KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
We are pleased to announce the keynote speakers for NYSC2026!
Professor Sean Cumming,
University of Bath, UK
Dr Robert Townsend
Sport New Zealand, NZ
Dr Lindsey Reece
Australian Sports Commission, AUS
​Professor Sean Cumming is an expert on growth, maturation, and athlete development. Based at the University of Bath, his research examines how biological maturity influences young athletes’ experiences, performance, and wellbeing. A major contributor to evidence-informed talent identification and athlete support, he has been instrumental in developing and advancing bio-banding - grouping young athletes by biological rather than chronological age.
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In his keynote, Professor Cumming will present on how bio-banding can create fairer, safer, and more developmentally appropriate sporting environments, offering valuable insights for coaches, administrators, and policymakers seeking to enhance inclusion and retention across youth sport.
Dr Robert Townsend is a leading expert in disability and para-sport, combining academic insight, policy leadership, and high-performance coaching experience. As Disability Lead for Sport New Zealand and an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Waikato, he plays a key role in shaping national approaches to equity and inclusion, driving cross-sector work as part of the Sport NZ 2024–28 strategy to address systemic inequities for disabled people.
In his keynote, Dr Townsend will explore how ableism manifests across coaching, leadership, and organisational systems. Blending critical theory with practical tools, he will challenge established structures and provide actionable strategies for creating more equitable and inclusive sporting environments.
Dr Lindsey Reece is a leader in participation and on in building active, healthy communities. A senior figure within the Australian Sports Commission, she is a expert in sport policy and physical activity promotion, shaping initiatives that strengthen participation, inclusion, and lifelong engagement. She plays a central role in guiding PlayWell and ASC-backed research, ensuring sport delivers broad community and participation outcomes.
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In her keynote, Dr Reece will present the latest developments from PlayWell and emerging insights from ASC-supported research, offering a forward-looking perspective on how evidence and collaboration can drive meaningful change across the Australian sport system.