Gamechanger 2026 - Riverland Club Development Workshop

Published 23rd February 2026

Gamechanger is a free, full-day event designed to support committee members, coaches, sports trainers and volunteers by providing practical, relevant learning that can be applied directly within their sport and recreation clubs.

Event Recap

Gamechanger 2026, held on Saturday 28 March at St Francis of Assisi College, brought together volunteers from 20 clubs and community organisations representing 11 different sports for a day focused on strengthening the future of sport and recreation across the Riverland.

The day commenced with opening remarks from the Connected and Active Communities Project Officer, Sport SA, and Mayor Peter Hunter, who welcomed attendees and spoke to the important role volunteers play in sustaining local sport and community groups for our local communities. Throughout the day, volunteers moved between a range of interactive workshop sessions running across the venue. These sessions covered key areas including coaching development, club governance, grant writing, succession planning, volunteer recruitment and retention, child safety, women in sport and food safety.

It was great to see the level of interaction throughout the day, with volunteers and presenters engaging in meaningful conversations and sharing real experiences from their own clubs and organisations. Feedback from attendees was positive, with many highlighting how presenters were able to break down complex concepts into practical, easy-to-understand strategies that they could take back and apply within their own groups. During breaks, attendees also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and the South Australian Sports Medicine Association (SASMA), providing a chance to discuss funding, safety, and broader support available to clubs. The event also created valuable opportunities for networking, with volunteers, clubs, and community groups able to share ideas and build relationships that will support ongoing collaboration across the region.

A highlight of the day was the keynote presentation from AFLW All-Australian and former Port Adelaide captain Janelle Cuthbertson, who shared insights into leadership, high performance, and her journey through elite sport. Her story of resilience, challenges and hard work was inspiring, with many of the lessons shared resonating strongly with volunteers and directly applicable to their roles within community sport.

We extend our thanks to St Francis of Assisi College for hosting the event and for their support in preparing the site, which played a key role in the smooth delivery of the day. Students also ran a coffee café between 8am and 11am, with proceeds supporting Project Compassion, an initiative of Caritas Australia that assists vulnerable and marginalised communities around the world.

We would like to thank all volunteers who attended Gamechanger 2026, along with our presenters, partners and supporting organisations, for contributing to a successful and valuable day for the Riverland community.

Gamechanger 2026 was proudly funded by the Office for Recreation, Sport, and Racing through Sport SA as part of the Festival of Sport and delivered through the Connected and Active Communities Project in partnership with Renmark Paringa Council, Berri Barmera Council, and the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.

For further details contact Travis O'Shaughnessy, Connected and Active Communities Project Officer on 0447 750 529 or toshaughnessy@lwdc.sa.gov.au

Event Information

Gamechanger 2026 will be held at St Francis of Assisi College, Renmark, on Saturday 28 March, and is the Riverland’s flagship club development workshop for sport and recreation volunteers.

Participants can choose the sessions most relevant to their role, allowing for a flexible and tailored experience that meets individual and club needs. The 2026 program features expert-led workshops across a range of key areas impacting local clubs, including:

Grant writing
Club governance (constitutions, policies, meeting structure and committee roles)
Succession planning
Child safety
Food safety
Youth retention and engagement
Women in Sport
Coaching development
Volunteer attraction and retention

We are also proud to welcome former AFLW Port Adelaide captain Janelle Cuthbertson as the Gamechanger 2026 keynote speaker.

Registrations are now open and can be made via Eventbrite here

A free lunch will be provided for all registered participants. Please ensure any dietary requirements are included at the time of registration. The full program schedule and session details are available below, with further information for each workshop provided on the Eventbrite registration page.

Gamechanger provides a valuable opportunity for Riverland volunteers to learn, share ideas and connect with others facing similar challenges, all with the goal of strengthening the sustainability and capacity of local sporting clubs.

Gamechanger is proudly funded by the Office for Recreation, Sport, and Racing through Sport SA as part of the Festival of Sport campaign. The Connected and Active Communities Project is proudly funded by the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and hosted by the three Riverland Councils.

For further details contact Travis O'Shaughnessy, Connected and Active Communities Project Officer on 0447 750 529 or toshaughnessy@lwdc.sa.gov.au