SPORTS PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE

Queensland Touch Football (QTF), in connection with the Festival of Touch will host a Sports Performance Conference in 2023.

The QLD Sports Performance Conference will aim to challenge the current thinking of coaches, teachers, and administrators in Queensland, in a way that will educate and develop innovative thinking.

Attendees can expect to hear from an expert panel of leaders from within the touch and greater sporting industry, discussing topics on injury prevention, insights from touch football data analysis and youth development.

Date: Monday 2 December 2024
Location: TBA

This conference is suited to all coaches, teachers, administrators & enthusiasts across all sporting codes.

If you are an Affiliate/School wishing to send more than 3 attendees, please contact the QTF Office (07) 3367 6250 for additional payment options, if required.

$165 (inc GST) per Attendee.

The QLD Sport Performance Conference is all inclusive and the above price includes attending the conference, morning tea and lunch.

Contact the Events Team for more information.

2023 Conference Agenda

Guest Speakers

BEN IKIN

CEO – Queensland Rugby League

Ben is a respected rugby league figure who is passionate about delivering game models, competitions and pathways that drive growth and engagement.

While previously serving as an independent director on the QRL board, Ikin led the Pathways and Performance Committee and was instrumental in the implementation of the National Player Development Framework.

In June 2021, Ikin stepped down from the QRL board and Fox Sports to pursue a new career opportunity with the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League.

In May 2023 Ben resigned from Broncos and returned to Queensland Rugby League to take up the role of CEO.

Prior to embarking on a highly successful career in the media, Ikin played 150 NRL games from 1995-2004 for the Gold Coast Seagulls, North Sydney Bears and Brisbane Broncos.

He was a key member of the Broncos’ premiership-winning team that defeated the Sydney Roosters in the 2000 grand final.

A passionate Queenslander who started his league journey in the Gold Coast junior ranks, Ikin famously became the youngest player in State of Origin history when he was chosen for the Maroons during the 1995 season.

He went onto make 17 State of Origin appearances for Queensland and played two Tests for the Kangaroos. Ikin has also been an assistant coach in the Hostplus Cup with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, and has served on the board of the North Queensland Cowboys.

EUGENIE BUCKLEY

Managing Director – Suiko Consulting

Eugénie is Managing Director of Suiko Consulting, a boutique agency providing specialist advise to the sports, major events and tourism industries.

She has previously held CEO roles at Swimming Australia, Brisbane Roar FC, ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 and the Australian Professional Footballers’ Association. Eugénie’s background is as a sports lawyer and she has held General Manager of Legal & Business Affairs roles for the International Cricket Council and Football Federation Australia and was Head of Legal & Commercial, Rugby World Cup 2003.

Eugénie is a member of the World Aquatics Integrity Unit Supervisory Council and the National Sports Tribunal and an AFC Club Licensing Consultant. Previously she was a member of the international Court of Arbitration for Sport (2000 – 2008) and a Senior Fellow of the University of Melbourne.

Eugénie was a keen touch football player representing UQ Rebels, Queensland and Australia.

JASON BOYD

Queensland Men’s Open Coach & Australian Emus Men’s Open Assistant Coach

Jason is one of Queensland’s most decorated coaches. At the conference, his presentation will touch on being prepared to overcome adversity. His interactive session will explore strategies and mindset shifts that can propel your team to new heights. Jason will touch on themes such as proactive planning, dynamic leadership and how to deal with pressure, which has enabled his teams to successfully navigate challenges and turn setbacks into opportunities. Whether you’re a coach or player, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to create your own winning formula. He will also join a panel alongside Shane Morris where they will discuss pathways from grassroot to elite sport.

Australian Emus Youth 20 Boys Head Coach
2021/22 Australian Emus Youth Program
2023 Australian Emus Youth Program

QLD Open Men’s Head Coach
2022 State of Origin – Series Winners 2-1 Over NSW
2020/21 State of Origin – Series Winners 3-0 Over NSW 

QLD 20s Men’s Head Coach
2018 State of Origin – Series Winners 3-0 Over NSW 
2016 State of Origin – Series Winners 3-0 Over NSW
2014 State of Origin – Series Winners 2-1 Over NSW
Undefeated on SOO Series Winners against NSW – 5 Campaigns.

