The final SSP webinar for the year was held this morning, with some excellent feedback received and some great discussion on what 2026 looks like for our young and emerging professional network. A summary of discussion details are listed below, along with a link to the recording for Members to access via the Resource Hub on our website.
In this update:
– 2025 Review
– 2026 Planning
– 2026 Membership Update
– Industry Benchmarking Survey Feedback
Feedback from the members at today’s webinar was really positive, with key insights including:
- The webinar content was extremely well received, offering a diverse range of insightful and engaging topics spanning sport operations, governance and strategic practice.
- Participants also valued the ability to revisit sessions through the recorded webinars available on the Resource Hub.
- Members highlighted the high-quality resources provided and the valuable professional connections established with presenters and expert providers.
- The Mentor Program was viewed as highly valuable from both mentee and mentor perspectives. Participants highlighted the quality of support provided, the meaningful leadership development opportunities, the generous sharing of resources and expertise, and the strengthened professional partnerships that emerged through the program.
- Members spoke about the positive impact SSP has had on their practice, noting that the shared experiences of professional development and meaningful collaboration helped foster deeper learning and a greater sense of community across the network.
- The SSP website features were discussed, with feedback provided that the Members Forum remains significantly under-utilised. A range of suggestions were tabled to increase engagement, including more regular prompts for discussion, clearer guidance on how to use the platform and opportunities to showcase best practice or seek peer advice.
Discussion focused on planning for 2026 and identifying ways for School Sport Professionals to continue evolving and delivering meaningful value to its members. Several current or emerging issues were highlighted as potential themes for the 2026 webinar series, with proposed professional learning content to include:
- Social Media changes for children under 16 years of age – impact on Associations & communications.
- Sports law and concussion policies.
- Remuneration structures for support staff and officials.
- Business development and partnerships.
- Expansion on governance and strategy development themes.
- A survey will be distributed early in 2026 seeking additional feedback and guidance on topics of interest. Webinar content will be curated based on the needs of Members for their professional learning.
Building on the success of this year’s inaugural Mentor Program, there was strong interest in consolidating the initiative and creating additional opportunities for professional connection in 2026. An expression of interest form will be released in February, with individual follow-up to support tailored mentor–mentee pairings and maximise program impact.
The proposed in-person state-based forums were warmly received, with members recognising their potential to strengthen existing local networks and foster new connections across both Government and Independent sectors. The viability of each forum will be explored in consultation with key stakeholders within each State and Territory. Further information will be shared following these discussions, along with an invitation for in-person connection and collaboration.
There was strong consensus that pursuing a National Conference in 2026 is both valuable and timely. Initial discussions identified late November as the preferred period for hosting the inaugural event, with Melbourne emerging as the recommended location due to its well-established and highly engaged network. Final dates will be confirmed early next year, followed by the release of expressions of interest for attendees, guest presenters and keynote speakers. Plans at this stage will be to conduct a two-day event, with the venue to rotate throughout the various States / Territories in the coming years.
With the introduction of state-based forums next year, the role of the Advisory Committee will become an important factor in expanding the network and further developing local networks. Details for involvement in the Advisory Committee will be reviewed and consolidated over the coming month or so ahead of seeking expressions of interest early in 2026. Ideally, we would like to see a representative from each State and Territory involved on the Committee.
There was considerable discussion about the potential expansion of SSP to include a dedicated network for Directors of Sport / Heads of Sport working within individual schools. Members noted that several existing professional learning opportunities would be highly beneficial for school-based staff, creating a strong case for developing a parallel network that operates alongside the current model designed for Association-level professionals. This concept will be explored further in the coming months, with a view to a possible launch in the first half of 2026.
Further feedback from both members and non-members is warmly encouraged. As we continue to grow the network and strengthen opportunities for connection and collaboration, insights on how we can enhance our offerings are greatly valued. Please feel free to contact Paddy McKenna via engage@schoolsportprofessionals.au or 0433 282 445.
Members can click on the link below to login and view a copy of the webinar recording.
As part of the 2025 review, members were invited to provide feedback on the current pricing model and to identify any barriers that may limit access to, or the growth of, the SSP membership base. There was strong agreement that the network’s strength lies in broad representation across all States and Territories and across both Government and Independent sectors. Members emphasised that SSP’s core value continues to be the professional connection and shared learning it enables.
A detailed review of the pricing structure will be undertaken in the coming weeks, with any proposed adjustments for 2026 to be announced thereafter. Key considerations will include removing barriers to entry and creating incentives for new members through flexible Individual and Organisation membership options.
A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the industry benchmarking survey. As expected, the responses reflected a wide spectrum of practices and employment conditions across States and Territories, highlighting the diversity of roles and organisational structures within our sector.
As the first survey of its kind, it has already sparked valuable discussion about the varied approaches to employment for Association-level professionals nationwide. A follow-up survey will be conducted in late 2026, with the aim of capturing an even broader cross-section of data and generating deeper insights into the unique landscape of our industry.
To view a copy of the report, click on the link below.
As the year draws to a close, I hope you are able to take some time to reflect on what has been a busy and highly productive period. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to discuss any of the details outlined above or if you have questions as you begin planning for 2026.
Paddy McKenna
Managing Director
School Sport Professionals