It’s about integration not isolation, and knowing how ….

Dr Siona Fernandes OLY

Olympian | PhD (Sport, Exercise, Health) | MSc Psychology | MSc Sport & Exercise | Bachelor of Performing Arts

Bridging sport, exercise and cultural context to improve health and wellbeing for individuals and community-focused organisations.

Siona an Indian-born bharatnatyam dancer turned Olympic boxer at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

AN Interdisciplinary professional

Siona combines academic knowledge with embodied practice bringing together theory, research and direct practice across sport, exercise, health and culture.

Her experience includes:

• Performing Arts – Professional Bharatanatyam Artist for 17 years.
• High Performance Sport – Olympian.
• Academic Researcher – Leading projects focused on the Asian Indian diaspora
• Exercise and Fitness Practice – Accredited practitioner in the exercise and fitness industry.

She actively engages in research and coaching, with previous contributions through relavant advisory roles.

INDIAN COMMUNITY & FUNCTIONAL EXERCISE COACHING
RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
Siona Fernandes Olympian and Indian Bharatnatyam dancer speaks at the conference on health promotion sharing her research findings .
Speaker
Siona Fernandes Olympian and Indian Bharatnatyam dancer
Siona chosen to speak at the youth Leadership day.
Olympic Ambassador
Olympian and Indian Bharatnatyam dancer Siona Fernandes running a workshop for children in sport.
Olympian and Indian Bharatnatyam dancer Siona Fernandes spotlight by the journal of physical activity and health as a published author
Olympian and Indian Bharatnatyam dancer Siona Fernandes guest speaker at the school sports awards.
Sport Awards Presenter
Siona served on the judging panel for Australia’s active health and exercise industry.

Published: 07 August 2026
Fostering Equity in and Through Sport: A Content Analysis of Sports Policies for Migrants in Australia

Cite as: S. Fernandes and  E. Holroyd, “ Fostering Equity in and Through Sport: A Content Analysis of Sports Policies for Migrants in Australia,” Health Promotion Journal of Australia  37, no. 4 (2026): e70229, https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.70229.

Contact

connect@sionafernandes.com