Futures Day for Students!
The Women in Sport Summit 2026 Futures Day is an exciting event designed to inspire and empower high school students to explore diverse and innovative career pathways in the sporting landscape.
Inspire → Discover → Dream
Host city Adelaide is set to host this engaging day offers a rare chance for students to hear from industry leaders, connect with mentors, and envision their future roles in sports—from athlete pathways and advocacy to marketing and sports science pathways.
Help your students to unlock their potential and be inspired by the exciting new careers in women’s sport.
Direct access - Emerging pathways
We are pleased to invite your school to register its interest in attending Futures Day, a complimentary feature event of the Women in Sport Summit 2026, Adelaide.
Designed for students in Years 10–12, the program provides direct access to inspiring women leaders, real-world career insights and emerging pathways across sport, business, marketing, science, media, technology and leadership.
Give your students a front-row seat to the future of sport by registering your school's interest in this complimentary leadership and career development experience, with lunch provided for all attendees.
Places are limited and schools are encouraged to register early to secure access to a unique opportunity to connect students with women leading the future of sport, business, media, technology and high performance.
Futures Day delivers real-world career insights, industry connections and inspiring conversations that help students explore pathways in one of the world's fastest-growing industries — all at no cost to schools.
Why Your School Should Participate
Hear from Industry Leaders
Engage with inspiring speakers across diverse roles including performance, sports science, technology, marketing and events, advocacy and more.
Explore Career Opportunities
Discover both traditional and emerging pathways in women’s sport, encouraging students to dream big, think broadly, and be inspired in their future careers.
Build Connections
Students will have the chance to meet mentors, industry professionals, and role models advocating for gender equality in sport and supporting their aspirations.
Register Your School today
Registrations still open
Speakers
Futures Day
Dr. Ashlee Morgan is an Associate Professor of Sports Management at Flinders University and a leader in sport management education. Her expertise spans sport business, marketing, leadership, governance, inclusion and social impact. Having worked across academia and industry, from community and professional sport to the International Olympic Committee, she brings a broad perspective to the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
Ashlee is passionate about sport’s power to create positive change. Her work brings together research, education and industry to challenge established thinking and help shape the future of the field.
A regular contributor to radio, print and television media, Ashlee is a respected voice on the issues influencing sport today. She encourages the next generation to be curious, courageous and willing to challenge convention.
As CEO of Sport SA, the peak body for sport in South Australia, Leah has championed women’s sport from vision through to reality, establishing the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport, a program that empowers and connects all women in sport.
Leah has over 30 years of experience in Executive roles in Sport, Education and Human Services, with roles in Government and Non-Government in Australia, Turkey and Hong Kong. She holds a Master of Sociology from the University of Leicester (UK), a Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education from the University of Tasmania, a Diploma of Government in Project Management and is a recent graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Selma Barlow has lead Swimming SA as President since 2023 and been on the Board since 2019. A swim parent turned technical official, she has spent two decades in the sport across the UK and Australia and still referees at a national level.
She holds an MBA and leads economic development and tourism in local government.
Principal Economic Development Advisor, Strategic Leader, Building Thriving Economies, Partnerships and High Performing Teams, Chair, Swimming SA.
Tory Toogood is a physiotherapist, business owner, academic and former elite athlete whose career highlights the many directions a physiotherapy pathway can take.
A former Australian representative rower, Tory won World Championship gold, silver and bronze medals while studying physiotherapy part-time, balancing elite sport with university study.
Since qualifying, she has worked with teams across basketball, netball and baseball, supported the Nigerian Olympic team ahead of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and volunteered at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Alongside running her own physiotherapy practice for more than 23 years, Tory lectures at Flinders University, contributes to research supporting female athletes, and serves on a SASMA steering committee developing women’s health resources. Her current focus is supporting SASI athletes with pelvic health, a growing area of sports physiotherapy.
