Members Connect In-Person Meetup – ‘Where sport meets health science and medicine’
Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 9:00am
Australian Institute of Sport , ACTJoin Franklin Women members at the Australian Institute of Sport to explore its unique role in Australia’s health and medical research ecosystem.
While best known for training elite athletes, the Australian Institute of Sport also drives an extensive range of research, policy and programs that cross-cut health sciences and clinical care. From better understanding concussion in contact sports, to research into how sex and gender impact physiology and performance, and supporting female coaches to thrive, the work of the AIS transforms cutting-edge research into real-world impact.
Join us for a one-off opportunity to go behind the scenes at AIS to:
- Gain access to four of the AIS’s senior leaders (scroll for their bios) who will:
- Share the work of AIS and how it engages with the health and medical research ecosystem in ACT and beyond
- Explain how they set their research priorities and partnerships
- Share insights into their innovative AIS Female Performance & Health Initiative which seeks to improve female athlete specific knowledge and systems of support.
- Participate in discussions on emerging issues and sector trends with peers.
- Network in an intimate setting with fellow FW members representing research, clinical care, policy and industry, over morning tea.
- If you are still wanting more, after the event AIS are offering FW members an optional 30-minute behind–the–scenes tour of the AIS. Hosted by Tim Kelly, Research and Innovation Manager, Australian Sports Commission the tour will run from 11-11:30am.
Whether you are keen to better understand the breadth of activities and opportunities within the AIS, are looking to build networks with others whose work contribute to sports science and medicine, or you’re a die-hard Olympics or Paralympics fan, this event will provide a fantastic opportunity to get an insider’s look at the AIS.
Members Connect Meetups are FREE for FW members but places are limited to protect our interactive, intimate and inclusive environment – and keep the FW sparkle flowing! If you would like to come along, please RSVP under the ‘Tickets’ section below.
About the Members Connect Meetup series
The Members Connect event series aims to bring together our amazing FW members to strengthen networks and provide opportunities to engage with organisations and individuals who are driving trends and leading innovative programs of work that impacts health.
We know it’s not always easy (or possible!) to attend in-person Franklin Women events due to work schedules, caring responsibilities, travel time, or because crowded event spaces aren’t for you. That’s why our Members Connect events will be hosted across Sydney, Canberra and virtually at different days and times throughout the year – and they are FREE.
Learn more and register for a future Members Connect event here.
2nd Apr 2025
From 9:00am - 11:00am
Australian Institute of Sport
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Tickets
Registration for this event closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 26th March 2025.
Connect with Franklin Women members and join discussions with leaders from the Australian Institute of Sport at this free, members only, event.
Ticket pricing
- Members: $0.00
- Non-member: $0.00
Buy member tickets or buy tickets as guest
Our Guest Speakers
Matti Clements
Matti Clements
Executive General Manager – AIS Performance, Australian Sports Commission
Matti is the Executive General Manager of AIS Performance at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the department responsible for leading and enabling a united high performance system that supports Australian athletes to achieve podium success.
Matti joined the ASC in 2018 as AIS Director of Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement, before establishing a new department, AIS People Development and Wellbeing to prioritise the wellbeing of Australian athletes, coaches and staff. Some of the key resources and programs developed include the Mental Health Referral Network, the Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager Network, and the Wellbeing Health Check.
Matti has been the key driver in uniting 50+ sports and organisations to co-design and develop Australia’s first shared strategy for high performance sport. Officially launched in December 2022, Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy has the vision “we win well to inspire Australians” and is designed to capitalise on the generational opportunity provided by the build-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Matti continues to play a leadership role in this space and is currently serving as Chair of the HP2032+ Strategy Leadership Group, comprising all key leaders of the Australian high performance sport system.
Prior to joining the ASC, Matti was Director of Mental Edge Consulting, specialising in team and organisational culture, wellbeing, performance enhancement, professional development services and support systems for high performance sporting organisations. A qualified psychologist, Matti has over 15 years’ experience working with Australia’s elite athletes and professional sports at both a strategic and operational level, including the AFL and several AFL Clubs, Cricket Australia, Golf Australia, Netball Australia, Tennis Australia, and the Australian Cricketers Association.
Dr Rachel Harris OLY
Dr Rachel Harris OLY
Project Lead Female Performance and Health Initiative (FPHI), Australian Institute of Sport; and Sport and Exercise Physician
Dr Rachel Harris is a Sport and Exercise Physician working in clinical practice at Perth Orthapaedics and Sports Medicine Centre. and is the project lead for the Australian Institute of Sport Female Performance and Health Initiative, and Chief Medical Officer for Swimming Australia. She has worked across a range of sports in the High Performance system including Paralympics, rowing, cricket, water polo and major games.
Miranda Menaspà
Miranda Menaspà
Director, National Performance Support Systems, Australian Institute of Sport
Miranda’s journey in elite sports began as a Sports Physiotherapist, eventually earning a fellowship with the Australian College of Physiotherapists as a Specialist Sport and Exercise Physiotherapist. Over more than a decade, she has contributed to numerous Olympic and Paralympic sports, holding roles as both a physiotherapist and a Performance Support Manager. These experiences have endowed her with a profound appreciation for the significance of collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
As the Director of National Performance Support Systems at the Australian Institute of Sport, Miranda spearheads a team dedicated to enhancing systems and processes across the Australian Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth sport landscapes. Her work emphasizes the creation of cohesive and collaborative networks of world-class Performance Support practitioners and teams, fostering the advancement of cutting-edge knowledge and practices. Additionally, she oversees the AIS Female Performance & Health Initiative, established in 2019 to enhance female-specific knowledge and support systems. Miranda is deeply committed to cultivating a shared vision for a world-leading Performance Support system and aiding the high-performance sector in achieving this goal.
Paolo Menaspà
Paolo Menaspà
Chief Science Officer, Australian Institute of Sport,
Paolo leads teams responsible for research & development, quality assurance, REST (recovery, environment, sleep, travel), and athlete performance health. Paolo obtained his PhD in sport science from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and is an active researcher. He has two decades of international experience working across Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports. Paolo was embedded in National Teams in the preparation for the Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games.