Royal Life Saving National Aquatics Symposium to tackle problems and emerging challenges in the sector

The Royal Life Saving National Aquatics Symposium, being convened in Melbourne on 9th and 10th March, aims to attract leaders, strategic thinkers and decision makers working in water safety to tackle problems and emerging challenges in the sector.

The symposium will develop policy responses and a roadmap forward to help navigate the industry, government and water safety experts through the next five years amid wider social and economic headwinds.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia General Manager – Capability & Industry, RJ Houston said the symposium was an opportunity for respected and experienced policymakers, members of the industry in senior management roles, and water safety experts to come together to address key issues.

Houston notes “the three most significant issues we need to address are swimming skills in the community; aquatic industry workforce challenges; and aquatic facility infrastructure.

“Whether you’re in Melbourne, Mudgee, Margaret River, or Murray Bridge these are the issues that are keeping people in government and industry awake at night. They are universal challenges and we need the best and brightest to come together and work out how we move forward.

“There are significant structural factors and systemic challenges. I think what we all learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that when the sector comes together with a diverse set of perspectives and capabilities, and moves forward with consensus, we can tackle both current and future challenges - together.

“We need to have some big picture, blue sky thinking about how we collectively deal with the threats already here and those coming across the horizon.”

The symposium has a capped number of places available to ensure people’s contributions are heard and that there are opportunities for genuine discussion and collaboration.

Those encouraged to attend include:

• Senior representatives of peak associations;

• Senior government representatives with remit for water safety programs, sport vouchers, sport infrastructure funding, and workforce, skills and training policy settings and needs;

• Leading academics with an interest in these topics;

• Leading architects and consultants who work with the aquatic sector;

• Industry executives and leadership, product managers.

This is an opportunity to inform and influence the strategic response to key issues for the short-, medium- and longer-term success of water safety education and the industry.

Houston adds “what will unite everyone in the symposium is the desire to make great decisions that will ensure this generation and the next continue to have a love of swimming and water-based activities, and that they can meaningfully engage with those activities - thanks to a sustainable and skilled workforce, alongside fit for purpose infrastructure - regardless of their background or where they live in Australia.

“Swimming and water safety is for everyone.”

Click here for more information on the Symposium in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.