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Together for a healthier world

Youth wellness and high-performance pathways conference

WHX Thrive
Congress Agenda
Day one
Day two

Theme: Building a safer, smarter and more sustainable future for young athletes

3rd September 2025, Auditorium 2, CTICC , Cape Town, South Africa

Overview

The youth wellness and high-performance pathways conference is dedicated to empowering the next generation of african athletes. This high-impact programme will explore how policy, science, technology and culture intersect to shape youth sport development. Through a mix of inspiring stories, research-driven sessions and expert panels, delegates will gain insights into safeguarding, performance optimisation and the evolving ecosystem of school and varsity sport.

Benefits of attending:

  • Learn evidence-based strategies to prevent burnout and injury in young athletes
  • Discover how AI, data and genomics are transforming talent identification and development
  • Hear firsthand stories from young athletes and their families on navigating high-performance pathways
  • Engage with policymakers shaping the future of school and varsity sport across Africa
  • Network with leading practitioners, researchers and administrators driving youth sport transformation
  • Explore practical frameworks to make youth sport safer, more inclusive and sustainable
Key Themes Explored:
  • The role of sport in nation-building and social cohesion
  • Youth athlete mental health and burnout prevention
  • Nutrition and recovery strategies for developing athletes
  • Genomics and digital biomarkers in youth performance
  • The evolution of varsity sport and talent pathways
  • Reflections and lessons learned from experienced practitioners
Who Should Attend?
  • School principals, teachers, and youth coaches
  • Policymakers and sport federation administrators
  • Sports scientists and strength & conditioning coaches
  • Physiotherapists and youth health professionals
  • Parents and guardians of young athletes
  • Tech innovators in wearables and performance analytics
  • Academics and researchers in sports development
  • NGOs and development agencies supporting youth sports
  • Athletes and student leaders

Agenda

3rd September 2025

Session 1:
The future of school sport in africa
Moderator: Bryan Habana
09:00
Opening Address
Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, Chief Specialist, Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Director SportsMed Alliance, South Africa

09:10
Inspiring the Next Generation – The Role of Sport in Nation-Building
09:25
From playing with cars to driving cars - My journey
Mika Abrahams, F3 driver, motorsport and Denish Abrahams, mother, Johannesburg, South Africa
09:45
Panel Discussion:
The future of school sport in africa – Policy, access & high-performance pathways
Moderator: Bryan Habana

·       Dr Marc Hardwick, CEO, Guardian, Durban, South Africa

·       Steven Ball, Director and Acting CEO, TuksSport, Pretoria, South Africa

·       Mika Abrahams, F3 driver, Motorsport, and Denise Abrahams, Mother, Johannesburg, South Africa

·       Tom Dawson, Performance and Team Coach, Squibb, Cape Town, South Africa

Session 2:
Athlete well-being & performance
Session Chair: Dr Phathokuhle Zondi
10:30
Session overview and introduction of speakers
Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, Chief Specialist, Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Director SportsMed Alliance, South Africa
10:35
Preventing burnout in young athletes – Mental & physical well-being
Dr Kirsten Van Heerden, Clinical & Sport Psychologist, Newton Agency, Umhlanga, South Africa
10:50
Nutritional strategies & supplements for developing athletes
Zeenat Simjee, Consultant Dietitian, Cape Town, South Africa
11:05
Creating Safe Spaces: A Critical Factor in Athlete Wellbeing
Dr Marc Hardwick, CEO, Guardian, Durban, South Africa
11:20
Enhancing performance & recovery in youth sport
Jarred Marsh, Head of Strength & Conditioning, St John’s College, Johannesburg, South Africa
11:50
Panel discussion:
Athlete well-being & performance

 

  • Jarred Marsh, Head of Strength & Conditioning, St John’s College, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Dr Marc Hardwick, CEO, Guardian, Durban, South Africa
  • Zeenat Simjee, Consultant Dietitian, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Janesh Ganda, Director, SportsMed Alliance, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Dr Kirsten Van Heerden, Clinical & Sport Psychologist, Newton Agency, Umhlanga, South Africa

 

 

12:30
Session 3:
Networking break & visit to the exhibtion
Session Chair: Dr Janesh Ganda
13:30
The role of AI & data in school sport – Talent identification & Injury prevention
Nial Naidoo, New venture sports manager, research contracts & innovation, university of cape town, Cape Town, South Africa
13:50
Peaking with tech: How XR and wearables are optmising decision-making and high-performance pathways
Habib Noorbhai, Professor, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
14:05
The ‘contextual reality’ of our athletes and the influence it has on how we support and develop our athletes in Africa
Dr Shaundre Jacobs, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
14:20
The role of genomics and digital biomarkers in youth athlete devleopment and health
Dr Glen Hagemman, Medical Doctor, Somerset West, South Africa
14:35
Panel discussion:
  • Nial Naidoo, New Venture Sports Manager, Research Contracts & Innovation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Mika Abrahams, F3 driver, Motorsport, and Denish Abrahams, Mother
  • Dr Shaundre Jacobs, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
  • Dr Glen Hagemman, Medical Doctor, Somerset West, South Africa
  • Habib Noorbbhai, Professor, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Gio Aplon, Former South African Rugby Union Player, South Africa
15:00
Session 4:
20/20 Hindsight - Lessions from the rearview
Panel Discussion: If I could go back – Reflections Panel
  • Anrune Wyers, Para-Athlete/ Teacher/Mom, South Africa
  • Geraldine Pillay- Viret, 2004 Olympian, Speed and agility developer (Sprint Coach) and Motivational Speaker, South Africa
16:00
Closing remarks
Dr Janesh Ganda
WHX Thrive
Congress Agenda
Day one
Day two
Thrive by WHX
Cape Town, South Africa
Opening times

Tuesday, 2 Sep: 9am - 6pm

Wednesday, 3 Sep: 9am - 5pm

Thursday, 4 Sep: 9am - 4pm

Contact us

WhatsApp (Message only): +20 223226982
[email protected]

Phone: +20 223226904
Support hours: 9am-5pm Egypt time, Sunday to Thursday.

About us

World Health Expo is the world's leading healthcare platform for deeper learning, building relationships and doing business across the healthcare ecosystem.

Our commitment to data privacy

WHX is committed to safeguarding your privacy and will never sell or provide any personal data (including email, phone, address) to any third parties. Any third party claiming to sell or have access to attendee information should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.

Events
Discover 15 international exhibitions
Conferences
Learn from industry leaders and pioneers
Insights & trends
Connecting you to ideas from the best minds in healthcare
Sustainability
Our commitment to hosting eco-friendly healthcare events around the world
About
How WHX connects the global healthcare community
Newsletter
Get the latest updates, trends and insights from WHX
About us

World Health Expo is the world's leading healthcare platform for deeper learning, building relationships and doing business across the healthcare ecosystem.

Our commitment to data privacy

WHX is committed to safeguarding your privacy and will never sell or provide any personal data (including email, phone, address) to any third parties. Any third party claiming to sell or have access to attendee information should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.

Events
Discover 15 international exhibitions
Conferences
Learn from industry leaders and pioneers
Insights & trends
Connecting you to ideas from the best minds in healthcare
Sustainability
Our commitment to hosting eco-friendly healthcare events around the world
About
How WHX connects the global healthcare community
Newsletter
Get the latest updates, trends and insights from WHX
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