Through Transitions: Connected by Sport, Movement, and Culture.
Dr. Siona Fernandes is a Bharatanatyam artist-turned-Olympian and academic researcher whose work spans India and the Trans-Tasman region. Her life’s journey reflects a commitment to sport, movement, culture, and human potential.
Performing Arts | India
Born into India’s rich cultural traditions, Siona began training in Bharatanatyam at an early age. She completed her arangetram and became a formal disciple of her guru. Alongside dance, she pursued competitive sports, earning national-level recognition in basketball as the first female State-level probable.
Olympics | New Zealand
Migration to New Zealand transformed her passion for sport into an elite athletic career. She competed in boxing and became part of New Zealand’s sporting history when women’s boxing debuted at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This milestone shaped her mission: to inspire a generation.
Research & Professional Practice | Trans-Tasman
Siona bridges applied exercise practice and interdisciplinary research to improve community health, sport participation, and performance. She has worked across exercise science and Olympic sport environments, contributing to athlete development and community-focused initiatives.
She has held leadership and advisory roles locally and internationally, using her lived experience and evidence-informed approach to shape policies in sport, exercise, academia, and public health, especially around wellbeing, belonging, for those within these systems, including migrant and diasporic communities.
Interdisciplinary Practice for Community Wellbeing
Today, Siona works at the intersection of public health, sport for development, cultural identity, and community wellbeing. Her interdisciplinary practice integrates research, sport, movement, and cultural understanding to help individuals and communities thrive.
Staying True to Her Roots
Despite her global journey, she remains connected to her Indian heritage. She believes in the importance of a healthy mind, body, community, and sense of place, and continues to seek challenges that expand her understanding of her role and impact in the world.
Philosophy and Values
“My sense of achievement has grown from lived challenges and seeking opportunities across cultures, systems, and practices. As an Indian and migrant woman, I’ve come to deeply value freedom (liberal thinking), justice, courage, and compassion.
I thrive in spaces where diverse lived experiences are valued and in organisations that empower those contributions to support community.
Let’s inspire our generation to be the best they can be“