May 2026

Making Netball Engaging and Inclusive in the Primary Years

NEW NETBALL FOR PRIMARY PL EVENT IN VICTORIA!

This engaging practical session will provide teachers and school coaches a taster of the new and improved Sporting Schools Netball Primary Program (Foundation to Year 6), launched through Sporting Schools in 2026. This program has undergone testing in schools, and input from a range of stakeholders to be more engaging and inclusive, and curriculum aligned.

Gain insight into how Netball Australia has approached modifications to traditional netball to add to your toolkit when delivering Netball. Delivered by Jess Baddeley, National Netball Schools Manager, feel confident to deliver a Sporting Schools Netball Primary Program to your students. Learn about game and equipment modifications to make netball more inclusive and developmentally appropriate. You will be walked through the range of resources available within the Sporting Schools Netball Primary product to support teaching and learning within Netball.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3RD, 4PM - 5.30PM

STATE NETBALL CENTRE, PARKVILLE

National President’s Update - Russell Brown LMACHPER

Celebrating National Volunteers Week

It is my great pleasure to present this President’s Report in recognition of National Volunteer Week, and to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our leaders, members and volunteers across ACHPER.

This week provides an important opportunity to celebrate the individuals who generously give their time, energy, and expertise to support health, physical education, recreation and their associated areas in our schools, tertiary institutions, communities, and professional networks. The strength of ACHPER lies in its people, and we are fortunate to be supported by a passionate and committed volunteer base that continues to drive our mission forward.

Throughout the past year, our volunteers have played a vital role in delivering professional learning, supporting events and conferences, contributing to curriculum development, and advocating for quality health and physical education across Australia. Their efforts ensure that ACHPER remains a leading voice in promoting active and healthy living and evidence-based practice.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge those who have contributed at the state, territory and national levels, such as committee leaders and members, presenters, mentors, and event organisers, whose work sometimes happens behind the scenes but has a profound impact on our profession. Your dedication not only supports your colleagues but also enhances outcomes for learners and communities nationwide.

Volunteering strengthens connections, builds capacity, and fosters a sense of shared purpose. The collective efforts of our volunteers exemplify the values of collaboration, leadership, and service that underpin ACHPER.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting and recognising our volunteers, creating meaningful opportunities for engagement, and continuing to build a vibrant and inclusive professional community. We encourage all members to consider how they might contribute, whether through mentoring, presenting, or participating in our initiatives.

On behalf of ACHPER, I extend my sincere thanks to all our volunteers. Your contributions are deeply valued and truly appreciated. Russell Brown President and Chair of the National Board of ACHPER Australia

With our May Annual General Meeting fast approaching, we will be hosting Branch Presidents and Executive Staff in Adelaide for the National Representatives Forum and Annual General Meeting this weekend.

As a part of the AGM, we invite ACHPER's incredible Fellows and Life Members to attend a social function on Saturday, 23rd May and Life Members to the AGM itself as observers on the 24th May.

Please email me at russell.brown@flinders.edu.au to secure your invitation to these events.

Russell Brown LMACHPER FACHPER

ACHPER National President

Come and see us at the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention 1-2 July!

The National Sports and Physical Activity Convention is back again in July and ACHPER is proud to be an exhibitor and collaborator. The value of the convention to you as professionals working in health and physical education, sports and recreation is enormous. You can meet face to face with the collaborators who make your work life and recreational life easier and more productive, in terms of highly relevant products, services, and programs. We met with people and companies as diverse as automated line marking, to sports uniform suppliers, to novel games and playing courts, to video analysis hardware and software..the list goes on. We think it's worth your time and we hope to see you there!

ACHPER will have an exhibition booth in the main Expo area. Come and say hello to our friendly staff and catch up on all the latest offerings! Entry to the Expo is free over both days.

You can check out the full convention program here: https://nationalsportsconvention.com.au/program/

Use ACHPER26 Industry Partner discount code to book tickets to the National Sports and

Physical Activity Convention (Melb) here

We look forward to seeing you there!

Three Cheers for Volunteers

Three cheers for the volunteers who help keep our communities active, connected, and inspired!

Across Australia, ACHPER and its branches are incredibly grateful for the volunteers who support all Australians lead healthier and more active lives.

Your contribution helps create lasting impact across schools, sport, health, and communities.

Thank you for all that you do.

THANK YOU

#3cheersforvolunteers

Coming Soon - New Resources for Snow Australia

Coming soon! Two 'super cool' new resources from Snow Australia:

Snow Skills is a curriculum‑aligned, off‑snow physical literacy program, delivered through two resources:

Freestyle Ninja Circuit for Years 5-6

Freestyle Park Circuit for Years 7-8

The program is supported by high-quality resources, including clear activity posters to guide students at each station, alongside detailed lesson plans and support videos—making it easy for teachers to deliver with confidence.

Check them out here: https://www.snow.org.au/snow-skills

ACHPER PODCAST - Episode 10

Using a whole school approach to build effective relationships between students, teachers and wider community

LISTEN HERE

Joel Richardson is Head of Health and Physical Education at St Edmunds College, Canberra, a Year 4-12 all-boys school. St Edmunds is a Catholic School in the Tradition of Edmund Rice, it educates young men spiritually, academically, socially, physically and creatively in a compassionate Catholic context.

Joel discusses how he skilfully builds relationships with his students and emphasises that relationships between students, teachers and parents means ‘everything’ at the school. Relationship building is considered a continual process from when boys enrol to when they leave.

Joel has some incredible techniques including advising teachers to ‘flip’ the conversation, by asking a question rather than ‘telling’ students what to do and to challenge students to be the best they can be.

A must listen.

On the Radar

Go to the ACHPER website to find a selection of activities to

get your family moving together

State Events Calendar and Membership for 2026

Click your state or territory to see upcoming events and/or become a member:

ACHPER Australia is proud to nationally partner with Tennis Australia, the Australian Sports Commission as a Play Well Affiliate and with Netball Schools.

As always, free to share the ACHPER Advocate with your networks. We welcome new members, readers and supporters at any time.

ACHPER Australia recognises the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which we live and work and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, especially within our ACHPER membership, schools and HPE communities, partners and staff.

ACHPER Inc | www.achper.org.au