Future Champions Pathways Forum
The Future Champions Pathways Forum brings together coaches, sport leaders and experts from across NSW and Australia to explore best‑practice approaches to developing future champions.
Event details
Empowering Our Coaches — Now and into the Future is the theme for this year's industry forum.
Coaches are critical to the development, performance and wellbeing of emerging athletes. This forum brings together leaders from across the AIS, NSWIS, state sporting organisations and key pathway partners to explore best‑practice approaches to supporting coaches, particularly at the talent and pre‑elite stages where impact is greatest.
Through expert insights, cross‑sport discussion and practical examples, attendees will examine how a more connected, consistent and empowered coaching work
force can strengthen athlete pathways across NSW.
The day will also highlight tools and resources developed by the Office of Sport to support coaches now and into the future.
Date: Friday 22 May 2026
Location: Freshwater Room, Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park
Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm
Getting there: Olympic Park station is a 2-minute walk from the Novotel
Cost: FREE (includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)
Parking: Limited parking options are available. Please see the link below for further details.
Speakers
Matt Graham OLY
A four‑time Winter Olympian and dual Olympic medallist, Graham stands among Australia’s most successful mogul skiers. He brings invaluable elite‑athlete insight to high‑performance pathways, shaped by sustained success at the highest level of international competition.
Peter Topalovic
Kathy Fahim
Personal Development Adviser, Sport Wellbeing / Coach Development, AIS Performance, Australian Sports Commission
Leads performance wellbeing for high performance coaches.
Jenni Banks OAM
Coach Development Lead – Paralympics, AIS Performance, Australian Sports Commission
Leads Paralympic high performance coach development.
Bradley McGee OLY OAM
High Performance Coach Advisor, NSW Institute of Sport
Former elite cyclist and coach, specialising in coaching capability and performance systems.
Alan McConnell
Coach Development Lead, AIS and NSWIS
Drives best‑practice coach development across state and national systems.
Dr Derek Panchuk
Skill Acquisition Lead, Australian Institute of Sport
A leading researcher and practitioner in learning design and skill acquisition for high‑performance sport.
Mardi Aplin
General Manager, Performance and Pathways, Netball NSW
Oversees the performance continuum from emerging talent to elite competition.
Jarrod Moore
Coach Development Manager, Basketball NSW
Leads coach education and development initiatives across the basketball pathway.
Erin Wilson
General Manager, Performance and Innovation, RAS Ltd
Focused on innovation, performance strategy and athlete development.
Salv Carmusciano
Chief Executive Officer, Illawarra Academy of Sport
Sport leader with a strong focus on regional and pathway development.
Skye Halliday
Head of Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s Program, Pymble Ladies’ College
Leads the Pymble Elite Sports Women Program (PESP), an AOC recognised Olympic Pathways school program.
Kieran Donohue
Catholic Schools NSW
Championing school‑to‑pathway connections across the NSW education system.
James Kozlowski
NSW Sports High Schools
Oversees 8 NSW Sports High Schools of which 7 are recognised by the AOC as Olympic Pathways schools.
2026 Future Champions Forum
2026 Future Champions Forum
2026 Future Champions Forum
Resources
- Marty Jeffrey - Aboriginal Outcomes Team (PDF, 3.71 MB)
- Sky Halliday - Pymble Ladies College (PDF, 515.67 KB)
- Mardi Aplin - Netball NSW (PDF, 2.97 MB)
- Future Champions Update - Dr Juanita Weissensteiner (PDF, 5.5 MB)
- Coaching resources - Dr Juanita Weissensteiner (PDF, 6.03 MB)
- James Kozlowski - NSW Sports High Schools (PDF, 4 MB)
- AIS and NSWIS Coaching Initiatives (PDF, 1.46 MB)
- Jarrod Moore - Basketball NSW (PDF, 1.08 MB)
- Derek Panchuk and Simon Woinarski - Coaching Course (PDF, 1.67 MB)
- Erin Wilson - Regional Academies of Sport (PDF, 1.14 MB)
The forum showreel and images will be available post event.
Contact us
Get in touch with the Future Champions team if you have any questions about the Forum or specific requirements.