GSUN The Global Sport University Network

From everyone at the Global Sport University Network, we wish you a fantastic New Year and an even better 2026!

Through @HPALS_, @UCT_news is one of nine universities on the leadership council of the newly formed Global Sports University Network (@GSUN_Network), one of just two institutions from the Global South & the only one from Africa: bit.ly/3MHQfrg.

Is it really a month ago...?? What a brilliant 2 days at this years Global Summit hosted at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Incredible discussions had, new connections made and a legacy to build on as we head to Germany in 2026!! Check our our wrap up video and hear from some of our key attendees...

Proud to see Members of ASPA on an expert panel at GSUN'25! 🌍➡️🏃‍♀️ From global to local advocacy, the panel explored how leaders can work together to tackle inactivity and get more people moving. @GSUN_Network

@GSUN_Network summit, Brisbane 9/2025. Thanks to chair Mike Hahn (University of Oregon) and panelists Dominik Höbling (RISE, IT company), Mike Levine (US NOC), and Samuel Robertson (University of Queensland), who helped me moderate the session about critical perspectives on AI.

Everyone's talking about the USA. There is a lot going on, a lot of division. At the @GSUN_Network in Brisbane I asked @TeamUSOPC senior VP, @finkirwan about the challenges and potential for the LA 2028 games. (Full interview on this week's ep of The Sports Ambassador) #Olympics #Paralympics #USA #TeamUSA #LA28 #healing #division #sports #powerofsports

Digital twins are the all the rage at the top end of sport where getting that extra one percent in performance is the difference between winning and losing. So what's next from performance science for elite athletes? Dr David Martin was one of the speakers at @GSUN_Network. I caught up with him afterwards for The Sports Ambassador podcast. #elite #performance #sports #GSUN #Brisbane2032 #LA28 #Olympics #Paralympics

"Without collaboration it’s just theory With collaboration it is impact" Great session from Peter Jarmain, Vice President at @Wasserman Live about The Collective - a women-focused global advocacy and advisory business that drives investment in women through research, insights, ideas, campaigns, activations and partnerships with an aim to raise visibility and steer inclusion of women across the industry.

GSUN'25 DONE ✅ What a few days in Brisbane! Our conference finshed up with our closing speakers @TraceyLeeHolmes , @Joannemaher, @JohnCairney68 , and Tobias Vogt from Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln - inviting everyone to Cologne next year for our 2026 Summit! Special mention to our Platinum Sponsor, @kpmgaustralia Australia and supporting partners, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS). Your support empowered us to bring together 200+ academics, government representatives, industry leaders, athletes and youth voice to create game-changing conversations harnessing the power of sport to create positive change and innovation. Thank you so much to @UQ_News for being incredible hosts for our second ever summit - your dedication and enthusiasm over the past 12 months has been so worth it! And finally thank you to our team of amazing people who worked behind the scenes to help make this all happen - Timothy Carroll John Cairney Adam Sehnoun Sharon Hinton Renae Huggan-Broughton Ally McDonald Alonso and the incredible Carlyn Schreck!

Our Sport Diplomacy in Developing Nations session showcased two outstanding programs—Para START and GAPS—that are transforming lives and strengthening international connections through sport. Experts from The University of Queensland, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, and Griffith University explored how these initiatives use evidence-based practice to create inclusive and sustainable sport pathways. The discussion highlighted the impact of the Para START program, which provides safe and effective Para sport entry and training for people with severe disabilities and high support needs. Panelists shared how a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade collaboration is adapting Para START for the Indonesian context, fostering cultural ties and supporting disadvantaged populations. They also examined the GAPS project, which is building inclusive and sustainable sport pathways across the Pacific and demonstrating the powerful role of sport in Australian diplomacy. Thank you GSUN Council member Malcolm Collins from University of Cape Town for introducing the panel of Samitha Gowinnage Dona, Sean Tweedy, Suryo Saputra Perdana, and Clare Minahan for their inspiring insights, and to everyone who joined us for this important conversation. Your engagement helps advance the global dialogue on how sport can drive inclusion, diplomacy, and lasting social impact.

One of our final panels at GSUN'25 focused on Concussion: A Complex Issue to Get Your Head Around The panel brought together a powerhouse of expertise from Sports Medicine Australia, UNSW Sydney, Loughborough University, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC), Bangarra Dance Theatre, and The University of Queensland. Together they unpacked the global challenge of sports concussion, a condition with an estimated 42 million diagnoses each year—though the real figure may be far higher due to widespread under-reporting. The conversation bridged STEM, sociocultural, and humanities perspectives to examine not only the science of concussion but also the cultural and behavioural factors that shape how it is recognised and managed. Panelists shared critical insights and opened a thought-provoking discussion around the question: What is the most pressing issue that must be addressed for sports concussion today? Thank you to Jamie Crain, Eva Engelmeyer, Martin Lindley, Dominic Malcolm, Warwick Bowen, Michelle Wong, Fatima Nasrallah, and Stephen Townsend or their expertise and to everyone who joined the session. Your engagement helps drive the global conversation on athlete health, safety, and the future of concussion research and policy.