NRL Touch Premiership Head Coach
2018 Premier (Broncos 6 – Tigers 5)
2019 (6th Place)

UQ Rebels Men’s Premier Head Coach
BMTA Metro Cup – 13 Years

EMMA ARMFIELD

Head of Medical – QLD Touch Football

Emma has been a Physiotherapist for 17 years, along with 3 other undergraduate degrees.

She has always been an avid runner and touch football player, who wanted to help her fellow athletes and footballers. In 2013 – 2014 she completed a double master’s degree in “Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy” which provided her with the opportunity to work in the elite arena. 

She has since worked for NRL, Surf Life Saving Australia, Touch Football Australia, and has been working for QLD Touch Football for over 10 years.

Emma’s day job has her working alongside neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to help ensure patients who need surgery can have it, and those that do not need surgery, get the most up to date treatment.

With a passion for educating all ages and abilities about up-to-date physiotherapy evidence, Emma is also a university tutor for both undergraduate, and post-graduate, and presents these topics on nation-wide webinars for the physiotherapy profession. 

At the Sports Performance Conference, Emma will be showing evidence behind how and why you can put “your” athlete first. 

SHANE MORRIS

Game Development Manager – Dolphins NRL

Shane will join a panel with Jason Boyd where they will discuss pathways from grassroot to elite sport. 

With over 15 years’ experience in the sport development arena across the globe, Shane is a panelist with expert insights. While working in the NRL, Fiji Rugby League and Papua New Guinea Rugby League Football, Shane has established countless school and national development programs amongst many other achievements. Currently, Shane works as the Game Development Manager at Dolphins NRL and was awarded Dolphins Club Person of the Year in 2023.

Fiji Rugby League:

  • Volunteered his time to set up School Rugby League and a National Development Program
  • Tour of South East QLD with the Fiji NRL U15’s team
  • Head Coach of Fiji Bati from 2004-2008, leading Fiji to semi finals for the first time in 2008

NRL:

  • NRL Game Development with Melbourne Storm & Brisbane Broncos
  • Established Secondary Schools Rugby League program

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League:

  • Established school programs across the country
  • Implemented the first National School Development Program
  • Tour of South East QLD with the National Schoolboy’s team in 2012 & 2013
  • Coached Port Moresby Vipers to Digicel Cup Champions
  • Set up PNG Hunters to enter the QLD Rugby League competition

More guest speakers announced soon.

2022 Guest Speakers & Schedule (2023 Coming Soon)

SCHEDULE TIME

Arrival /Registration

8:00 am

Session One
Welcome & House Keeping
8:25 am

Welcome 

Troy Morgan QTF Chair & Greg Denny QTF CEO

8:30 am

City of Gold Coast

9:05 am

Coach Developer
Lucas O’Ceallachain Coach Development Lead - QLD - Australian Institute of Sport

9:10 am

Community Coaching Framework 

Kate Corkery Deputy General Manager Industry Capability Sport Division  

Australian Sports Commission 

10:10 am

Morning Tea

10:30 am

Session Two

Using GPS Data to train smarter 

Jon Easdown - Technical Consultant - Polar Electro Aus

10:50 am

Medical Update
Emma Armfield

11:30 am

Priority Coaching
Peter Bell -  Education Consultant TFA & Head Coach Team England Touch Football

12:00 pm

Trends of The Game

Chris Loth - Queensland 20 Men's Head Coach

12:40 pm

Lunch

1:20 pm

Session Three

The Touch Athlete

Steve Nance - The Fit Lab

1:50 pm

Building Leadership within the team

Tony Tradd - TFA Hall of Fame and current NSW High Performance Lead  

2:25 pm

Key Note Speaker - 

Trevor Hendy - 'The Greatest Ironman in the World" Australian Sport Hall of Famer

3:00 pm

Conference finishes

3:55 pm

LUCAS O'CEALLACHAIN

Coach Development Lead – QLD – Australian Institute of Sport

Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin is a coach with over 20 years global experience in high performance sport as an athlete, coach and leader. His areas of expertise are coach development, high performance strategy and athlete career transitions.

He graduated with an MSc in Sport and Exercise Management from UCD in 2011 and holds diplomas in sports law, sports psychology, sports journalism and strength and conditioning. In addition, he holds qualifications in Suples training systems, psychological safety, motivational interviewing and Lego Serious Play.

Before relocating to Australia to work with the Australian Institute of Sport he oversaw Wrestling Canada’s high performance program where he led them to a record breaking 4 medal world championship performance. His personal values are play, love and care and these come to the fore in his coaching.