Callum Beale, a veteran of the sport with over 30 years of experience as a player, coach, and administrator, Beale returns to his home state of South Australia following a high-impact tenure at Tennis Australia, where he most recently served as head of Game Expansion.
Beale’s appointment, effective 1 May 2026, follows a competitive national search and signals a strategic pivot for Tennis SA toward a multi-disciplinary “racquet industry” model. His background in performance, commercial partnerships, and emerging sports positions the organisation to capitalise on the rapidly diversifying Australian sporting landscape.
Tennis SA president, Philip Roberts, noted that Beale’s extensive national and international experience provides the exact skill set required to elevate the state’s existing foundation.
Professor Shane Pill has lectured and conducted research in curriculum and pedagogy, physical education, sport coaching, sport development and educational leadership at Flinders University since 2006.
Before joining Flinders, Shane spent 18 years as a physical education and science teacher and school leader, bringing extensive practical experience to his teaching and research.
Shane is a Life Member and Fellow of the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER), recognised for his longstanding contribution to the field of physical education and recreation.
Aiming to represent my country on the biggest stage and win Gold at the Olympic Games. My story is about chasing dreams through persistence, resilience and hard work.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2 x BRONZE MEDALLIST AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES
5 x NATIONAL CHAMPION
20 X NATIONAL MEDALLIST
6 X OCEANIA MEDALLIST
2 X BRONZE MEDALLIST INTERNATIONAL TRACK SERIES – OMNIUM
WINNER OF THE AUSTRALIAN 6 DAY OMNIUM SERIES
WINNER OF THE UCI WOMENS MADISON & KEIRIN INTERNATIONAL CYCLE FEST BUNDABERG
3 x SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE ROAD CHAMPION
2ND PLACE JAPAN CUP ROAD RACE
BREAKING ANNA MEARES’ TRACK RECORD IN THE 500M TIME TRIAL AT THE ADELAIDE
SUPERDROME
Chris Lynch is a Mental Performance Practitioner at Sports College SA, supporting young people to build confidence, wellbeing, and the skills to thrive in sport, education, and life. With more than 20 years of experience in high-performance sport as both an athlete and practitioner, Chris has worked across Australia and internationally, including with Football Australia’s national teams, AusCycling, and the Institute of Sport Malaysia. Having worked extensively with female athletes and within women’s sport, he is passionate about helping people better understand themselves, embrace challenges, and build the confidence, competence, and capability to succeed in ways that are meaningful to them.
Charlotte worked with the Port Adelaide Football Club, assisting the AFL program while serving as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the SANFL team and working closely with the club’s development squads.
With over 12 years of experience in sport, Charlotte has coached athletes across all levels of Australian Rules Football, from junior pathways through to elite competition. She holds a Master of Strength & Conditioning and is an ASCA Level 2 Professional Coach. Outside of her professional role, Charlotte is a passionate CrossFitter and is particularly interested in integrating gymnastics principles into athletic development to enhance movement quality, strength, coordination, and long-term athletic performance.
Charlotte is the Senior Athletic Development and Rehabilitation Coordinator at St Peter’s College, where she has worked for the past seven years, leading the development of athletic performance, rehabilitation, and long-term athlete development programs across the school. Before joining St Peter’s College.
Lauren is a mentor at Sports College SA. She has been playing professional basketball for the last 15 years, and has represented Australia in 3X3 basketball, playing in the Commonwealth Games in 2022, the 3X3 World Cup in 2023, and the Olympic Games in 2024. She is a co-owner and lead coach at Complete Athlete Project, a local business which specialises in skills training for female athletes. She has experience coaching skill academies, holiday camps, school clinics, and running off court mentoring and mindset workshops with athletes. She is dedicated to guiding young people towards developing a healthy mindset, supporting their overall wellbeing, and seeing them reach their highest potential.
Dr. Evans is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and a Lecturer and Topic Coordinator in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology program at Flinders University.
