Sharjah Women’s Sports announces main themes of 2nd Excel

The announcement highlights the conference’s academic depth as an international platform that brings together research expertise and applied field experience. Excel 2026 aims to present contemporary insights and practical approaches that support early years education, strengthen learning outcomes, enhance students’ focus and motivation, and improve overall wellbeing through a framework that treats body and mind as one. Designed as an adaptable model, the conference outputs are intended to be applied across schools based on their individual needs and contexts.

Three themes—from concept to a more active classroom

Excel 2026 is built around three interconnected themes that start at the heart of the classroom and school environment, extend into holistic health and wellbeing, and conclude with the governance structures, partnerships, and enabling technologies needed for sustainability and scale.

The first theme focuses on integrating movement into everyday teaching and learning practices within the early years (Cycle 1). It presents practical models and applied ideas that help schools enrich classroom environments with movement-based learning activities—making movement a natural part of the school day and strengthening interaction and engagement inside the classroom.

The second theme explores sport and movement as a pathway to holistic health and school wellbeing, examining their impact on students’ physical, psychological, and social balance, and how that translates into improved attention, behavior, and academic performance. It also considers how movement contributes to positive values, belonging, and identity within supportive school environments.

The third theme addresses the enabling ecosystem required to sustain and expand impact—covering governance and policy frameworks, cross-sector partnerships, technology, and interactive programmes. It focuses on clarifying roles and responsibilities, developing measurement indicators and follow-up mechanisms, strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration, and leveraging digital solutions that support movement-based learning within clear regulatory parameters.

Global expertise convenes in Sharjah

Reinforcing its international profile, Excel 2026 will welcome a distinguished line-up of global speakers presenting the latest research, evidence-based insights, and best practices in integrating movement into education—aligned with the conference’s three themes.

Participants include Professor Laura Alfrey (Australia), a specialist in physical education and movement-based learning, and Dr Lu Qinlong (China), with extensive experience in developing school sport systems and teacher training frameworks. They are joined by Professor Julien Bois (France), whose work focuses on physical activity determinants, sedentary behaviour, and strategies for promoting active lifestyles, and Professor Cheryl Walter (South Africa), with long-standing academic expertise in strengthening physical education in educational settings. Dr Amani El Bahiry (Egypt), a specialist in curricula and teaching methods, will also take part.

The programme further features Professor Andy Daly-Smith (United Kingdom), a leading researcher in “active schools” models, alongside Dr He Wenyi (China), whose work centres on policy frameworks and scaling strategies. In addition, Dr Qu Yi, an expert in sports technology and movement analysis, will present emerging applications that incorporate artificial intelligence and 3D motion capture to support skill development and performance learning.

Through Excel 2026, SWS continues its approach of translating scientific knowledge into practical tools that support healthier, more balanced school environments—enhancing learning quality and holistic wellbeing, while expanding opportunities for partnership and real-world application within a responsible, sustainable framework.