee & networking

10:00am-10:15am

Welcome & Summit Opening Acknowledgement of Country

Summit Athlete MCs

  • Laura Hingston, 10m Platform Diver - Diving Australia
  • Chad Perris, 100m T13 Sprinter - Australian Athletics

10:15am-11:15am

Measuring What Matters: Wellbeing in High Performance Sport

Embedding wellbeing as a performance enabler

  • Bianca Fermi, National Wellbeing Network Lead - Australian Institute of Sport
  • Justine Whipper, CEO - League Ahead
  • Dr Toni Minniti, Wellbeing and Engagement Lead - New Zealand HP Sport Moderated by Kable Kelleway

11:15am-12:15pm

The Evolution and Maturing of Wellbeing Practice in Elite Sport

Exploring how wellbeing practice is evolving in elite sport, focusing on capability, role clarity, and consistent, high-impact delivery.

  • Sonia Boland, National Wellbeing Manager - Australian Institute of Sport
  • Sucheta Gorolay, GM Player Development and Wellbeing - Australian Cricketers' Association
  • Pippa Temperley, Talent Wellbeing Lead - Australian Football League Moderated by Kable Kelleway

12:15pm-1:15pm

Lunch

1:15pm-2:00pm

Leading for Sustainable Success: Leadership, Culture & Athlete Voice A CEO perspective on what it means to Win Well, balancing performance, people and long-term success.

  • Nicole Livingstone, Chief Executive Officer - Victorian Institute of Sport Facilitated by Sonia Boland

2:00pm-3:00pm

Belonging, Safety & Performance

Building environments that support diverse and cultural athlete needs.

  • David Solomona, Wellbeing and Education Manager (Pasifika) - League Ahead
  • Brady Gray, Indigenous Player Development Manager - Collingwood Football Club
  • Rhian Bird, Performance Wellbeing Manager -Basketball Australia Moderated by Tanisha Williams

3:00pm-3:30pm

Afternoon tea

3:30pm-4:00pm

AFL and AFLW Player Mental Healthcare Roadmap

  • Emma Harris, National Wellbeing Manager - Australian Football League

4:00pm-5:00pm

Supporting Mental Health in the Performance Environment

Navigating boundaries, collaboration, and information sharing.

  • Nathan Price, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing - New Zealand Rugby
  • Peter Caine, Medical Services & Rehabilitation Manager - Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
  • Emma Harris, National Wellbeing Manager - Australian Football League Moderated by Kable Kelleway

5:00pm-5:10pm

Day one reflection & close

  • Laura Hingston & Chad Perris

5:10pm-7:00pm

Networking function

  • An opportunity to connect with peers over canapés and refreshments

7:00pm

End of day one

Day two of the Network Summit for Wellbeing Practitioners from the High Performance System

Time

Session

Details

8:45am

Arrival, coffee & networking

9:15am-9:30am

Day Two Opening: Reflections & Connections

  • Laura Hingston & Chad Perris

9:30am-10:30am

Winning Well on the World Stage Campaign leadership, pathways and wellbeing for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

  • Alisa Camplin, Chef de Mission - 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games
  • Ben Tudhope, Paralympic Snowboarder - Snow Australia Facilitated by Matti Clements

10:30am-11:00am

Morning tea

11:00am-12:30pm

Peer Showcases: Applied Practice & Innovation

Applied examples from across the HP system

  • Measuring Psychological Safety in HP Sport, Sami Palmer - Australian Athletics
  • Athlete Journey Mapping: Using First Nations Artwork to Connect, Shenae Keleher & Jamie McPherson - Victorian Institute of Sport

12:30pm-1:45pm

Lunch

1:45pm-3:00pm

Peer Support Program: Review & Group Connection

  • Margaret Hamley, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager - Rowing Australia
  • Lauren Soderberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer - Progressive Coaches

3:00pm-4:30pm

Wellbeing in Action: Theatre Sports Session

Exploring real-world scenarios through interactive performance

  • Think About It

4:30pm-4:45pm

Day Two Reflections

  • Chad Perris and Laura Hingston

4:45pm

End of day two

Day three of the Network Summit for Wellbeing Practitioners from the High Performance System

Time

Session

Details

8:30am

Arrival, coffee & networking

9:00am-9:15am

Day Three Opening: Reflections & Connections

  • Chad Perris & Laura Hingston

9:15am-10:30am

Mental Health Education Review and Mental Health Referral Network (MHRN) in Practice Exploring how mental health education is evolving and how the MHRN is applied in HP environments

  • Mental Health Team - Australian Institute of Sport

10:30am-11:00am

Morning tea

11:00am-12:15pm

Career Navigation in Para Sport and Beyond: Tools for Supporters

Supporting inclusive environments for staff and athletes

  • Rob Crestani, Professional Adviser - JobAccess
  • Caroline Whatts, Head of Work and Study - Headspace
  • Karen Fletcher, National Manager Work and Study Online - Headspace
  • James Phipps, State Manager - APM
  • Centre for Inclusive Employment
  • Lee Sunlay, Director Coaching Services - TwoPointZero (CPRN Career Counseller)

12:15pm-1:00pm

Lunch

1:00pm-2:30pm

Peer Showcases: Best Practice & Innovation Applied examples from across the system

  • Dogs on Deck, Linley Frame - Swimming Australia
  • Mental Health Foundations, Laurra Fettes - Table Tennis Australia
  • VIS Learning Hub, Grace Claringbold - Victorian Institute of Sport

2:30pm-2:45pm

Summit Closing: Reflections & Next Steps

Key takeaways, system priorities and practitioner commitments

  • Laura Hingston & Chad Perris

3:00pm

End of the 2026 AIS Wellbeing & Engagement Network Summit