Day 1 - Tuesday 18 March
Spotlight session: Introduction and Welcome – Kieren Perkins (Australian Sports Commission CEO) 9-9.20am
The ASC welcomes all attendees to the 2025 Coaching and Officiating Conference. We look forward to learning with you over the next three days.
Spotlight session: Welcome to country – Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation – 9.20-9.40am
We thank the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation for welcoming us to the beautiful lands of Wadawurrung Country.
Keynote: Connection to place to connect to others – Jess Skinner – 9.40-10.40am
Jess is a proud Barkindji and Ngāpuhi woman, who made history in 2024 as the first female Head Coach of the Women’s Indigenous All Stars team and the Australian Prime Ministers Women’s National Team. With over a decade of experience in rugby league, including coaching the Jillaroos to victory in the 2022 World Cup, Jess is passionate about promoting her culture and creating pathways for underrepresented groups in sport. We look forward to Jess' insights on the topic of 'Connection to place'.
The Journey of the Modern Approach – Kieren Perkins and the ASC Coaching and Officiating Team– 10.40-11.40am
Kieren Perkins, Australian Sports Commission CEO and the ASC Coaching and Officiating Team, will explore the role and broad impact of the Modern Approach to Coaching and Officiating since its launch in 2022. This session will be speaker led with an opportunity for questions.
Modern Coaching in Practice – Australian Sailing – 11-11.40am
Australian Sailing will facilitate an interactive workshop to support attendees to implement modern development practices with a focus on shifting behaviour of coaches in community sport. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on problem solving and collaboration.
Supporting the volunteer coach and official – ASC Sport Programs – 11-11.40am
The ASC Sport Programs team will facilitate an interactive workshop to support attendees to consider specific implications and requirements relevant to the experience of coaches and officials in volunteering positions. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on problem solving and collaboration.
Giving officials license to use the Modern Approach – Rugby Australia - 11-12pm
Rugby Australia will explore opportunities to broaden both our perception of the role of officials and the practical role of officials in community sport, emphasising the impact officials can have on participant experiences when the Modern Approach is embedded. This session will be speaker led with an opportunity for group discussion and questions, with an emphasis on challenging mindsets, reinforcing learning and collaboration.
Walk and Talk: Helping officials make decisions under pressure – ASC Coaching and Officiating – 11.40-12.20pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team will lead a guided light walk around the grounds GMHBA Stadium to consider and reflect on the topic of “Helping officials make decisions under pressure”. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on discussion and reflection.
Supporting positive experiences for officials with a disability - Kate Jenian, Desiree Jones and AIS Para Unit - 11.40-12.20pm
Kate Jenian and Desiree Jones, experienced match officials, will be supported by the AIS Para Unit to explore how organisations and individuals can create environments where officials with a disability thrive. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on collaboration, discussion and story telling.
Holistic approach to coaching and officiating in game development – Softball Australia – 11.40-12.40pm
Softball Australia will share their insights and lead an interactive workshop to support attendees to consider the role of coaches and officials in the context of broader game and sport objectives. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on problem solving and collaboration.
Influence of culture on participant experience - ASC Coaching and Officiating - 12.20-1pm
Coaches and officials have significant influence over culture within community sport. The ASC Coaching and Officiating team will facilitate a session to explore the impact of culture on participant experiences. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on discussion, storytelling and collaboration.
Officiating people with a disability – Tennis Australia – 12.20-1pm
Tennis Australia will facilitate an interactive workshop for attendees to consider support requirements for officials working with people with a disability. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on storytelling and collaboration.
Building mentoring capability – ASC Coaching and Officiating, Australian Athletics– 12.20-1.40pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team and Australian Athletics will explore the impact of effective mentoring capability within the workforce, exploring the function of mentoring and support required. This session will include both presentation and workshop elements, with an emphasis on building understanding, reinforcing learning and collaboration.
We welcome our sponsor, Coach Mate, who will deliver a short presentation during this session.
Who is leading? Clarifying roles and responsibilities in embedding the Modern Approach – ASC Coaching and Officiating – 12.40-1.40pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team will lead a panel discussion with representatives from across sport to explore how connectivity and clarity across the sporting system support sports in embedding the Modern Approach. This session will be speaker led with an emphasis on exploring diverse perspectives and reflection.
We welcome our sponsor, etrainu, who will deliver a short presentation at the start of this session.
Influencing for impact – ASC Leadership and Professionalism – 12.40-1.40pm
The ASC Leadership and Professionalism team will facilitate an interactive workshop to explore and develop strategies to influence others in adopting change through developing a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and requirements. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on skill development and collaboration.
