Deadline Extended: Abstract submissions now close on October 31st.

Program

The Lifecycle of the Female Athlete

This year’s program centres on a comprehensive exploration of the female athlete’s lifecycle. From the formative stages of adolescence—including puberty and physical development—through the peak of elite performance, the journey continues into key life phases such as pregnancy, postpartum recovery, parenting, and fertility. The theme culminates with retirement and the transition to life beyond competitive sport. Through expert-led sessions and evidence-based insights, WISC 2026 will illuminate the unique challenges, milestones, and opportunities that shape the female athletic experience across every stage of life.

Please note: The program schedule is subject to change. Speakers and session times may be adjusted prior to the event.

Sunday 8 March 2026

International Women's Day

Time Session Details
16:30 Registration
W Hotel – Sun Deck | Level 4
17:30-18:00 Welcome Address
W Hotel – Sun Deck | Level 4
Welcome to Country		 Co-chairs: Dr Rachel Harris & A/Prof Clare Minahan TBC
18:00-18:30 Cultural Dance Performance Sand & Sea Dance Troup Far North Footprints

Sand & Sea is a contemporary dance group that celebrates First Nations culture, drawing inspiration from the stunning land and waters of our Tropical North Queensland and the dancers' own families. The troupe is led by Indigenous dancers of all ages who collaborate and perform as one under the guidance of their dance teacher, Caitlin Sands.
18:30-19:30 Networking Drinks and canapés provided

Monday 9 March 2026

Time Session Details
7:00 – 8:00 Brisbane River - Run/Walk – TBC
8:00 Registration & Breakfast on arrival
W Hotel – Great Room Foyer | Level 3
Evidence Gap Map
W Hotel – Great Room
Session Chair - Miranda Menaspa, Director National Performance Support Systems
9:00-9:30 Evidence Gap Map Dr Anjana Rajendra | Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Edith Cowan University Dr Nicole Hallett | Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney Mapping and Appraising Evidence in Women's Sport Research:
  • Strength and Power training interventions.
  • Psychological and mental health interventions.
9:30-9:45 Evidence Gap Map Q&A Miranda Menaspa | Director National Performance Support Systems AIS Professor Sophia Nimphius | Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sport) Edith Cowan University Professor Franco Impellizzeri | School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation University of Technology Sydney Q&A on Evidence Gap Map in Women's Sport Research
Adolescence Theme
W Hotel – Great Room
Session Chair – Emma Beckman, Para Sport High Performance Manager QAS
9:45-10:15 Spotlight Speaker Karlee Quinn | Talent Advisor Talent & Coaching Queensland Academy of Sport Balancing Dreams: Youth, Pressure, and Performance in Women's Sport
10:15-10:55 Free Papers Oral presentations
10:55-11:25 Athlete Panel
- Q&A Panel
Sponsored by University of Queensland		 Q&A with adolescent high-performance athletes TBC The Early Edge: Young Athletes on Success, Pressure & Possibility
11:25-11:55 Morning Tea Break – W Hotel Great Room Foyer Morning Tea & Refreshments provided
Elite Athlete Theme
W Hotel – Great Room
Session Chair – Clare Minahan, A/Prof | FPHI Research Lead
Sponsored by Griffith University
11:25-12:25 Spotlight Speaker David T Martin – Research & Innovation | Performance Partnerships QAS Next-Level Performance: Women, Sport & the Power of Innovation
12:25-13:05 Free Papers Oral presentation
13:05-13:35 You can’t ask that! Kim Crane CEO Paddle Australia
Marne Fechner CEO Australian Cycling
Sarah Cook CEO Rowing Australia The Hot Seat: CEOs Face the Athlete Perspective
13:35-14:35 Lunch Break
W Hotel Great Room Foyer		 Lunch and Refreshments provided
Keynote Session
14:35-15:35 Keynote Presentation
Australian Air Force		 WCDGR Sally Knox – Commanding Officer 6 Squadron Royal Air Force
FLTLT Antonia Flocco - Electronic Warfare Officers EA-18G Growler Royal Australian Air Force
FLTLT Stephanie Geaney - Electronic Warfare Officers EA-18G Growler Royal Australian Air Force
PLTOFF Macey Zielke - - Electronic Warfare Officers EA-18G Growler Royal Australian Air Force
Free Paper Session
15:35-16:15 Flash talks Oral presentations
Poster Presentations & Networking
W Hotel Great Room Foyer
Sponsored by AFL/AFLW
16:15-16:30 Presentation Speaker TBCAFL|AFLW – Speaker TBA
16:30-18:00 Poster Presentations & Networking Original Research, Case Study & Professional Practice Based Poster Presentation
Drinks & Afternoon tea provided.

