Speakers

Prof. Patricios has been in sports medicine practice since 1996. He is currently Director of Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery in Johannesburg and Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg where he leads the Wits Sport and Health (WiSH) Research Group. He holds fellowships in sport and exercise medicine from South Africa, the UK and Ireland.

Jon is founder and Director of Sports Concussion South Africa, sports concussion consultant to World Rugby, a board member of the international Concussion in Sports Group and Co-chair of the scientific committee for the International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport. He is co-lead author of the 2023 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport.

Topic

Safer Athletes: Advancements in Concussion Management and Athlete Safety

Rezana Hoosain is the resident psychologist for student-athletes at Wits Sport providing psychological (personal and sport related), career planning and academic support to Wit’s student-athletes. This position fuels her passion for sport and people development. She holds a Master’s degree in psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand and believes in lifelong learning, she completed a life coaching certificate and is currently completing a PhD in the field of sports coaching.

Outside of her professional life, Rezana enjoys reading, running, yoga and she enjoys most sport watching or playing.

Topic

Balancing the Mind and Mission: Psychological Perspectives on Academic Support in High-Performance Sporting Environments. 

Louise is a dedicated PhD candidate with a key focus on adolescent wellness, currently serving as the Lead Sport Scientist at St Stithians. With a background in mental and performance coaching, she works at the intersection of athletic performance, psychological well-being, and holistic development. She is passionate about youth empowerment and sustainable wellness, she is leading the design and implementation of integrated sport and wellness strategies across campus to support both individual and team growth.

Having had played sport at the highest level, represented South Africa at National level for  Hockey,  as well as work with top sportsmen and women across sporting codes such as the SA Women's Hockey Team, Wits Rugby Varsity Cup Team, professional golfers, comrades runners, elite gymnasts and athletes. She has incredible insight into the physiological and psychological aspects of sport performance. 

Topic

Forward Thinking: Enhancing Cognitive Agility and Decision-Making Under Pressure in the Future of High-Performance Sport

Warren Engelbrecht is a sport industry professional with a unique blend of experience across the business, performance and operational dimensions of professional sport. He has held key roles in several leading organizations, including Orlando Pirates FC, Stellenbosch University and the South African Football Association, contributing to national and elite teams.

Warren holds a Master’s degree in Sport Science from Stellenbosch University, an MBA in Sports Management from the Real Madrid Graduate School and a Certificate in Player Care from the Player Care Group.

Topic

The Support Gap: What Every 足球竞彩app排名 Member Wishes their club knew 

LJ Swart is the Founder and Managing Director of Jester Sports & Entertainment, a leading sponsorship and commercial rights agency in South Africa. He leads the national sponsorship portfolios for powerhouse brands like Castle Lager, WeBuyCars, and SPAR, with a proven track record of turning sporting properties into commercially valuable brand platforms.

With a sharp focus on unlocking the full commercial potential of sports brands, LJ brings strategic clarity, emotional intelligence, and creative execution to every partnership — from elite rugby shows and school sports to national campaigns and community-led activations.

Topic

What the Future Holds : Unlocking the Commercial Value of Your Sporting Brand

Taren Naidoo is a distinguished South African sports scientist and strength & conditioning expert, specializing in elite hockey. With nearly a decade of experience, she has held pivotal roles with both South Africa’s national men’s and women’s hockey teams—first as Head Hockey Sports Scientist and S&C specialist, and more recently as a Scientific Advisor to Hockey India’s senior teams

Her academic foundation includes a Master’s in Sports Science from the University of KwaZulu?Natal. She currently serves as an Associate Lecturer in Exercise Science & Sports Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand, while also contributing to performance programs at Next Point Tennis, currently completing her PhD at Wits University.

Originally from KwaZulu?Natal, Taren has built a reputation for integrating advanced analytics, diagnostics, and modern training methodologies to enhance player performance on the global stage.

Topic

Inclusive Pathways : Bridging Borders and Breaking Barriers: A Female Strength & Conditioning Coach’s Journey in South African and Indian International Hockey

• The Future of Off-Feet Conditioning: Leveraging the Wattbike as a High-Performance Alternative to Traditional On-Feet Training
• The Evolution of Taping: Enhancing Sport Performance with Dynamic Tape

Topic

Shaping the Future of Women in High-Performance Sport