Physical activity leader awarded for improving community health and equity

Monday, 5 May 2025

Dr Alyce Barnes, Post-doctoral Researcher at the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Population Health, and the National Centre of Implementation Science (NCOIS), has been recognised as the 2025 Lake Macquarie City Council Ambassador and Lake Mac Sports Leader of the Year.

Dr Alyce Barnes standing with award

These prestigious awards celebrate her leadership and dedication to improving community health and equity—particularly for girls and young families—through innovative, impactful research and deep local engagement.

Creating Change Through Research and Real-World Impact

Beginning her career as a specialist PDHPE teacher, Dr Barnes’ first-hand experience inspired her to take action to address the observed limited confidence and competence by children and youth in their sport skills and participation in physical activity. This observation fired her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and empowering environment for young individuals, ensuring they develop the necessary skills and confidence to thrive in understanding and pursuing lifelong physical activity.

Her PhD focused on the lifelong benefits of physical activity through the lens of the mother-daughter relationship, exploring how role modelling, co-physical activity, and a community ran intervention influence physical activity engagement in primary school aged girls and women.

Following her PhD, Dr Barnes has worked as both co-investigator and co-facilitator on two internationally acclaimed programs:

  • Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered (DADEE) – an award-winning initiative that improves girls’ physical activity, sport skills, and social-emotional wellbeing, while also strengthening the father-daughter relationship through empowerment and co-physical activity.
  • Healthy Youngsters, Healthy Dads (HYHD) – a world-first program designed to support healthy eating, physical activity, and sport skills in preschool-aged children and their fathers, laying the foundation for healthy family habits early in life.

In her current role at Hunter New England Population Health, Dr Barnes leads the implementation and long-term sustainment planning of Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1)—an innovative, evidence-based physical activity program designed for secondary schools. PA4E1 is a whole-school initiative focused on improving student health and wellbeing by embedding seven key physical activity practices into school routines and culture.

With research showing that four in five adolescents are physically inactive, the program responds to an urgent public health issue. Increased screen time, reduced outdoor play, busy after-school schedules, and lower participation in community sport have all contributed to the problem. Schools provide a powerful setting to reverse these trends.

Dr Barnes works directly with school leaders and teachers across the Hunter New England Local Health District to build capacity and embed physical activity practices that can be sustained over time. While the program supports all students, it also includes targeted approaches for priority populations, helping ensure equity of access and opportunity. With no other standardised program currently offered across all secondary schools in the region, PA4E1 plays a critical role in facilitating system-wide, lasting change in adolescent health.

Striving for Equity in Girls’ and Women’s Physical Activity

Being nominated for these awards is a powerful recognition of my commitment to advocating for girls and women in physical activity and breaking down the barriers that limit their participation.

Dr Barnes’ research and advocacy are driven by a passion for gender equity. She has seen firsthand how girls face unique barriers to participation in sport and physical activity—whether it’s restrictive school uniform policies, outdated gender expectations, lack of confidence and competence in sports and physical activity, or fewer visible role models in sport.

Through her work, she continues to address these issues head-on, envisioning a future where every girl feels safe, supported, and inspired to engage in movement with confidence.

This acknowledgment is not just about my work, but about the collective efforts of my team of passionate researchers, teachers, and communities I work alongside to create change. I advocate for a world where every girl feels empowered to be active and included, free from barriers to participation and inequality.

Living Her Research – On and Off the Field

Beyond her academic role, she is deeply connected to her community. As a coach of multiple girls’ soccer and touch football teams, she volunteers her time to create safe, empowering environments where girls can thrive.

Coaching is one of the most rewarding ways I live out my research values. It’s where I can connect with young girls, build their confidence, and foster a love of movement. It’s not just about sport—it’s about showing up for them and showing them how being active is a lifelong endeavor.

Her work on and off the field reflects her belief in the power of positive role models, inclusive environments, and community-led change.

Collaboration at the Core

Dr Barnes’ role spans across academic, health, and community sectors—working at the interface of the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District, and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). She is a proud member of the HMRI Population Health Executive, helping shape strategic directions that improve health outcomes across the region.

Through her work with NCOIS, she continues to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact—ensuring that evidence-based programs reach the communities and populations that need them most.

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