6 Mar 2024
Registration, Welcome Drinks, Welcome to Country
5:00pm Registration Open & Collection of WISC Merchandise
6:00pm WISC Welcome & Networking Function
Sponsored by Perth Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Centre
6:30pm Welcome to Country & Cultural Experience
7:00pm Invited Guest Speaker Jess Skinner | NRL Pathways Strategy Manager & Women’s Rugby League Coach
7:30pm-9:00pm Networking
7 Mar 2024
WISC Research Themes
7:00am Breakfast in Store – Bared
RSVP HERE
7:00am-7:45am Registration
8:00am-9:30am Theme: Leadership
Chairs: Naomi McCarthy & A/Prof Clare Minahan
University: Griffith University
Invited Speaker: Kerry Turner | Manager Participation & Partnerships NSW Office of Sport Lead for “Her Sport Her Way” Strategy
9:30am-10:00am Morning Tea
10:00am-1:00pm Theme: Unique Physiology
Chairs: A/Prof Severine Lamon & Dr Amelia Carr
University: Deakin University
Invited Speaker: Dr Xanne Janse De Jonge | Exercise Physiologist
1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch & Socialising
2:00pm-5:00pm Theme: Nutrition & Recovery
Chairs: Prof Louise Burke & Dr Andy King
University: Australian Catholic University
Invited Speaker: Prof Shona Halson with Prof Louise Burke
8 Mar 2024
WISC Research Themes & WISC Gala Dinner
7:00am-7:45am Registration
8:00am-9:30am Theme: Performance
Chairs: Naomi McCarthy & A/Prof Clare Minahan
University: Griffith University
Invited Speaker: TBA
9:30am-10am Morning Tea
10:00am-1:00pm Theme: Interdisciplinary approach to female athletes
Chairs: Dr Kotryna Fraser & Dr Shane Ball
University: The University of Sydney
Invited Speaker: Dr Sophia Nimphius
1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch & Socialising
2:00pm-5:00pm Theme: Translational Research
Chairs: A/Prof Julie Cooke & A/Prof Naroa Etxebarria
University: University of Canberra
Invited Speaker: Kirsty Elliott-Sale | Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology, Manchester Metropolitan University
6:30pm-11:00pm WISC Gala Dinner & Awards Night
Sponsored by Suncorp
MC: TBA
Keynote Speaker TBA
Free Paper Major Prize Award
Free Paper Theme Awards
Music & Socialising
9 Mar 2024
WISC Research Themes
7:30am–8:00am Theme: Coaching
Registration & Breakfast Debate
8:00am–10:00am Female Athlete Education
Case Study Presentation
Coach & Athlete Panel
10:00am-10:30am Morning Tea
10:30am-12:30pm Case Study Presentation
Translation Presentation
Coach & Athlete Panel
Close
WISC2024 PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Registration, Welcome Drinks, Welcome to Country
From 5:00pm
Registration Open & Collection of WISC Merchandise
6:00pm
WISC Welcome & Networking Function – Sponsored by Perth Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Centre
6:30pm
Welcome to Country & Cultural Experience
7:00pm
Invited Guest Speaker: Jess Skinner | NRL Pathways Strategy Manager & Women’s Rugby league coach
7:30pm to 9:00pm
Networking
WISC Research Themes
7:00am
Breakfast in Store – Bared
RSVP HERE: Breakfast in Bared Tickets, Thu 07/03/2024 at 7:00 am | Eventbrite
7:45am – 8:30am
Registration
8:30am – 10:00am
Theme: Leadership
Chairs: Naomi McCarthy & A/Prof Clare Minahan
University: Griffith University
Invited Speaker: Kerry Turner | Manager Participation & Partnerships NSW Office of Sport Lead for “Her Sport Her Way” Strategy
10:00am – 10:30am
Morning Tea
10:30am – 12:20pm
Theme: Unique Physiology
Chairs: A/Prof Severine Lamon & Dr Amelia Carr
University: Deakin University
Invited Speaker: Dr Xanne Janse De Jonge | Senior Lecturer in Exercise Science – Women in Sport, Griffith University
Free Paper Presentations
EFFECTS OF ACUTE HEAT MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND MENSTRUAL CYCLE ON THERMAL STRAIN AND EXERCISE PERFORMANCE
Speaker: Lilia Convit
DO FLUCTUATIONS IN ENDOGENOUS SEX HORMONES AFFECT MECHANICAL STIFFNESS IN FEMALE ATHLETES?
