Held on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, the WA Sport Industry Conference, in partnership with the WA State Government, brought together thought leaders, athletes, and changemakers to explore the future of sport in Western Australia. From kicking off the day with a cultural immersion led by SportWest's Cultural Navigation Lead, Sharon Wood-Kenney to keynote insights from Dom Sheldrick on embracing vulnerability as a key to psychosocial safety and releasing potential, the day was packed with inspiration and practical takeaways.
Panel discussions tackled key issues including integrity in sport, sport experience program design, and the rising costs of community participation. Sessions like “The Paywall on Play” and “Designing for All” sparked important conversations around the accessibility and equity of sport.
Julian Pace from Happiness Co closed the day with a powerful focus on achievement, longevity, and mental wellbeing, reinforcing sport’s role in supporting healthier, happier lives.
The conference echoed many of True Sport’s core themes, including mental health, respectful relationships, integrity and the sport experience. Sessions like Embracing Vulnerability: A Key to Psychological Safety & Releasing Potential; 'Positioning WA as a Global Sporting Event Destination Built on Integrity, Impact and Innovation; 'Why the Sport Experience Matters'; 'From Policy to Practice: Embedding Integrity in Every Level of Sport and Achievement and Longevity’ demonstrated how sport can lead the way in creating safe, inclusive, and values-driven environments.
The conference expo featured True Sport-aligned organisations including Starick, The Mental Health Project, Reconciliation WA, Sport Integrity Australia, and the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport. Our partners each showcased resources and initiatives that support True Sport's initiatives in mental health and wellbeing, child safeguarding, cultural education, respectful relationships and sideline behaviour.
On behalf of SportWest, we extend our sincere thanks to all who attended the 2025 WA Sport Industry Conference, our partners and to the WA State Government for their valued collaboration in making this event possible. Your engagement, insights, and enthusiasm helped transform the day into a powerful celebration of sport’s ability to foster healthier, more inclusive, and values-driven communities throughout Western Australia.
