National Recognition for WSYD Moving at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention
WSYD Moving was honoured to be the official charity partner of the 2026 National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, held in Melbourne on 1–2 July.
The convention brought together leaders from local government, health, sport, recreation and community sectors under the theme 'The Next Generation of Leaders', exploring how we can better support young people to participate, lead and shape healthier communities.
As the official charity partner, WSYD Moving received a $5,000 donation to support our work reducing physical inactivity and health inequity across Western Sydney. The donation was accepted by Michael Wilkins, Chairperson of WSYD Moving, on behalf of the organisation.
A major highlight of the convention was the launch of The Next Generation White Paper, which captured the voices of young people aged 12–25 and challenged the sector to rethink how it designs sport, recreation and community opportunities. Rather than viewing young people as the leaders of tomorrow, the report argues they are already shaping communities today and calls for organisations to create systems that are flexible, inclusive, affordable and genuinely co-designed with young people.
Reflecting on the partnership, Martin Sheppard, Founder and Content Curator of the National Sports Convention, said:
“The National Sports Convention is proud to be the Southern Hemisphere’s largest connection point for community participation, bringing together local government, health, sport and community to collectively advocate for best practice on how participation can solve many of the community social injustices and social inequalities. These outcomes meant that our partnership with WSYD Moving was a perfect alignment, with us advocating and sharing best practice, while WSYD Moving is developing the movement locally.”
For WSYD Moving, this message strongly aligns with our own vision. Through our Systems Leadership Program, Local Active Partnerships and our growing cross-sector coalition, we are helping create the conditions where communities and particularly young people can thrive.
Why this matters for Western Sydney
The themes of the convention closely mirror the work already underway through WSYD Moving. Our Systems Leadership Program is developing the next generation of place-based leaders, while our Local Active Partnerships bring together local government, health, education, community organisations and residents to co-design solutions that make it easier for people to be active. Rather than designing programs for communities, we are creating systems that are designed with communities.
The recognition at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention reinforces the importance of collaboration in addressing physical inactivity and health inequity. It also highlights the growing national recognition of the work being led across Western Sydney.
We extend our sincere thanks to Martin Sheppard and the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention for their generosity, partnership and belief in our mission. The $5,000 donation will directly support our ongoing work to build healthier, more active communities across Western Sydney.
The Next Generation is asking us to:
Move from talking to young people to designing with them.
Create flexible, inclusive and affordable ways to participate.
Trust young people with genuine leadership opportunities today—not someday.
The next generation is not disengaged. They are asking for systems that recognise their realities. They want safe, inclusive, affordable and flexible places. They want technology that helps rather than excludes. They want communication that is authentic. They want real leadership opportunities.