Speaker: Michaela McGrath
INVESTIGATING SEX-BASED DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION
Speaker: Jay Ebert
INFLUENCE OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE STATUS AND TRAINING ON IRON STATUS AND REGULATION IN FEMALE ATHLETES
Speaker: Alannah Mckay
12:30pm – 12:50pm
ASC Welcome
Keynote Address: Inspiring inclusion through Women in Sport
Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
Minister for Sport
12:50am – 1:40pm
Theme: Unique Physiology
Chairs: A/Prof Severine Lamon & Dr Amelia Carr
University: Deakin University
Flash Presentations
1:40pm – 2:30pm
Lunch and Socialising
2:30pm – 5:30pm
Theme: Nutrition & Recovery
Chairs: Prof Louise Burke & Dr Andy King
University: Australian Catholic University
Invited Speaker: Prof Shona Halson with Prof Louise Burke
Free Paper Presentations
MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE EFFECTS ON HYDRATION, THIRST AND SWEAT LOSS DURING EXERCISE IN THE HEAT
Speaker: Rhiannon Snipe
INFLUENCE OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE ON SLEEP AND RECOVERY FOLLWING LOW- AND HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING IN ENDURANCE-TRAINED WOMEN
Speaker: Madison Taylor
IMPACT OF ALTITUDE EXPOSURE AND ENERGY AVAILABILITY ON RESTING METABOLIC RATE IN FEMALE ATHLETES
Speaker: Megan Kuikman
INVESTIGATING THE PREVALENCE OF LOW ENERGY AVAILABILITY, DISORDERED EATING, AND EATING DISORDERS IN FEMALE TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES IN THE UNITED STATES
Speaker: Melissa Lodge
RECOVERING FROM RED-S – BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS OF IMPROVING ENERGY AVAILABILITY AMONGST FEMALES DIAGNOSED WITH RED-S.
Speaker: Penny Matkin-Hussey
WISC Research Themes & WISC Gala Dinner
8:00am – 9:00am
Registration
9:00am – 10:30am
Theme: Performance
Chairs: Naomi McCarthy & A/Prof Clare Minahan
University: Griffith University
Invited Speaker: TBA
Free Paper Presentations
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND SELF-REPORTED MENSTRUAL CYCLE-RELATED SYMPTOM FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY IN NORWEGIAN TEAM HANDBALL PLAYERS OF DIFFERENT COMPETITION LEVELS
Speaker: John Osborne
SEX DIFFERENCES IN PERFORMANCE IN UPPER AND LOWER BODY DOMINANT SPORTS
Speaker: Annabelle McLaren
THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPOROSPATIAL PARAMETERS ON SPRINT-PADDLE PERFORMANCE IN ELITE FEMALE AUSTRALIAN SURFERS
Speaker: Sienna Gosney
10:30am – 10:50am
Morning Tea
10:50am – 1:50pm
Theme: Interdisciplinary approach to female athletes
Chairs: Dr Kotryna Fraser & Dr Shane Ball
University: The University of Sydney
Invited Speaker: Dr Sophia Nimphius
Free Paper Presentations
DEVELOPING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH FOR ELITE SPORT THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE FEMALE ELITE ATHLETE
Speaker: Lisa Olive
POSTPARTUM RETURN TO BALLET – SIX STEPS FROM PREGNANCY TO POINTE
Speaker: Bonnie McRae & Zara Gomes
ENABLING PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS IN SPORT FOR FIRST NATIONS WOMEN USING SPORTS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Speaker: Georgia Brown
UNDERSTANDINGS OF GENDER AMONGST STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES WORKING WITH SPORTSWOMEN
Speaker: Adele Pavlidis
Paddle-2-Podium: A four-phase strategy to support Olympic success
Speaker: Joanna Parsonage
1:50pm – 2:35pm
Lunch and Socialising
2:35pm – 5:30pm
Theme: Translational Research
Chairs: A/Prof Julie Cooke & A/Prof Naroa Etxebarria
University: University of Canberra
Invited Speaker: Kirsty Elliott-Sale | Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology, Manchester Metropolitan University
Free Paper Presentations
WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES AND PREFERENCES FOR PELVIC FLOOR SCREENING IN SPORTS: A MIXED METHODS STUDY
Speaker: Jodie Dakic
LESSONS IN PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: NETBALLSMART A NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMME
Speaker: Suzie Belcher
From awareness to action: Evaluating the impact of a coach educational intervention on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
Speaker: Jennifer Hamer
Win at all costs – Concussion and symptom disclosure in the National Rugby League Women’s Competition
Speaker: Shreya McLeod
The Menstrual Cycle and Female Athlete Health: A study of amateur netball players in New Zealand
Speaker: Kylie Cox & Sharon Kearney
7:00pm – 11:30pm
WISC Gala Dinner & Awards Night
Sponsored by Suncorp
MC: Dixie Marshall
Keynote Speaker: Tracey Holmes | International journalist and broadcaster
Free Paper Major Prize Award
Free Paper Theme Awards
Music & Socialising
WISC Research Themes
7:30am – 7:45am
Registration
7:45am – 9:00am
Theme: Coaching Female Athletes
The Great Debate
A group of sport industry experts and coaches will debate the dilemma coaches often face around prioritising actors to drive optimal performance. The debate will occur over breakfast and involve audience engagement and voting.