Her main research theme is ‘Exercise is Medicine’ in the exercise oncology space and the role of digital tools to help deliver individualised exercise prescriptions to those not able to access face-to-face support.
She is also working clinically in the areas of exercise oncology, neurological conditions and musculoskeletal health.
Clare Lindop is a former champion jockey, industry leader, community advocate and passionate believer in continuing to evolve.
In 2003, Clare became the first Australian female jockey to ride in the Melbourne Cup, breaking an important barrier for women in Australian racing. Her 25-year riding career included three South Australian Metropolitan Premierships, four Group 1 victories and the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions. She was inducted into the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2018.
Today, as Industry Development & Training Manager with Racing SA, she works across education, training and workforce development, helping create pathways for the next generation of people entering the racing industry. Her role highlights her commitment to fostering growth and sustainability within the industry while ensuring the welfare of animals and participants.
Clare’s leadership extends to numerous boards, and committees, including roles as Patron of Pony Club SA, Ambassador for the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, representing Thoroughbred Racing on the Government Skills SA Industry Skills Council and is a selection panel member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and South Australian Racing Hall of Fame .
Clare has also taken her leadership beyond racing, serving as an elected member of the City of Holdfast Bay, including as Deputy Mayor, and contributing to sporting, community and industry organisations.
Her career is a great example of why success isn’t about having one perfect career plan. It is about being willing to learn, unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, adapt, take opportunities, back yourself and keep moving forward.
For Clare, leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about having the courage to take the next step, the resilience to learn from what doesn’t go to plan, and the curiosity to keep evolving. and community service. Her contributions continue to shape the future of the racing industry and inspire positive change across all her endeavours.
Emily graduated from Physiotherapy in 2016 from the University of South Australia where she also completed a degree in Applied Science (Exercise Science). She then went on to complete her Masters in Advanced Clinical physiotherapy (Sports) to become an APA Titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist. She has also completed her level 1 ASCA Strength & Conditioning.
Emily has a keen interest in sports after competing at a National level in swimming. She has since found a love for football (soccer) and has been the Head Physiotherapist for the Adelaide United Women’s Team since 2019.
Emily’s specific interests include sports injuries, particularly lower limb injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation and strength and conditioning. She also works heavily in injury prevention/reduction.
Dr. Rubi Cury is a sport business academic at Flinders University, bringing together research, education, and industry.
She specialises in sport governance and sustainability and designing authentic learning experiences that position industry as a curriculum partner. Alongside her academic career,
Rubi draws on practical experience as a former professional judo athlete, State Sport Director, and National Referee. She is also an alumna of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport and serves on its Advisory Group.
Megan Wooldridge is the General Manager – Community Cricket at the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA).
With extensive leadership experience across cricket, netball, government and community sport, she specialises in participation growth, strategic partnerships, sector capability, and community engagement. Megan is passionate about creating inclusive sporting opportunities, strengthening volunteers and clubs, and using sport as a vehicle to build healthier, more connected communities across South Australia.
Jessi Miley-Dyer is a leader in professional surfing and ocean conservation. A former World Surf League (WSL) Commissioner – and the first woman to hold the position – Miley-Dyer previously oversaw the WSL’s competitive landscape including the Championship Tour, Challenger Series, Qualifying Series, Pro Junior Series, Longboard, Big Wave, and specialty events and held roles such as Women’s Championship Tour Manager, Senior Vice President of Tours and Competitions, and Chief of Sport.
At the WSL, Miley-Dyer played a central role in the sport’s growth and in advancing the women’s Tours. She helped lead and deliver milestones including the WSL’s 2018 pledge to award equal prize money to male and female athletes at all WSL-owned events (effective 2019) and the fully combined men’s and women’s 2022 competition schedules. She also launched the WSL Rising Tides community program and was named a 2022 Sports Business Journal Game Changer for her work.
