Speakers
The 2009 Evolution of the Athlete Conference hosted an impressive selection of speakers and contributors all there to inspire, inform and help delegates.
Speakers were selected from a wide range of backgrounds and specialities to offer their perspectives on sport performance, coaching and athlete development.
Keynote speakers
Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of NRL team Melbourne Storm and NSW State of Origin Coach will present Keynote #1: Leadership in Elite Sport. Craig is regarded as one of the best, if not the best coach in the NRL today. He is renowned for his passion, dedication and commitment to the sport and his club. His work at Melbourne Storm has seen the club evolve from a fractured team into one based on professionalism, accountability and sheer hard work.
John Fitzgerald
John is the Optus Davis Cup AUS Captain, Tennis Australia. He will deliver Keynote #2: Managing Individuals on Winning Teams. John took over the reigns as captain of the Optus Australian Davis Cup team from John Newcombe in 2001 and has led Australia to two finals since then: 2001 where they lost to France, and 2003 where they were triumphant over Spain.
Darren Flanagan
Darren is a Mines Explosive Specialist and will talk about developing mental fitness through Keynote #3: Applying Mental Toughness – The Beaconsfield Mine Disaster. Darren was the explosives expert called to save Todd Russell and Brant Webb from the collapsed Beaconsfield Mine in Tasmania.
Glenn Stewart
Glenn will deliver Keynote #4: Developing the Learning Environment in Sport. Glenn is the High Performance Manager at AFL Club, the West Coast Eagles. Glenn manages and oversees the fitness and medical areas of the Club and has initiated research into football-related areas of physiology, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Dr. Daniel Gucciardi
Dr Gucciardi is from the Curtain University of Technology in Western Australia and will present Keynote #5: Developing Mental Toughness covers. Daniel is a leading authority on how to develop and measure mental toughness in athletes. He has developed the Australian Football Mental Toughness Inventory, hailed as the only sound measure of mental toughness in existence.
Pat Howard
Pat Howard is the ultimate sportsman turned sports administrator turned businessman. He will present Keynote #6: Performance in Sport vs. Performance in Business. With over 10 years as a professional rugby player for the likes of the Australian Wallabies, QLD Reds, ACT Brumbies, Leicester Tigers and Clermont Ferrand in France before moving into coaching and administration roles, Pat has deep insights into all aspects of professional sport.