Australian Athletics invites Coaches, Teachers, Officials, and Athletes at every level, community and pathway to the 2026 National Coaching Conference (AANCC) and Women in Coaching and Leadership Day.
Join us for three days of learning, connection, and future-focused coaching. This is a must attend event bringing together coaches from across Australia and around the world to connect, learn and lead the future of athlete development in athletics.
Headlining the conference as a keynote speaker for the 2026 conference is Olympic champion, Joanna Hayes.
Joanna Hayes is one of the most accomplished figures in global track and field. An Olympic gold medallist in the 100m hurdles at Athens 2004, she set an Olympic record and finished that season ranked world number one. Her success on the track has translated into an exceptional coaching and leadership career, developing Olympians, World Championship medallists, and NCAA champions, including Sydney McLaughlin, Rai Benjamin, and Jasmine Jones. In 2024, she was named USA Track & Field Coach of the Year and is currently the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at UCLA.
Renowned for building high-performance cultures and translating Olympic experience into practical, athlete-centered coaching, Joanna brings rare credibility and insight into what it takes to succeed in modern sport.
Hosted at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October 2026, the conference will explore future-ready coaching. Expect leading national and international experts, strong opportunities for connection, and real-world learning that spans participation through to high performance.
This is an event not to be missed. Registrations are now open.
