GOVERNANCE FORUM

Vision to Reality - Strategic Planning in Victorian Sport

About the Session

This event kicks off Vicsport’s 2026 Governance Forum Series and the launch of Vicsport’s new Strategic Plan. In this engaging panel event, we will explore how sport leaders are shaping strategy with clarity and courage while also translating vision into action and driving change in a challenging but thriving sports sector.

Attendees will leave with inspiration, insights and tools to guide their own strategic planning journeys.

DATE: Tuesday 10 February 2026

TIME: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

LOCATION: VIS/Lakeside Stadium 
                    1/31 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park VIC

Panel

Moderator:

• Paul Kennedy – Journalist, Author & Broadcaster
  • Paul is a respected storyteller and sports broadcaster with deep roots in community sport. His extensive experience across all levels of the sector enables him to guide a compelling and relatable discussion, bridging elite insights with grassroots realities.

Our Panellists:

• Jason Hellwig – Vicsport Chair and Swimming Victoria CEO
  • Jason brings deep experience in sport leadership and governance, having led organisations at both national and state levels. As Chair of Vicsport and CEO of Swimming Victoria, he has recently overseen the development of our peak bodies strategic plan, and many other strategic initiatives - making him well informed on our current challenges and opportunities and well placed to speak on how vision can be translated into action.
• Nicole Livingstone – Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) CEO
  • Nicole is a well known and admired figure in our sporting community. Currently, she's leading delivery of the new vision for one of Australia’s most high-performing sporting institutions, having just launched the new VIS Strategic Plan. Her insights will help us explore how sport is navigating change, aligning purpose, and building long-term impact.
• Mark Zucco – Strategy & Insights Director at Gemba
  • Mark works with leading sports organisations across Australia on strategy, insights, and organisational transformation. He brings a data-informed and industry-wide perspective on how good planning drives performance, relevance, and sustainability
• Mick Coyne - Participation Advisor at Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
  • Mick works with sports across Australia to design and implement Play Well participation strategies, supporting organisations to grow, retain and diversify participation. His experience brings a contemporary, evidence-informed perspective on strategic planning that is directly relevant to community and participation-focused sport, complementing both elite and governance-led strategic approaches.

Agenda

• 4:00 pm -  Panel Discussion
   
  • Moderated Panel: Exploring how strategy is really developed and activated in sport
  • Short Case Study Shares: Strategic planning journeys from Vicsport, VIS and Gemba
  • Live Audience Q&A
    
    
• 5:00 pm - Networking and Refreshments

Costs

• Members: FREE
• Non-members: $20

Check our list of current members if you are not sure which category you fall under, or email admin@vicsport.com.au. 

Contact: 
Ebony McQuinn
Events & Membership Coordinator
admin@vicsport.com.au