Great Southern Sports Forum gives clubs and organisations opportunity to brush shoulders with industry elites

More than 100 players, coaches and members from Great Southern clubs and associations brushed shoulders with leading athletes and coaches at the inaugural Great Southern Sports Forum. In an effort to pave the way for brighter futures among sporting teams and associations in the Great Southern region, attendees opened their eyes to new initiatives and ideas to build strong foundations for their respective groups. The forum was held at Retravision Stadium in Albany and involved several different sessions for participants. The education-driven day was capped off when attendees enjoyed a panel discussion with Olympian Nina Kennedy, AFLW star Sophie McDonald, Claremont captain Declan Mountford and former NRL player Matt Fuller. The quartet of elite athletes unpacked the ins and outs of developing a healthy playing environment for young athletes to thrive while discussing their triumphs and journeys to the peak of their chosen sports. Throughout the day patrons heard from guest speakers WA Football Commission’s Troy Kirkham and critical thinking trainer and communication coach Bethan Winn. Kirkham delivered an insightful presentation taking a deep dive into player retention among teenagers at a grassroots level and the systems coaches and associations can implement to improve it, particularly among teenagers. “Sport must remain accessible and affordable for all and need to make an environment and the experience a strong focus,” Kirkham said. “We must keep fun and play at the forefront by driving inclusivity, a welcoming environment and equal opportunities and access to all participants.” Attendees then enjoyed breakout sessions hosted by leading presenters within the sports industry to discuss developmental plans and theories to build solid foundations for their respective teams, clubs and associations. Great Southern Academy of Sport executive officer Rob Perisic, who attended the forum, said it provided sports affiliates from the region with an invaluable opportunity to earn insights into maximising the potential of their organisations. “I think it was a really useful exercise to have professionals, particularly consultants to clubs and sporting organisations, be able to share some wisdom and have everyone be able to bring something back to their clubs or organisations,” Perisic said. “There is a lot I can take back in terms of improving communication and prioritising certain things. “I think just having people that are focused on sport and passionate about sport in the same room, hearing these conversations and being part of that energy is really useful.” Perisic said he hoped the forum would foster more collaboration between Great Southern organisations. “I would like to know more about what’s happening locally. I think there’s a lot of value in the room, sitting dormant in the people that were attending,” he said. “So, opportunities to network with those people, opportunities to find out what they’re doing, and maybe next year seeing how the information that they gained from the forum workshops and seminars benefited their organisation. “I would like to connect a bit more and find the value of the people in the room and share my impressions of what we’re working on.”