Moderated by GSUN Council member Bill Sheel, Our Sun Safety in Sport panel sparked an important conversation on the health risks posed by ultraviolet (UV) exposure in outdoor sports and the urgent need for stronger sun safety practices. Experts from The University of Queensland, Queensland Health, and Cancer Council Queensland came together to share research and real-world strategies that can protect athletes and active communities. The discussion highlighted the prevalence of sun-related skin damage among athletes and offered evidence-based prevention measures to help change behaviour and culture. From education programs to policy reform, the panel underscored how coordinated action across sport, health, and public policy can make sun safety a lasting norm in outdoor athletic environments. A huge thank you to our panelists—Bill Sheel, H. Peter Soyer, Jodie Antrobus and Daniel Lindsay —for their expertise and passion, and to everyone who joined us for this timely session. Your engagement helps drive the awareness and change needed to keep athletes safe under the sun.

The GSUN panel on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) brought together leading voices from The University of Queensland, Waseda University, Syracuse University, Twenty3 Sport, Loughborough University, and Australian Olympian Natalie Cook OAM OLY for an inspiring and insightful discussion. Together they explored how universities are taking the lead in shaping the future of NIL through education, research, and innovation. Across the conversation, the speakers highlighted how certificate programs, interdisciplinary initiatives, and academic–industry partnerships are empowering student-athletes with branding strategies and ethical frameworks. Their perspectives offered practical guidance for teams, brands, and rights holders navigating the fast-moving NIL environment while sharing emerging trends that will define the next phase of this space. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to our panelists—John Cairney , Hirotaka Matsuoka, Rick Burton , Nat Cook, John Tripodi, and Vic Burgess—for sharing their expertise and sparking such valuable dialogue.

Changing the Game: Co-Constructing a Multilayered Approach to Enhance Junior Sport How do you redesign junior sport so every child, coach and parent walks away smiling? At this session, a unique partnership between researchers and practitioners revealed how they’re rewriting the playbook for Junior Rugby League—and offering a blueprint for youth sport everywhere. Rather than top-down directives, the team worked with clubs and families to: • remodel playing formats so games fit kids, not the other way around • enrich coach education to nurture development over scoreboard wins • elevate the role of parents as positive, informed supporters Moderator Dr. Jordan Lefebvre steered a lively conversation with Introduced by Tobias Vogt with Cassy Dittman from Education Queensland / Central Queensland Unviersity, James Hinchey from National Rugby League, Laura Jones from Australian Sports Commission , and Steven Rynne from The University of Queensland, showing how shared purpose and mutual respect can spark system-wide innovation. The takeaway: when researchers, leagues and families collaborate, junior sport becomes more inclusive, enjoyable and developmentally right for young players.

Just finished speaking on an NIL panel @GSUN_Network in Brisbane, Australia 🇦🇺 hosted by the University of Queensland. Failed to mention the NIL Clubhouse that I co-host with @DaveMeluni on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Recording our next episode on 17 September.

The Panel "A Regional Partnership Model for Global Impact" came to discuss the Home Games Advantage (HGA) — a bold collaboration using the 2032 Games as a springboard for lasting change. Far more than an Olympic lead-up, HGA is aligning national priorities, athlete pathways, university expertise and government policy across Oceania to drive development, diplomacy, education and economic inclusion. In a conversation rich with regional insight, Jackie Lauff, Sport Matters guided a panel of visionary leaders introduced by Okseon Lee included Véronique Richard The University of Queensland, Dr Caroline Riot Griffith University , Robyn Smith OAM Sport Inclusion Australia, Baklai Temengil - Oceana National Olympic Committee, and Amanda Jenkins Organisation of Sports Federations of Oceania. Their message was clear: 🌏 Legacy isn’t a buzzword—it’s the long-term impact that wouldn’t happen without the Games. 🤝 Strategic collaboration across borders can set a new global benchmark for sport, education and social transformation.

Great to see @lborouniversity Professor Dominic Malcolm presenting his work here on sports concussion at @GSUN_Network in Brisbane 🙌🏻

Our Summit second day opened with a powerful welcome video message from Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, reminded us that inclusion is not a side conversation—it’s the future of sport. Then came a plenary that had the entire room leaning forward: "Championing Change – How Athletes Can Drive Impact in Society". Moderated by @TraceyLeeHolmes - Five remarkable former athletes shared how their sporting journeys became platforms for leadership, how inclusion is key to the future generations and what advice can be given to universities, athletes and federations to help using sport to drive change. We were honoured to welcome: Bridie O'Donnell - Former hour cycling world record holder, physician, SBS Tour de France commentator, author, Executive Director of Public Health Network and Programs for the Victorian Department of Health. Tracy Stockwell OAM, Three-time swimming Olympic gold medalist for USA and former world record-holder in three events and former Brisbane 2032 Board Member. John Eales AM, Former captain of the Australian Rugby World Cup winning team, company founder and director, Athlete Liaison Officer for the Australian Olympic Committee, Cancer Council advocate, Columnist, Australian Financial Review. Mel Marshall MBE, Swimming world championships medalist for team GB, former coach of multiple Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder Adam Peaty, current coach of the Australian Dolphins Swimming team. Bridie Kean PLY, Former Australian wheelchair basketball player and canoeist. Bronze medalist at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, Silver medalist at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. Bridie is an academic and sports administrator including as Deputy Chef de Mission Australian Paralympic Team 2024. Their stories went far beyond podiums—proof that athletic careers can ignite lifelong impact in health, equity and community leadership.