He is currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance which focuses on wellbeing as a performance driver.  

 

JONATHON EASDOWN

Polar Electro 

Jon is currently engaged with Polar Electro as a sport science/technical advisor, where he supports consumers, coaches and high performance staff on maximising the value from Polar technology. He also contributes technical content, reviewing recent advancements and hot topics in sport science, strength and conditioning, and technology.

Jon has been involved in sport science and coaching since 2001, when he completed his undergraduate degree in Sport Science at the university of Luton, in the UK. He also holds a masters degree in strength and conditioning through Edith Cowan University in Perth, WA. 

Alongside working with Polar Jon is a personal trainer and an accredited strength and conditioning coach with both the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association and the United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association. 

 

PETER BELL

TFA Hall of Fame 

TFA Hall of Fame inductee, Queensland Men’s Open representative player, 20 years Head
Coach Australian Women’s Open team (including 4 world cup titles, numerous
Trans Tasman titles at youth & Opens level,  and over 100 Internationals as Head Coach)!)

One of only 2 people in Touch with the Graduate Diploma in Elite Sports Coaching.
Thirty-five years PE teacher, Director of Qld All Schools since 1983,
foundation and Life member of Qld Secondary Schools Touch (1984), Australian
Secondary Schools Touch (1986), and Qld School Sport. Currently Education
consultant for TFA and Head Coach Team England Touch Football.

 

TREVOR HENDY

“The Greatest Ironman in the World” Australian Sport Hall of Famer 

Trevor Hendy is an international Keynote Speaker, Director of the LifeChanger Foundation for youth and author of The Bootcamp for the Soul. He is a highly renowned Soul Coach, guiding some of the World’s leading CEO’s, community leaders, actors, musicians and athletes. Known as one of Australia’s fittest ever athletes and greatest Ocean Ironmen, he has been inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame and honoured as a member of the Order of Australia for his services to the community. His motto is “bring it into now and never under estimate the power of who you are”. 

 

CHRIS LOTH

Queensland 20 Men’s Head Coach

Chris Loth is a high school HPE teacher at Cavendish Road SHS in Brisbane with over 20 years of teaching experience, and he is also part of their successful Touch Football Academy. A current Elite Coach, Chris is the Head Coach of the Men’s Program at the Southern Storm club in Brisbane, as well as the South QLD Sharks Men’s Open Coach for NTL. He was most recently the coach of both the Queensland Men’s Under 20s team at the State of Origin and the QLD Secondary Schools Touch Under 18 Boys team at the NYC. Chris is also a current Australian Youth Coach and will take the national Under 18s Mixed team into next years Youth Trans Tasman event. Chris is also a committee member of both the Southern Storm Touch Club and Queensland Secondary Schools Touch, as well as being a Technical Panel member for the South Queensland Sharks.

STEVE NANCE

Head of High Performance – The FitLab 

Steve Nance is a well-respected Strength and Conditioning Coach who has worked with many different sporting team within Australia and overseas throughout his career. Steve started his journey in Sydney, Graduating from Sydney University with a Bachelor in Education, following on to complete is Masters in Education at the University of Texas on a scholarship. Steve was a Secondary School Teacher at Grafton SH, Stuartholme and Ipswich Grammar. Heading into his Strength and Conditioning career, Steve worked at the Brisbane Broncos 3 times throughout a 10 year period and the Cowboys in 1994-95. Steve then worked for the Wallabies from 1998- 2000 which included the World Cup, Bledisloe Cup, TriNations, Cook Cup and the Mandela Cup. Steve then headed overseas to work for ASM in France as both the Head Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach from 2000 – 2002, Bordeaux Begles France from 2002 – 2003, Queensland Red 2005, Fulham FC from 2006-2009 and Leeds Rugby from 2008-2012. Steve is now our Head of High Performance here at the Fit Lab and has been since 2017.

 

TONY TRAD

TFA Hall of Fame & NSW High Performance Lead

Tony Trad is a TFA Hall of Fame inductee and is the most capped Australian Coach. He’s also a 5 x World Cup Winning Coach, successful State of Origin Coach, the New South Wales Men’s Open Jubilee Coach and is currently the High Performance Chair and Lead of New South Wales Touch Association. 

Trade Show / Expo

With over 100 Touch Football Coaches and Sport Enthusiasts in one place, get your brand in front of the heart of Touch Football in Queensland.

If you are interested in attending, contact the Events Team for more information.