Blending sport with education (ED1)
How can young athletes can get the most out of sport and education? Explores different school systems, relationships between school sport and sporting organisations and how to get the most out of school years. Includes tips for parents on how to communicate with schools and identify flexible education options.

Presenters:

Ross Morrison – Assistant Manager, NSW Department of Education and Training, School Sport Unit.

Justine Whipper – NSW Institute of Sport, Athlete Career and Education Consultant.

Growth and development – What’s right and when? (SC1)
What should a coach expect from and know about a young athlete? Understanding how gender differences, age, size and weight affect the training of young athletes.

Presenters:

Chava Sobrino – NSW Institute of Sport, Head Coach – Diving/ Olympic Gold Medal winning Coach.

Damien O‘Meara – NSW Institute of Sport , Senior Sport Scientist (Biomechanics).

Strengthening your athlete pathways (SM1)
Outlines the theory and practice behind effective athlete pathways. What resources are available to strengthen your sports’ pathway?

Presenters:

Mia Jenkins – Manager, Industry Support, NSW Sport and Recreation.

Carolyn Campbell – General Manager, Netball NSW/ General Manager, NSW Swifts.

‘Scholarships’, ‘Academy’, ‘Tours’ – What’s in a name? (ED2)
Identifies different types of tours, academies and scholarships and the benefits of each to the young athlete.

Presenters:

Mark Brogan – Executive Officer, Illawarra Academy of Sport

Jean-Paul de Marigny – NSW Institute of Sport Head Coach, Men’s Soccer

Growth and development – What’s right and when? (SC2)
What should a coach expect from and know about a young athlete? Understanding how gender differences, age, size and weight affect the training of young athletes.

Presenters:

Chava Sobrino – NSW Institute of Sport, Head Coach – Diving/ Olympic Gold Medal winning Coach.

Damien O‘Meara – NSW Institute of Sport , Senior Sport Scientist (Biomechanics).

Athlete case management – Systems to avoid burnout (SM2)
Explores some innovative systems used by hockey to ensure the welfare of their athletes.

Presenters:

Judy Laing – NSW Institute of Sport/Hockey NSW Emerging Athlete Program Coach.

Jamie Breden – Director, Student Services Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE)/Sydney Swans – Player Welfare.

Education: Talent Scouts – Working/playing the system (ED3)
What is the role of professional sport talent scouts and recruitment professionals – what are they looking for, where are they coming from, what makes them tick?
Do young players need agents/managers? Learn how to choose an agent/manager.

Presenters:

Damian Cotter - NSW Institute of Sport, Head Coach, Basketball.

Simon Woinarski – Project Officer, NSW Sport and Recreation/part time Talent Scout for the St.Kilda Football Club(AFL Scholarship Program).

Scheduling variety (SC3)
How much is too much? Assessing quality and quantity, competition and training and using other sports to optimise athlete development and performance.

Presenters:

Rod Carter – Former Sydney Swans player/teacher

Damien O‘Meara - NSW Institute of Sport, Senior Sport Scientist (Biomechanics)

Holistic athlete management (SM3)
A review of effective programs that balance the expectations of athletes, parents, coaches and educators.

Presenter:

Alan McConnell – AIS/AFL Academy High Performance Coach/Director AFL Academies.

Case Study – Rugby Union Players Association – A sport on the right track (ED4)
Explores athlete support structures and behaviour management through self discipline.

Presenter:

Rosemary Towner – National Player Development Manager, Rugby Union Player’s Association.

Recovery theory and practice (SC4)
Learn about the importance of recovery to young athletes – this workshop identifies different recovery methods and when to use them.

Presenters:

Kingsley Gibson – NSW Institute of Sport Physiotherapy Consultant /Physiotherapist, Sydney Sports Medicine Centre.

Aaron Holt – NSW Institute of Sport, Strength and Conditioning Consultant/2008 Australian Olympic Team (Recovery Centre).

Athlete case management – Systems to avoid burnout (SM4)
Explores some innovative systems used by hockey to ensure the welfare of their athletes.

Presenters:

Tracey Robinson – Assistant Coach NSW Swifts.

Gerry Knights – Executive Officer, South West Sydney Academy of Sport.

Work, study, sport/life balance – Keeping perspective (ED5)
Reading the signs – what to notice and when to step in when things aren’t right for the young athlete.

Practical tips on how to help athletes prioritise what’s important.

Presenter:

Deidre Anderson – Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie University (U@MQ).

Life balance – How to manage it all (SC5)
Assist your athlete to mentally prepare and recover – learn how to read the early warning signs to prevent burnout.

Presenter:

Paul Penna – Sport Psychologist for the Australia Swim Team/ Psychologist, Focus Performance Psychology.

Sport versus the athlete – Walking the tightrope (SM5)
Understand and manage the pressures placed on young athletes by various stakeholders.

Presenters:

Nick Burns – NSW Institute of Sport/Tennis NSW Regional Coach.

Joe Barakat – Forwards and Defence Coach to the Waratahs/Former Head Coach of the Junior Waratahs.