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2024 Oceania Coaching and Sports Science Conference

31-10-24
Griffith University Campus, Gold Coast

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Welcome to the 2024 Oceania Coaching and Sports Science Conference!

This year's event will take place at Griffith University on the Gold Coast from Thursday October 31 to Saturday November 2.

Our theme, The Power of Teamwork, promises to inspire and empower attendees with invaluable insights. The conference is open to coaches and professionals from all sports, offering a unique opportunity to learn from experts across various disciplines. 

We are thrilled to feature Wayne Bennett as our keynote speaker, delivering his talk on Achieving the Extraordinary: Insights into High-Performance Team Creation.

Additionally, we have the extraordinary Ironwoman Bonnie Hancock, who will share her remarkable journey of resilience after setting a World Record by paddling 12,700 km around Australia.

You'll also hear from esteemed experts, including Scott Fairweather, Bronwen Lundy, Dr. Tony Rice, and the Rowing Australia High-Performance Team coaches and support staff, who will delve into their experiences on the road to the Paris Games and build towards Los Angeles

Proudly supported by the 
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OUR SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE

We've assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers for our conference, each bringing their own unique expertise and perspective to the table. Expect to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with fresh insights from some of the most dynamic and influential voices in sports today.

EVENT SCHEDULE

The conference takes place over three days and with different speakers on each day you have multiple options available. Please note this is an indicative program that may be amended.
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday

6:30PM

Building G07 - The Terrace 

WELCOME SPEECH AND INTRODUCTION

Sarah Cook - Rowing Australia CEO

6:40PM

Building G07 - The Terrace 

Lucy Stephan, Olympic Gold Medallist

What sport has taught me

8:20AM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Introduction

Ray Ebert - Conference Facilitator

8:30AM - 9:15AM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

The benefits of high-intensity training

Dr Tony Rice
RA's Sports Science Lead

9:15AM - 10:15AM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Diversity delivers

Michelle De Highden, Christine MacLaren, Ellen Randell & Hally Chapman
AIS, SASI, WNTC Coach & Gen 32 coach

10:15AM - 11:00AM

MORNING TEA & EXHIBITION

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Why not? Resilience – set your Goals

Bonnie Hancock

Ironwoman & World Record holder

12:00PM - 1:00PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Communication & collaboration

Paul Thompson

Performance Director - Rowing Australia

1:00PM - 2:00PM

LUNCH & EXHIBITION

2:00PM - 2:45PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Integrity presentation - Child safeguarding/communication style

Keaton Guymer & SIA Team

2:45PM - 3:30PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

The changing face of coaching across sports

Chris O'Brien
Men's NTC Head Coach

3:30PM - 4:00PM

AFTERNOON TEA & EXHIBITION

4:00PM - 4:45PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Developing Excellence in Para Rowing

Chad King, James Loveday & Christine MacLaren
RA's Paralympics Coaching Team

4:45PM - 5:45PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Successful school program learnings

Matt Ryan, Caroline Pijpers & Tony O’Connor
Wesley College, CGGS & Christs College, NZ

8:15AM - 9:00AM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

How to create a positive sporting nutrition environment

Dr Bronwen Lundy
RA's Lead Nutritionist

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Know yourself and your athletes better

Tim McLaren & Bo Hanson
UTS RC & Athlete Assessments

10:00AM - 10:45AM

MORNING TEA & EXHIBITION

10:45AM - 11:45AM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

The Soft skills of coaching

Scott Fairweather
The Renovator

11:45AM - 12:45PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Achieving the Extraordinary: Insights into High-Performance Team Creation

KEYNOTE: Wayne Bennett
NRL Legend Coach - Current Coach of the NRL Dolphins

12:45PM - 1:30PM

LUNCH & EXHIBITION

1:30PM - 2:30PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Coach Communication

Tony O'Connor
New Zeland Men's Eight Gold medal coach - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

2:30PM - 3:00PM

Building G40 

Sport opportunities to grow

Choose a breakout session
Pathways - Jason Lane, RA's Pathways Team
Coastal Rowing - Beach Sprints
Indoor Rowing - RowNation, Ready, Set, Row grant, & events

3:00PM - 3:45PM

AFTERNOON TEA & EXHIBITION

3:45PM - 4:15PM

Building G40 

Sport opportunities to grow

Choose a breakout session
Pathways - Jason Lane, RA's Pathways Team
Coastal Rowing - Beach Sprints
Indoor Rowing - RowNation, Ready, Set, Row grant, & events

4:15PM - 5:00PM

Building G40  5.60 Lecture Theatre

Team building

James Harris
WNTC Head Coach

GRAB YOUR TICKET

Secure your spot at the 2024 Oceania Coaching and Sports Science Conference by purchasing your tickets here! We offer flexible options to fit your schedule, with 1-day, 2-day and 3-day passes available. Take advantage of discounted rates for multi-day tickets, and consider adding a ticket to the prestigious Hancock Prospecting Rower of the Year Awards, taking place on Saturday, November 2 at the QT Hotel.

