National Sports Convention events to address the future of aquatic, recreation and sports facilities

Among the many streams to be addressed by the three NSC (National Sports Convention) Forums in November, is the future of Australia’s aquatic, recreation and sports facilities.

As the event organisers explain “swimming and water-based leisure has always been part of Australian culture with swimming being one of nation’s most successful Olympic and gold medal sports.

“However, as time changes, our multi-cultural Australian society is looking for more than just the traditional 50 metre pools; with family water, waterplay and wellbeing water spaces being requested more and more. “

With the NSC Forums being held in three cities - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - panellists and speakers will explore what future of aquatic and recreation centres need to look like if they are going to meet the needs of the broader community with panel members including: Nick Cox, Chief Executive, Belgravia Leisure; Shane Dunne, Chief Executive, Aligned Leisure; Todd McHardy, Chief Executive Officer, BlueFit; Warren Green, consultant and International Association for Sport and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Pools Panel Member; Dan Kwaczynski, President, ALFAQ; Brett Diprose, Associate Principal, Warren and Mahoney Architects and Kim Critchley, Aquatic and Leisure Services Contract Manager, Moreland City Council.

In addition, the NSC Forums will welcome will have key speakers including:

Among the many streams to be addressed by the three NSC (National Sports Convention) Forums in November, is the future of Australia’s aquatic, recreation and sports facilities.

As the event organisers explain “swimming and water-based leisure has always been part of Australian culture with swimming being one of nation’s most successful Olympic and gold medal sports.

“However, as time changes, our multi-cultural Australian society is looking for more than just the traditional 50 metre pools; with family water, waterplay and wellbeing water spaces being requested more and more. “

With the NSC Forums being held in three cities - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - panellists and speakers will explore what future of aquatic and recreation centres need to look like if they are going to meet the needs of the broader community with panel members including: Nick Cox, Chief Executive, Belgravia Leisure; Shane Dunne, Chief Executive, Aligned Leisure; Todd McHardy, Chief Executive Officer, BlueFit; Warren Green, consultant and International Association for Sport and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Pools Panel Member; Dan Kwaczynski, President, ALFAQ; Brett Diprose, Associate Principal, Warren and Mahoney Architects and Kim Critchley, Aquatic and Leisure Services Contract Manager, Moreland City Council.

In addition, the NSC Forums will welcome will have key speakers including:

• Professor Alfonso Jimenez, Chief Research and Innovation Officer, Ingesport-GO fit (Spain) - who will explore how the commercial sector is investing in Europe to provide a health and social benefits for the community
• Paige Buse, Manager, Glen Eira Leisure - exploring the future of community health and wellness for Australian aquatic and recreation centres
• Brooke Atkins, General Manager Recreation, YMCA (NSW) – covering re-growing visitation through community wellbeing 

Part of the debate will be informed by the IAKS Future Trends for Pools initiative published at the end of last year, where Australia was represented on the global panel by facilities consultant, Warren Green. 

The Future Trends identified, published as a feature in Australasian Leisure Management issue 136, included:

• Swimming is regaining importance
• Pools turning into wellness hubs
• Designing for inclusivity
• Pools as places for socialising
• Sustainable and healthy pools
• Safe and secure pools
• Diverse development of market
• Scarcity of space 
• Immersing in a lifelong healthy lifestyle
• Fun for children and families
• Competing demands on public fitness
• Improving economics
• Digital transformation
• International harmonisation of demand
• Fight for talent
• Good design

NSC Forums program and tickets
The NSC Forums are being held at the:

• Rosehill Gardens, Parramatta, NSW - Monday 9th November
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - Wednesday 11th November 
• Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre - Friday 13th November

Due to COVID-19 challenges the organisers have worked with its 40+ collaborators to pivot its offering for 2020 to take the NSC to key states and structure the event for online access in a Forum format.

The latest program details and registration information can be viewed at www.nscforums.com.au

NSC 2021
The 2021 National Sports Convention will be held in Melbourne on 22nd and 23rd June next year and will reflect on the learnings from 2020 with COVID-19.

Image courtesy of Zoggs.