Reimagined CASES Conference succeeds and award winners celebrated

Over 350 delegates, presenters, speakers and exhibitors attended the reimagined CASES Conference 2026 at the Manchester Metropolitan University this June, combining the student and professional conferences for the first time. 

The event attracted over 200 abstract submissions from students, early career researchers and professionals resulting in over 150 presentations across the two days. The event also included practical sessions, keynote speeches and discussions from a high-profile and hugely respected selection of sport and exercise science figures along with networking, social event and a run/walk/wheel event. 

The Association's inaugural Medal of Achievement winner, Professor Stuart Biddle HonFCASES travelled from Australia to receive the award and present his career history to a packed lecture theatre. 

Delegates were treated to opening keynote sessions from Professor Larissa Davies,Professor Richard Bracken and Professor Patrick Doherty on Exercise, prevention and rehabilitation. The final day concluded with a keynote session featuring Paralympic stars Dame Sarah Storey DBE and Gregg Stevenson MBE and Prof Tim Cable on 'Insights from Elite Sport and High-Performance Cultures'.

There were 16 exhibitors offering relevant product and service information while delegates enjoyed refreshments during the breaks. 

The event also included 16 invited Symposia sessions, creating a content-packed two day event to remember! 

At the end of the conference, and after an in-depth judging panel, CASES Chair, Professor Zoe Knowles FCASES was delighted to announce the award winners:

• Student Free Communication Presentation Award sponsored by: International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA)

Winner: Rebecca Vartan, University of Chichester: “The effects creatine has on cognitive function and physiological function when skiing at altitude.”

Runner-up: Lauren Fletcher, Robert Gordon University: “Design of a sport science support system for international cricket.”

• Student 5 Slides in 5 Minutes Free Communication Presentation Award sponsored by: CASES

Winner: Frederick Alexander Walker, University of Glasgow: “Evaluating the impact of a new active travel bridge on walking and cycling volumes: A natural experiment.”

Runner-up: Greig Cowie, Robert Gordon University: “Can CIED-derived Physical Activity Provide as a Biomarker to Predict All-Cause-Mortality? External Validation of Previous Predictive Modelling Approaches.”

• Student Poster Presentation Award sponsored by: Irish Sport and Exercise Sciences Association ISESA

Winner: Erika Pontarollo, Leeds Beckett University: “Understanding performance determinants in race walkers through an integrated biomechanics and physiology approach.”

Runner-up: Evie Wright, York St John University: “Effects of a 10-week dry-land strength and conditioning programme on the start and turn performance of competitive youth swimmers.”

Highly commended: Elena Wilson, Manchester Metropolitan University: “Prevalence, magnitude and methods of rapid weight loss in junior powerlifters of regional, national and international competitive standard.”

• Early Career Researcher Free Communication Presentation Award sponsored by: Sport Education Solutions Limited

Winner: James Clark, Manchester Metropolitan University: “Understanding Decision-Making Expertise in Football VAR: Insights from Elite Video Match Officials.”

Runner-up: Rebekah Osborne, University of Exeter: “Understanding the 4-min-mile: modelling the physiological determinants of maximal 4-min running performance.”

Highly commended: Niall Fife, Swansea University: “Athletes with a Difference of Sex Development (DSD) perform like women and not like men in track athletics events.”

• Early Career Researcher 5 Slides in 5 Minutes Free Communication Presentation Award sponsored by: Taylor & Francis

Winner: Jack Carr, Coventry University: “Exploring the Perspectives and Experiences of Men Living with Prostate Cancer from Minority Ethnic Backgrounds in Undertaking Physical Activity: A Qualitative Analysis.”

Runner-up: Dr Amie Woodward, York St John University: “The association between cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and quality of life in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.”

• Early Career Researcher Poster Presentation Award sponsored by: CASES

Winner: April Forrest, University of the West of Scotland: “School-Based Homework Interventions for Improving 24-hour Movement Behaviours in Primary School Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”

Runner-up: Ollie Jones, Cambridge United - Anglia Ruskin University: “Do professional footballers meet the recommended guidelines for macronutrient intake and distribution?”

• Sport and Exercise Science Free Communication Presentation Award (Contribution to knowledge) sponsored by: Manchester Metropolitan University

Winner: Dr Leighton Jones MCASES, Liverpool John Moores University: “Shaky statistics and problematic publishing: Questionable research practices in the sport and exercise sciences.”

• Sport and Exercise Science Free Communication Presentation Award (Best practice) sponsored by: Manchester Metropolitan University

Winner: Natacha Lazareff, Kyniska Advocacy: “Long-Term Impacts of Coaching Maltreatment for Former Elite Adult Female Athletes: a trauma-informed qualitative study.”

• Sport and Exercise Science 5 Slides in 5 Minutes Free Communication Presentation Award sponsored by: CASES

Winner: Dr Katherine Burgess MCASES, Robert Gordon University: “Demonstrating the impact volunteering: a case study of Denis Law Legacy Trust.”

Runner-up: Dr Danielle Davis, Leeds Trinity: “Innovating Athlete Support: Evaluating Wearable Technology for Load Quantification in Artistic Gymnastics.”

• Sport and Exercise Science Poster Presentation Award sponsored by: CASES

Winner: Dr Emma Mosley, Bournemouth University: “What is CASES? Reflecting on the co-creation of a 3D animated sport and exercise science outreach resource.”

CASES would like to thank everyone who attended, presented, volunteered and helped prepare the Conference in 2026. A special thank you to our hosts, Manchester Metropolitan University and all the sponsors and exhibitors who supported the event and provided help, knowledge and opportunity from their respective organisations. 

Award winners who were present for the ceremony are photographed in the gallery below and listed in the CASES Hall of Fame. 

To see the full professional photo gallery go to: CASES Conference 2026 Photo Gallery