Topic
In the pursuit of excellence, sports coaches often face a dilemma: Should they prioritise data-driven performance optimisation or focus on fostering well-being and emotional intelligence? As a coach, which approach do you believe holds the key to true success. Let’s hear from coaches, practitioners, and academics that think they have the answer.
Debate Teams
Social/Cultural
- Sara Guevara – PhD Candidate/APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist
- Ellen Randell – Women’s National Training Centre Senior Coach, Rowing Australia
- Alan McConnell – AIS HP Coach Development Lead NSWIS | HP Coach, Coach Development, Consultant
Science
- Belinda Cox – National Trampoline Coach, Coach at Tokyo Olympics
- Jen Cooke – AIS Physical Therapies Lead
- David Joyce – High Performance Consultant | HP Sport Scientist | WiHPC Project Leader
9:00am – 9:20am
Presentation
Helen Brown will share insights and recommendations for researchers to support the practical translation of their knowledge for coaches.
9:20am – 9:40am
Morning Tea
9:40am – 10:15pm
Panel Discussion: Postpartum return to coaching
New research has initiated the investigation into the postpartum return to training for female athletes, yet the same has not yet been undertaken for female coaches. Dr Rachel Harris, the FPHI Project Lead will drive a discussion with a panel of athletes, coaches, and coach development personnel to unpack some key challenges and potential areas for exploration.
Panel members
- Lauren Soderberg – AWE Manager, Squash Australia | HP Coach and Coach Development
- Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer – Technical Lead, Swimming Australia
- Pip Taylor – High Performance Strategy | Director | Advocacy and Leadership – Sport | Health and Wellbeing | Dietitian | WiHPC Project Team
10:15am – 11:40am
Case Studies
Clare Minahan will lead this session which will involve a series of case studies that highlight the critical learnings and strategies to support coaches working with female athletes who are aiming for success in the Daily Performance Environment.
Case study presenters
Nicola Bullock | Athlete pregnancy and postpartum return to sport | |
Helene Wilson & Jody Cameron | HP Sport New Zealand | Leading and development women in High Performance Sport NZ |
Kay Robinson | AWE Football Australia Umpires | Wellbeing Support in Refereeing (Women Umpires) |
Kate Mahony | ||
Nikki Jeacocke | Senior Sports Dietitian at Australian Institute of Sport | The Collective responsibility in prevention and early identification of Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders. |
Brad / Simon | Rugby League Australia | Jillaroos |
Kate Perry | AIS Elevate Coaching |
11:45am – 12:15pm
Women in High Performance Coaching – Fixing the Leaky Pipeline Action Plan
The underrepresentation of women in High Performance coaching roles in Australia is a critical issue, with less than 10% of the top 36 funded High Performance sports led by women head coaches.
The AIS Women in High Performance Coaching Project (WiHPC) was established to address this situation and drive immediate action to create a more diverse and successful coaching ecosystem by 2032, a fundamental component of Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy.
In November 2023, the WiHPC Fixing the leaky pipeline Action Plan was released. This short interactive session led by Michelle De Highden will share project insights and themes and invite you into becoming engaged with the project to build collective momentum.