Before her WSL career, Miley-Dyer spent more than a decade as a professional surfer, winning the inaugural WSL World Junior Championship, competing six years on the Championship Tour (including a rookie-year Billabong Pro Maui victory), and serving as a Surfers’ Representative and ASP Board Member. She was the 2006 World Number 4 and Rookie of the Year, the 2007 World Qualifying Series Champion, The 2003 U / 18 ISA World Junior Champion, as well as carrying the Olympic Torch into Bondi Beach.
After seeing through the expansion of the WSL Women’s Championship Tour to 24 women from 18, Miley-Dyer stepped aside from her role at the WSL to return to her native Sydney from Los Angeles. She now serves on the boards of the Surfrider Foundation Australia and Surfing NSW, continuing to champion ocean protection, athlete welfare, and inclusive access to the sport. She holds a Master’s in Business from the University of New South Wales and is based in Clovelly.
Dr. Ramos is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Senior Lecturer at Flinders University. Her research focuses on women’s health, with expertise in postpartum health and supporting women to return to exercise and sport.
As an educator, clinician and researcher, she is passionate about translating evidence into practical approaches that improve health and performance outcomes.
Dr Ramos has competed at the highest level of women’s basketball and volleyball in New Zealand and remains actively involved in athlete development through coaching. Combining academic expertise, clinical practice and elite sporting experience, she brings valuable insights into women’s health, sport and performance.
College of Health and Enablement
Passionate about improving women’s health outcomes, Kiara is committed to closing the gender data gap, educating students and future clinicians, and advancing female-centred care.
Jack is SASMA’s Operational and Membership Manager and has been instrumental in SASMA’s rebuild and in driving us into the exciting phase we’re in today. His leadership and commitment shine through in every project he touches.
Jack has managed medical teams for major events including:
🚴♂️ Tour Down Under
🏐 Beach Volleyball World Championships
🏇 Adelaide Equestrian Festival
⛹️♂️ Australian Masters Games
He also plays a key role in delivering our Annual State Conference, Professional Members Education Program, and the coordination of SASMA’s programs – all while keeping our CRM, website, membership, communications and social media running smoothly.
Athletes
Ebony O’Dea has built a reputation as a fierce defender, known for her strong tackling and on-ball abilities. She played every possible game for the club since Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW season and has shown her strong value in the backline. A solid all-rounder in defence, O’Dea has confessed her love for the tough stuff – the contested footy – and every facet of her game backs that up to be true.
Joining Port Adelaide from Collingwood in 2022, O’Dea has proven she knows what takes to perform and succeed at the elite level – a valued trait in a young side. The former Norwood player is a unicycling world record holder and a Rubik’s Cube fanatic – just a couple of quirks that add to her unique character. She has previously been awarded the Players’ Player award at Port Adelaide’s Best and Fairest (2022), a testament to her value to her teammates both on and off the field.
Honour – Players’ Player (2022)
AGENDA
- CLICK HERE > WISS FUTURES DAY AGENDA - Monday 19th October, 2026
Event Sponsors and Partners
Presenting Partners
Major Partners
Futures Partner
The Venue
Adelaide Oval – The heart of South Australia
The Women in Sport Summit 2026 will be hosted at the world-renowned Adelaide Oval, one of Australia’s most iconic and picturesque venues. Located in the heart of Adelaide, the stadium is a premier destination for AFL, cricket, concerts, and major events, attracting visitors from across the globe.
Blending rich heritage with world-class, modern facilities, Adelaide Oval offers a unique experience for delegates. From guided tours and the thrilling rooftop climb to its integrated hotel and diverse dining options, the venue showcases the best of South Australia’s hospitality and innovation.
As one of the country’s leading destinations for sport and major events, Adelaide Oval provides the perfect setting to bring together athletes, leaders, and industry professionals—creating an inspiring environment to celebrate, connect, and shape the future of Women in Sport.
FAQ's