Futures Day Brings More Than 700 Students Inside the Future of Women’s Sport

Sporting leaders, industry voices and emerging career opportunities took centre stage at Adelaide Oval as more than 700 students explored where a future in sport could take them.

More than 700 students gathered at Adelaide Oval on Monday, 19 October, for the Women in Sport Summit Futures Day 2026, hearing directly from people shaping the industry and discovering pathways extending well beyond the field of play.

Created and delivered by Ministry of Sport as part of the Women in Sport Summit, Futures Day connected the next generation with speakers across sporting leadership, sports medicine, research and industry. The ambition was clear: help young women see the breadth of opportunities available and imagine themselves taking those opportunities.

Guiding the program was UK presenter, BBC host and Miss England titleholder Sian Brennan-Todd, who recently relocated to Australia. Brennan-Todd brought warmth, energy and a strong connection with the young audience, drawing together the day’s themes and making conversations about careers and leadership feel accessible.

Ashlee Morgan set the tone with an opening address exploring the journey of women in sport. Her message encouraged students to broaden their definition of success: competing is one pathway, but so too are coaching, leadership, working behind the scenes and influencing how sport evolves.

Alex Henrick then took students inside sports medicine, revealing the range of professionals and roles supporting athletes and sporting organisations. The session opened a window into an essential part of the industry that often operates outside the spotlight.

Leah Cassidy brought a personal perspective through her sporting journey and discussion of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport, connecting individual experience with the broader work of advancing opportunities for women.

The panel discussion, The Careers and Opportunities You Didn’t Know Existed, brought Callum Beale, Clare Lindop, Selma Barlow and Linzi Appleyard together to unpack pathways students may not previously have considered.

The conversation went beyond job titles, exploring the confidence, resilience and willingness to take opportunities that underpin a career in sport. Students heard that confidence can be developed, setbacks do not define potential, and learning from those already working in the industry can help open doors.

The horizon widened further during the Flinders University panel with SACA, featuring Tori Toogood, Dr Rubi Cury, Megan Wooldridge, Dr Holly Evans and Professor Shane Pill.

With Brisbane 2032 in focus, the discussion explored the opportunities ahead and how students can begin building their own pathways. Panellists paired their optimism for women’s sport with recognition of the challenges that remain, encouraging students to contribute to change within their schools and communities.

The closing fireside conversation between Brennan-Todd and Jessi Miley-Dyer brought the day’s themes into focus. Miley-Dyer’s story offered students a perspective on influencing sport’s direction, challenging expectations and creating lasting change.

It was a fitting conclusion to a day that put more than 700 students in the room with people and ideas helping shape women’s sport.

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