We've maintained the conference ticket price at $495 for the 12th consecutive year, ensuring exceptional value for all attendees. Plus, all coaches who purchase a 2-day or 3-day ticket will receive complimentary access to the online Coastal Coaching course, earning accreditation at no additional cost (a $70 savings!). If you're only able to join us for one day (Saturday), single-day tickets are available at $280.

For those attending as a group, buy five tickets and receive an additional one free—perfect for teams looking to benefit from this enriching experience together.

Don't miss out on the optional welcome function on Thursday night, included with all ticket types. 

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION

The 2024 Oceania Coaching and Sports Science Conference offers a prime opportunity for businesses in the health, fitness, retail, and sports industries to showcase their products and services to a diverse group of coaches, support staff, and administrators. With a 3m x 2m exhibition booth, your business will have direct access to key decision-makers and influencers in the sports community. 

As an exhibitor, you’ll receive two full registrations to the conference, along with a pass to the exclusive Thursday night welcome function, giving you ample networking opportunities. This event is a perfect platform to expand your reach, connect with industry professionals, and boost brand visibility.

For more information please click here

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

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An innovative and stylish hotel, Mantra at Sharks offers premium Gold Coast accommodation in the heart of Southport. Surrounded by a myriad of dining and entertainment choices, guests will discover everything they need within the complex including a multi-purpose events centre, two restaurants, a café, bars, along with an extensive fitness centre offering the latest in gym equipment and a range of classes.

Mantra at Sharks is located in the heart of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, within walking distance to Griffith University. Bookings can be made via the website here

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Located in Australia’s favourite stretches of coastline, Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise is nestled between the buzz of the Surfers Paradise entertainment strip and Broadbeach’s chilled local dining scene, easily connected by the Florida Gardens Light Rail stop located just metres away. Our stunning location is just 200 metres from Gold Coast beaches and is also one stop away via the G:Link to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The G:Link will take you straight from the hotel to Griffith University in 30 minutes. The hotel also offers 269 accommodation rooms and plenty of informal meeting and entertaining spaces, including Relish Restaurant, Shooey's Bar and Horizons Sky Dining - Queensland’s only rooftop revolving restaurant.  We look forward to welcoming you soon at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise!

To book a room please click here: 2024 Oceania Rowing

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The sun is up on the reimagined QT Gold Coast. Is this the chicest place you’ll ever walk sand through? Unlace yourself to barefoot indulgence and oceanfront deco, dripping with the promise of a never ending summer. Stay afloat between surf and sky, head poolside and swim laps in luxury. Dive, recline, spa, drink, dine, dance and never stop, this is your designer playground to explore. Follow the neons to Yamagen Japanese, wander the Bazaar Marketplace, and kick back in rooms where golden hues meet sun-kissed serenity. Unwind with our mindfully designed treatments and rituals, and enjoy a blissful beachside glow at spaQ. The rest, is relaxation.

This is the location of the 2024 Hancock Prospecting Rower of the Year Awards. Please contact Rowing Australia via rsvp@rowingaustralia.com.au for a special room rate. Bookings can be made here

Welcome to Dorsett Gold Coast, where stylish inner-city vibrancy meets idyllic beachside relaxation. Located in Broadbeach and forming part of The Star Gold Coast’s world-class entertainment and leisure precinct, Dorsett Gold Coast offers the perfect escape for a memorable stay. Just 500m from Kurrawa Beach, moments away from Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and only  30 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport.

Discover unparalleled comfort in our 313 newly appointed rooms, meticulously crafted with contemporary elegance and boasting views of the coastline or Hinterland. Indulge in impeccable finishing touches, where relaxation beckons on plush king or twin beds. Your stay is enhanced with flat-screen TVs, ensuite bathrooms, and complimentary high-speed WiFi—all seamlessly integrated to redefine your stay with unrivalled refinement.

The Dorsett is offering a 15% discount off their Best Flex Rate for bookings from 30 October - 3 November 2024. Bookings can be made here

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

1 Parklands Dr,

Southport QLD 4215