AQUATIC & LEISURE MANAGEMENT
AN NSC26 STREAM
- 1-2 July 2026
- Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Aquatic and Leisure Management
In Partnership with Royal Life Saving Society – Australia
As community needs and expectations evolve, aquatic and leisure centres are stepping into a new era, becoming inclusive, innovative, and multi-functional hubs that drive health, wellbeing, and social connection. The Aquatic & Leisure Management stream at NSC 2026 will explore how to lead, manage, and transform these facilities to meet the demands of the next generation.
Designed for leisure facility operators, local and state government leaders, industry peak bodies, recreation professionals, and urban planners, this stream will unpack how aquatic and recreation infrastructure can deliver maximum social, economic, and health value. Through forward-focused keynotes, expert panels, and practical case studies, delegates will gain the tools and strategies needed to future-proof facilities for decades to come.
Take a look at 2025’s sessions below:
Keynote Session: The Future of Community Sport & Leisure Facilities Management
What does the next decade look like for aquatic and leisure centre operations?
Senior executives from Clublinks and BlueFit – two of Australia’s most innovative facility operators – will showcase their future-focused investment strategies, design innovations, and operational models. Their vision will be tested in a panel session featuring government leaders from Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia, to align public and private sector ambitions in the development of resilient, sustainable, and community-centric facilities.
Workshop 1: Embedding Inclusion in Facility Operations and the Workforce
Inclusive facilities start with an inclusive workforce and service model. This session addresses how the sector can better serve diverse communities by understanding demographic trends and barriers to participation:
- RJ Houston (RLSSA): National Workforce Profile – Inclusion in Aquatic & Leisure Services
- Dr. Carleigh Yeomans (Swinburne University): The State of Inclusion in Aquatic and Recreation Centres
Workshop 2: Supporting the Workforce Through Community Complexity
As leisure and aquatic staff face increasingly complex community challenges, this workshop explores how to create safe, supportive work environments that reduce psychological risk and improve staff wellbeing:
- Scott Vanderheyden (Belgravia Leisure): Mental Health and Workforce Resilience
- Paul McPherson (The Y Victoria): A Systems Approach to Staff Support and Wellbeing
PitchFEST: Unlocking the Social Value of Aquatic & Leisure Facilities
A fast-paced session showcasing data-driven and evidence-based solutions to maximize the community impact of aquatic and recreation centres. Facilitators will guide attendees through:
- Ian Boorman (The Y): Impact Reporting for Grassroots Community Outcomes
- Jeff Walkley (Belgravia Leisure): Equity and Inclusion Measurement Tools
- Dr. Carleigh Yeomans (Swinburne University): Inclusive Program Design and Rigorous Evaluation
- Alex Burrows (ActiveXchange): Leveraging Data to Demonstrate Value and Influence Policy
Joint Workshop with Stream 2: Future-Proofing Aquatic and Leisure Facilities for the Next 100 Years
This collaborative session brings together CEOs and thought leaders to reimagine the design, functionality, and longevity of community leisure infrastructure:
- Nick Cox (Belgravia Leisure): AI-Powered Design for Adaptable Facility Planning
- Jay Clarke (City Venue Management): Creating Hybrid, Multipurpose Venues
- Kath Thom (Peninsula Leisure): Repurposing Smaller Spaces and Childcare Facilities for Community Use
This stream will arm attendees with practical frameworks, strategic insights, and future-ready tools to enhance aquatic centre operations, drive inclusive participation, and deliver long-term impact across sport, recreation, and public health sectors.