Tuesday 10 March 2026

Time Session Speaker
07:00 – 08:00 Bared Breakfast
7 Wandoo St Fortitude Valley QLD		 Coffee and Breakfast Provided
08:00 Registration & Breakfast on Arrival
W Hotel – Great Room Foyer | Level 3
Cultural Insights
W Hotel – Great Room
09:00-10:00 Cultural Insights Libby Cook Black Melody Cooper OLY Regional Development Manger | Oceania & Asia Commonwealth Games Federation Other Speakers TBC Culture, Context & Competition: Understanding Elite Female Athletes
Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, Post-Partum Theme
W Hotel – Great Room
Session Chair – Ebonie Rio, Sport and Exercise Medicine Physiotherapist, Assistant Physiotherapy Manager, Co-Chair Research Council
Sponsored by Central Queensland University
10:00-10:30 Spotlight Speaker Margie Davenport – Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta | Director of the Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Guiding the Future: Creating Pregnancy and Postpartum Protocols for Women in Elite Sport
10:30-11:10 Free Papers Oral presentations
11:10-11:40 Expert Panel Four experts in Pre-Conception, Pregnancy & Post-Partum Dr Tiarna Ernst – Gynecologist and Fertility Specialist Dr Bonnie McRae – Sports and Exercise Physician - CMO Wheelchair Rugby, CMO Queensland Ballet Assoc. Prof. Melanie Hayman - Central Queensland University Other Speakers TBC Reproductive Realities: Supporting Elite Athletes Through Every Stage of Parenthood
11:40-12:10 Morning Tea Break
W Hotel Great Room Foyer		 Morning Tea & Refreshments provided
Retirement & Post Sport Life Theme
W Hotel – Great Room
Session Chair – Shona Halson, Prof SPRINT Research Centre, Australian Catholic University
Sponsored by Queensland University of Technology
12:10-12:40 Spotlight Speaker Chloe Hosking – Olympic Cyclist | Founder of Hosking Bikes Beyond the Podium: Mental, Emotional & Career Journeys After Sport
12:40-13:10 Free Papers Oral presentations
Keynote Session – Myth Busters Fireside Chat
Sponsored by Chobani
13:05-13:35 Myth Busters – Female Athlete Performance -Fireside Chat Stuart Phillips Distinguished University Professor, Canada Research Chair Acting Chair, Department of Kinesiology McMaster University Dr Tony Boutagy PHD Sports & Exercise Scientist Professor Jaqueline Alderson – Director of Tech and Human Performance UCLA Proof not posts: What does the data say?
13:35 – 14:35 Lunch Break
W Hotel Great Room Foyer
Keynote Session
14:35 – 15:05 Keynote Presentation Katherine Bennell-Pegg – Director of Space Technology | First Australian Astronaut Australian Space Agency
Free Paper Session
15:05 – 16:05 Free Papers Oral presentations
Industry Session
16:05 – 17:00 Industry Lightning Panel Taryn McQueen | Principal Architect Populous Other Speakers TBC Equity by Design: Creating Products and Spaces That Support Female Athletes
WISC 2026 Gala Dinner & Awards Night
Howard Smith Wharves 5 Boundary Street Brisbane
Sponsored by Suncorp
18:30-19:00 Drinks on Arrival
Rivershed Deck
19:00-19:15 Welcome Dr Rachel Harris & A/Prof Clare Minahan – Co-Chairs
19:15 Entrée Served
19:30 Suncorp Presentation Suncorp Rep TBA
19:45 Dinner Served
20:15 – 20:45 Award Presentations Dr Rachel Harris & A/Prof Clare Minahan – Co Chairs
20:45 – 21:00 Closing Remarks Dr Rachel Harris & A/Prof Clare Minahan – Co Chairs
21:00-22.00 Dessert canapés served & Networking

Wednesday 11 March 2026

Time Title Speaker
09.00-11:00 Female Performance Health Coach Education (Invite only)
QAS - Room TBD		 Nikki Jeacocke – AIS Disordered Eating Lead Other speakers TBA Topics to be discussed
  • Basics of MC & Link to Performance, Tapering & Peak Performance
  • How to Communicate, Sensitive conversations
  • Psychology & Group Considerations
  • Understanding Injury Risk in female athletes
  • RED-S and Energy Availability in female athletes
09.00-11:00 Female Performance Health Athlete Education (invite only)
QAS – Room TBD		 Shona Halson Mel Hayman Margie Davenport Dr Tiarna Ernst Alannah McKay Topics to be discussed
  • Basics of MC & Link to Performance, Tapering & Peak Performance
  • Fertility and planning for athletes
  • Updated approaches to optimizing iron for performance in female athletes
  • Wearables and their role in female recovery and sleep
  • Navigating pregnancy as an athlete
09:00-11:00 WISC 2026 – Female Performance Health-Research Fundamentals (Ticketed)
QAS – Room TBD		 Research Translation Podcast Louise Burke & HP Coach – Australia Kirsty Elliot Sale & Richard Burden – UK Q&A basics and quirks of researching female athletes
11:30-12:30 Networking Lunch
13:00 – 15:00 WISC 2026 – Female Performance Health – Practitioner Education (Ticketed)
QAS – Room TBD		 Dr Rachel Harris Assoc. Prof. Clare Minahan Female Performance Health – Train the Trainer
Register Now

WISC IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WISC IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

The Australian Sports Commission acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which it stands, the Ngunnawal people, and pays its respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. The Australian Sports Commission also pays its respects to the traditional custodians of the lands on which it operates; Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung, Yuggera and Turbal and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The Australian Sports Commission recognises the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to society and to sport in Australia and celebrates the power of sport to promote reconciliation and reduce inequality.

The Australian Sports Commission acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which it stands, the Ngunnawal people, and pays its respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. The Australian Sports Commission also pays its respects to the traditional custodians of the lands on which it operates; Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung, Yuggera and Turbal and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The Australian Sports Commission recognises the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to society and to sport in Australia and celebrates the power of sport to promote reconciliation and reduce inequality.

© 2025 Women In Sport Congress. All rights reserved

Website by White Leaf Solutions Ltd