Creating a culture of safeguarding – Sport Integrity Australia – 1-1.40pm
Sport Integrity Australia will facilitate an interactive workshop to support attendees to consider and develop strategies to influence the workforce to embed safeguarding practices through intrinsic value. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on collaboration and problem-solving.
In-situ learning and mentoring in practice – Greg Hunt and Alex Lascu – 1-1.40pm
Greg Hunt, WA Cricket Project Officer and Alex Lascu, WA Cricket Learning and Capability specialist, will facilitate an interactive session to reflect on their experiences leading the implementation of in-situ mentoring for coaches and consider the key behaviours and traits needed for those mentoring others. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with a focus on collaboration, reflection and problem-solving.
Finding clues in constraints: Multicultural and migrant women in coaching – Stephen O’Grady – 1.20-2pm
Stephen O’Grady, Queensland Coordinator of Welcoming Clubs, will facilitate an interactive session to support attendees to consider and reflect on the experiences of multicultural and migrant women in coaching positions and the role inclusive development practices has in recruitment and retention. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with a focus on building understanding, reflection and collaboration.
Supporting the new coach and official – Dave Reynolds – 1.40-2.20pm
Dave Reynolds, State Coaching Manager at SANFL, will facilitate an interactive workshop to support attendees to consider the specific requirements needed for coaches and officials who are new to their role. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on collaboration and problem solving.
Round table conversations: Helping more people enjoy sport – Rikki Lindsay, Lauren Robinson and Tess Healy – 1.40-2.40pm
Researchers will explore current research and insights with an emphasis on enhancing experiences of people in sport. Topics for discussion include mental-health help seeking behaviours in Australian sports officials, understanding intrapersonal expertise in sport coaches and including autistic people in sport and physical activity. This session will be facilitator led with an emphasis on building understanding and group discussion.
Referee as game maker – Scott Russell – 1.40-2.20pm
Scott Russell, Adjunct Lecturer at QUT, will explore the role of officials as more than that of a rule enforcer. This session will be speaker led with an opportunity for questions. This session will have an emphasis on broadening perspectives, challenging thinking and building understanding.
Round table conversations: Engaging learning for the workforce – Netball Australia, Gymnastics Australia, Swimming Australia – 2-3pm
Leaders will explore development and implementation of bespoke and tailored learning practices with an emphasis on engaging learning facilitation. Topics include developing purposeful online learning experiences, developing problem solving capacity in coaches and officials and operationalising engaging blended learning. This session will be facilitator led with an emphasis on building understanding and group discussion.
Modern Approach to assessment practices – ASC Coaching and Officiating, Squash Australia, Pony Club Australia and Gene Schembri – 2-3pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team, Squash Australia, Pony Club Australia and Gene Schembri, learning consultant, will explore the role of assessment, considering the role of both assessment of learning and assessment for learning. This session will include both presentation and workshop elements, with an emphasis on building understanding, reinforcing learning and collaboration.
Fail fast, learn faster: Lessons and opportunities in adoption of the Modern Approach – ASC Coaching and Officiating team – 2.20-3pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team will a workshop to explore challenges faced, road-blocks overcome and opportunities seized in adopting the Modern Approach to Coaching and Officiating. This session will be participant led and facilitator guided with an emphasis on collaboration, connection and problem solving.
Understanding disconnection: Barriers to working collaboratively – Richard McInnes – 2.20-3.20pm
Richard McInnes, ASC Executive General Manager of Sport and Community Capability, will facilitate an interactive workshop to explore and develop strategies for collaborative ways of working, particularly within and between organisations. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on problem solving, skill development and collaboration.
Embedding reflection in practice – Volleyball Australia – 2.40-3.20pm
Volleyball Australia will facilitate an interactive workshop to consider how organisations can embed reflection in practice for coaches and officials. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with a focus on collaboration, storytelling and problem solving.
Yarning Circle: What is an engaging learning environment? – ASC Coaching and Officiating – 2.40-3.40pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team will facilitate a yarning circle around the grounds of Kardinia Park, “Kardinia” is derived from a word in the local Wadawrrung language that means ‘morning’ or ‘new beginning’. This session will explore what makes an engaging learning environment. This session will be facilitator guided and attendee led with an emphasis on story telling and reflection.
Keynote: Embracing diversity – Danielle Laidley – 3.40-4.40pm
Danielle Laidley, a former AFL premiership player and senior coach, now advocates for transgender awareness and diversity. Her journey from AFL stardom to becoming a leading voice for inclusion is a powerful testament to resilience, authenticity and the importance of acceptance. Danielle will share her story and insights on fostering diverse and inclusive communities.
Spotlight session: Day 1 Summary – ASC Coaching and Officiating - 4.40-5pm
The ASC Coaching and Officiating team thank all attendees for their engagement and contributions on Day 1. We reflect on topics discussed and key learnings from todays conference program.