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Elite sporting minds to share leadership lessons with Central Highlands coaches

21 July 2026
Current and aspiring coaches will have a unique opportunity to learn from some of Australia's most accomplished sporting leaders, with the launch of the Central Highlands Coaches Collective.  

Current and aspiring coaches will have a unique opportunity to learn from some of Australia's most accomplished sporting leaders, with the launch of the Central Highlands Coaches Collective.

Three of Australia's most respected sporting figures – World Champion rower and Olympian Hannah Every-Hall OLY, legendary AFL premiership coach Mick Malthouse and acclaimed Paralympic coach and athlete Brad Dubberley – will headline the inaugural event, bringing decades of experience in leadership and high performance.

An initiative of the FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport and Sports Central, the event will mark the official launch of the Central Highlands Coaches Collective, a new regional network dedicated to supporting and connecting local coaches and sports clubs.

Drawing on their experiences at the highest levels of Australian and international sport, the speakers will share practical insights into coaching, building high-performing teams, developing resilient leaders and fostering positive team culture and wellbeing:

  • Hannah Every-Hall is a former Australian Rower, world champion and Olympian and is now General Manager High Performance at the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS)
  • Ballarat-born Mick Malthouse is widely regarded as one of the AFL's greatest coaches, leading more than 700 VFL/AFL games and guiding teams to multiple premierships
  • Brad Dubberley has built a reputation as one of Australia's leading high-performance athletes and coaches, first winning silver in wheelchair basketball at the Sydney 2000 Games – before coaching the Steelers to two Paralympic gold medals

The Collective will bring together local coaches and sporting leaders, encouraging collaboration, connection and the sharing of ideas across sports and communities. 

The event is open to current and aspiring coaches and leaders from the Central Highlands region who are passionate about developing people through sport.

What: Central Highlands Coaches Collective
When: Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 6pm
Where: Geoffrey Blainey Auditorium, Federation University, Chancellor Drive, Mt Helen

Tickets are available now via Eventbrite.

Quotes attributable to FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport CEO Scott Allison

"Coaches play a vital role in shaping both performance – and people. The Central Highlands Coaches Collective is about recognising that impact and building a connected community across our region.”

Quotes attributable to Sports Central Executive Officer Michael Flynn

"This event provides an opportunity for current and aspiring local coaches and community leaders to learn from some of Australia's best sporting minds, and take those ideas back to their clubs, teams and communities.”

Quotes attributable to Professor Rob Aughey, Federation’s Head of Exercise and Sports Science

“Ballarat is home to an outstanding sporting community and a proud history of developing athletes, coaches and leaders. Initiatives like the Coaches Collective help ensure that legacy continues."