Royal Life Saving advises of National Aquatic Industry Committee membership

Following the call for nominations to the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC), Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (RLSSA) has confirmed the Committee’s membership for the 2021 to 2023 period.

The NAIC has the goal of strengthening the health, safety and viability of aquatic facility ownership and operations across Australia and is responsible for the development and endorsement of industry initiatives such as the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO), National Aquatic Industry Workforce Profile, Economic Benefits of Aquatic Facilities Report, and other national research and advocacy initiatives.

Membership
It is recognised that the aquatic industry and aquatic facility management comprises a diverse web of stakeholders and organisations who span important areas, ownership and management models. As such, the NAIC’s membership is a multi-stakeholder model which aims to reflect the diversity, and vibrancy of the aquatic industry.

To fill any gaps the NAIC convenes taskforces who work on specialist areas and priority issues.

The 2021-23 Membership will consist of:

Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
• RJ Houston (Chair)

Representatives from national swimming-based organisations
• Kym McMahon, Swimming Australia
• Carl Patridge, Australian Council for Swimming and Water Safety Teachers (AUSTSWIM)
• Gary Toner, Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA)

Representatives of state entities with a focus on aquatic facility management
• Kathy Parton, Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV)
• Andrew Beamer, Aquatic Recreation Institute (NSW)
• Steve Good, Leisure Institute of Western Australia Aquatics (LIWA)
• Wayne Pollock, Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA)

Representatives of aquatic facility builders and maintenance groups
• Lindsay McGrath, Swimming Pool and Spa Association Australia (SPASA)

Representatives of local government
• Amanda Locke, City of Greater Geelong, Victoria
• Jake Boerema, City of Norwood, South Australia
• Brad page, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Queensland
• Matt Howes, Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland

Representatives of facility managers 
• Liam O’Brien, Aligned Leisure
• Todd McHardy, Bluefit
• Trent O’Hara, Belgravia Leisure
• Sean Hodges, VIVA Leisure 
• Mel Rahtz, YMCA NSW
• Alex Ash, YMCA VIC

Representatives of state lifesaving entities
• Alek Olszewski, Life Saving Victoria
• Les Mole, Royal Life Saving Queensland
• Nick Au, Royal Life Saving New South Wales
• Stephen Gazzola, Royal Life Saving Northern Territory

NAIC Chair and RLSSA National Manager - Aquatics, RJ Houston explained “Royal Life Saving has been encouraged by the overwhelming industry response to calls for nomination to the NAIC.

“RLSSA have opted to grow the NAIC membership from 16 (previous) to 22 (current) in the hopes of continuing to involve a more diverse network of stakeholders while remaining effective and responsive.

“This iteration of the NAIC will see a strengthening of aquatic facility management organisations, learn to swim entities and local government representatives from across the country.”

“Royal Life Saving Australia would like to thank every person and entity that applied for a role on the NAIC and is pleased to confirm the NAIC’s membership from 2021 through 2023,” says Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr added “members of the NAIC have an important responsibility in representing, consulting with and advocating for aquatic industry stakeholders and communicating and consulting on the work of the NAIC with the wider industry.”

The NAIC will first meet in April 2021.

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Image credit: Royal Life Saving WA.