
Registrations close 27 July 2025.
7th - 8th August 2025
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
MC & Keynote Speakers

Christina Morrissy
Conference MC
Your host for this year’s conference has worked in our industry before—Christina Morrissy spent her teen years and university days as a lifeguard at the Mandurah Aquatic Centre and now volunteers each summer with Surf Life Saving WA. These days, she’s better known as a television and radio presenter, international MC, and communications coach. Christina co-hosts Destination WA and Innovation Nation TV, and brings her trademark warmth, humour and professionalism to events across the country. She’s proud to be part of the LIWA Aquatics Conference and looks forward to keeping things running smoothly across both days.
Peter Bol
Olympian
Australia's 800-metre runner Peter Bol raced three times in Tokyo for two PBs, two Australian records, and an Olympic final. Peter became the first Australian in 53 years to qualify for the Men’s 800m Final on the track, finishing fourth in an exhilarating and inspirational race.  Born in Sudan, Peter and his family fled the civil war, spending four years in Egypt before arriving in Toowoomba at age 10—an experience he describes as indescribable and comparable only to qualifying for the Olympic Games.  Ambitious and passionate about helping others, Peter is a mentor, coach, and educator with a strong focus on the power of consistent actions. He deeply values exploring the concept of home—sharing the emotions and observations that come with his experiences as a Sudanese Australian.  Peter first wore the green and gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, stepping onto the world’s biggest stage in his first Olympic campaign. Then, in Tokyo 2021, he captured the hearts of a nation with his fearless run in the final. In 2024, he returned for his third Olympic Games, further cementing his legacy as one of Australia's greatest middle-distance runners.  In 2025, Peter made headlines once again by breaking and reclaiming the Australian 800m national record—a title he had previously held—delivering a blistering performance that reaffirmed his place among the world’s elite.  Along the way, he also claimed a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, adding another milestone to his remarkable career."I didn't know if I was going to win, but I knew one thing for certain—that the whole of Australia was watching, and that carried me on."Never has a competitor who came fourth in an extraordinary Olympic final fired the imagination of so many people. But then, Peter Bol is no ordinary athlete; he is so much more, and Australia eagerly awaits the next chapter of his incredible journey.  There are no "overnight sensations." Dig deep into the history of anyone who appears to have shot to stardom, and you'll find a CV of hard work, tenacity, failure, success, setbacks, and relentless perseverance before all of these conspire to thrust them into the spotlight. This is Peter Bol’s story, and he could not hide from the glaring light of achievement over three unforgettable nights at the Tokyo Olympics. His story is not just about running—it’s about resilience, belief, and inspiring the next generation.


John Worsfold
AFL Coach and Captain
John Worsfold is one of the most respected figures in Australian sport, known for his integrity, leadership and success both on and off the field.  He had an AFL career spanning over 34 years, beginning as an 18-year-old when he joined the inaugural West Coast Eagles squad as a player where he played 209 games over 12 seasons. He was the Club Champion in 1988, VFL Team of the Year twice in 1988 and 1990, and twice Best Clubman. John was Captain for 8 years including two Premierships.  He then moved into coaching as an assistant at the Carlton Football Club for two seasons before returning west as the Senior Coach of the West Coast Eagles for 12 years. In this time the Eagles played in two Grand Finals, winning the premiership in 2006. John was awarded the AFLCA Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2011.  Taking a break from coaching in 2014, John was the Chairman of the AFL Coaches Association for two seasons whilst also sitting on the AFL Laws of the Game committee and the AFL Research Committee.  John joined the Adelaide Football Club midway through 2015 to assist after the tragic death of his friend and their Senior Coach Phil Walsh. In 2016, John then accepted the Senior Coach role at the Essendon Football Club in the midst of a crisis regarding supplements and the World Anti-Doping Association. He coached Essendon for 5 years qualifying for the finals twice.  John was an Ambassador for United Way, WA, for over 10 years, sat on the Board of Trustees for the SAS Resources Trust and has been a Director of registered charity On My Feet for the past 10 years.  He was the General Manager- People, Culture and Communications at Emeco Group from 2021 to 2024.  In November 2024, John rejoined the West Coast Eagles as Head of Football, overseeing the AFL, AFLW and WAFL programs.
Blair Evans
Olympian
Blair Evans is a decorated Australian swimmer known for her prowess in middle-distance freestyle and individual medley events. A dual Olympian, she represented Australia at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, earning a silver medal in the 4×200m freestyle relay in 2012. Her Commonwealth Games achievements include a gold medal in the 4×200m freestyle relay in Delhi 2010 and a bronze in the 400m individual medley on the Gold Coast in 2018. Blair has also earned multiple medals at the World Championships and Pan Pacific Championships, showcasing her consistency on the international stage. Overcoming serious injuries throughout her career, including surgery and near retirement, Blair’s resilience and determination have solidified her as one of Australia’s most respected swimming talents.​


Andrew Vlahov OAM
Chair Binar Futures
Andrew’s professional basketball career with the Perth Wildcats spanned 11 years, during which he played over 300 games, secured three championships, and served as team captain from his second season until retirement. A four-time Olympian and recipient of the Order of Australia Medal, Andrew is widely respected for his leadership on and off the court. Now, through his work with Binar, Andrew has found a powerful avenue to combine his passions for basketball and social justice. Binar’s vision is to empower Aboriginal youth to build positive futures for themselves, their families, communities, and culture. Together with Binar Founder Adam Desmond, Andrew is championing the next phase of this vision: a new $12.5 million community sporting hub in Bellevue, designed to reach and inspire the next generation of young leaders.
Adam Desmond
Founder & Executive Director Binar
Adam Desmond, founder of Binar Futures, has been honoured as the Australian Sports Father of the Year 2024, recognised for his exceptional dedication to transforming the lives of more than 2,000 primarily Aboriginal children across Perth. Through Binar Futures, Adam has done far more than introduce young people to the world of sport—he has opened doors to brighter futures. His work is grounded in a deep commitment to guiding young people toward lives filled with hope, pride, and purpose. What began over 15 years ago as a small basketball team of just six players has since grown into a dynamic and thriving community that now engages thousands of children across Western Australia. At the heart of Binar Futures is Adam’s simple yet powerful vision: to create a space where kids can find connection, identity, and belonging—a place where they feel part of something greater than themselves.


Dr Ryan Storr
Diversity + Inclusion researcher and consultant
Dr Ryan Storr is a multi-disciplinary researcher and consultant in diversity and inclusion. He is the founder and director of The Diversity Storr, a diversity and Inclusion consultancy, and a lecturer at the Sport Innovation Research Group at Swinburne University. He is also the co/founder of the charity Proud2Play, which is the peak organisation for LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport and active recreation in Victoria, Australia. He regularly consults and works with sports organisations in Australia and across the globe and recently led a funded research project by RLSA and VicHealth which explored diversity, equity, and inclusion across the aquatic and leisure industry in Victoria.
Ocean Heroes
Luke Hallam
Luke Hallam is a father, surfer and founder who is passionate about providing inclusive access to outdoor physical activity for the neurodiverse community. Luke cofounded Ocean Heroes in 2016, a not for profit that aims to improve the wellbeing of autistic people and their families through surfing. Ocean Heroes has taken more than 11,000 autistic and neurodiverse individuals surfing for free around Australia. Through Luke's work, he was awarded a Social Change Fellowship through the Westpac in 2024 and was a finalist for the Young West Australia of the year in 2018.
