Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 2022

www.ausleisure.com.au

ISSUE 150

EVENTS

Print Post Approved PP100022562

An Unprecedented Decade Cairns and the World’s Largest MTB Event

FACILITIES Māori Leadership Energy Efficiency

SPORT

National Sports Convention Balance in the Transgender Debate

SURFACES

Climate Positive Turf Installation Excellence

PLUS

Royal Adelaide Show Inquest NFTs and Ticketing Tourism Careers The Rise of BFT

contents

Issue 150

22

26

30

52

58

48

features 16

A Golden Decade Australia’s unprecedented decade of major sporting events

20

The Rise of NFTs Surging demand for non-fungible tokens in ticketing

22

Finding a Balance in the Transgender Sport Debate Taking a lead in transgender participation

26

Strength to Strength The growth of BFT - Body Fit Training

30

Built to Perform, Engineered to Last Delivering high quality playing surfaces

36

Climate Positive Turf: ‘You Play. We Plant’ Pioneering sustainable sports surfaces

COVER: The world’s largest. mostwatched mountain biking event, Crankworx, is coming to Cairns this year. See page 56.

regulars 6 From the Publisher 8 Two Months in Leisure 59 People in brief

39

Challenges of aquatic centre energy efficiency

44

To subscribe go to subscribe.ausleisure.com.au

Putting Back into the Community A conversion of an outdoor pool

48

Aligning Strategies The growth of the National Sports Convention

52

A Death that Must Never be Repeated The Coronial inquest into a Show ride death

54

Putting Leisure in People’s Lives CLM’s Māori Leadership programme

60 People 62 Products

High Energy

56

Bringing Back the Big Events Crankworx is coming to Cairns

58

4 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Time to Rebrand Tourism as a Long Term Career Making tourism employment more popular

Vertel helps BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park keep guests connected with reliable Wi-Fi

BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park is situated on the beachfront at Kiama, NSW and has a wide range of accommodation options including cabins, caravan and camping sites. The park also has a popular pool complex, Sunny’s Aquaventure Park, a dedicated games room, fun jumping pillow, multiple exciting children’s playgrounds, a scrumptious café and calming massage studio. The park also offers direct beach access! However, the park’s existing, residential-grade network service struggled to support reliable Wi-Fi coverage for such a large area, impacting the ability to provide their guests a superior experience.

Vertel, in combination with Purple, customised a solution that established a dedicated network with enterprise-grade services, analytics tools, and robust security.

Vertel’s customised solution is underpinned by the park’s connection to the nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet service and was designed so that the entire park has full coverage. It also provides guest the opportunity to use this in combination with nbn™ so they have very little downtime.

“Vertel has provided a connectivity solution that will help the park grow into the future. The Wi-Fi solution encompasses the entire park, providing that exceptional guest experience we were looking for.”

Customer experience is key for holiday parks.

With more families taking road trips and more people working remotely, Australian’s are increasing looking at smart, secure and safe holidays with a difference. They are looking for holiday locations that let them work and play from any location, so, internet connectivity is a must.

To meet changing customer needs, holiday parks must deliver exceptional customer experiences underpinned by strong internet connectivity.

Our tip sheet outlines four ways holiday parks can achieve this without blowing the budget.

Jennifer Drummond, director, BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park As part of the Vertel powered solution, the BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park implemented CCTV cameras, installed, and managed by Vertel.

These are connected to the Wi-Fi network and record 24x7. The footage they capture can also be used to investigate any incident that may occur, allowing BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park to boast additional value through increased safety and security measures.

The main priority for BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park is to deliver an outstanding experience to all guests. With the support of Vertel, BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park now offers guests the benefit of excellent Wi-Fi coverage and increased security regardless of whether guests are staying in five-star accommodation or on a camp site in the park.

WWW.VERTEL.COM.AU 1300 837 835

For more information, download the tip sheet today.

www.vertel.com.au/holidayparks

From the Publisher Ready to Govern?

Published by Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd, 45/30 Nobbs Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 (PO Box 478, Collaroy, NSW 2097) AUSTRALIA ABN 32 092 549 721

Tel: 02 8018 6808 E-mail: leisure@ausleisure.com.au www.ausleisure.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/AusLeisure Editor Karen Sweaney Publisher Nigel Benton Design Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd Contributors Kate Cracknell and Gwen Luscombe

Advertising Inquiries Nigel Benton Tel: 0411 551 731 Email: nigel@ausleisure.com.au James Croll Tel: 0488 090 904 Email: jcroll@ausleisure.com.au Printed in Australia by Pegasus Print Group Building B, 1A Bessemer Street, Blacktown NSW 2148 Tel: 02 8822 0600, www.pegasusprintgroup.com.au Annual subscriptions cost $99 in Australia and New Zealand.

Details at subscribe.ausleisure.com.au or call 02 8227 6486.

Members of AALARA, ARNA, ASPA, ASSA, EVANZ, ExerciseNZ, IAKS, LIWA Aquatics, the Sports and Play Industry Association and the VMA receive the magazine as a membership benefit.

The views contained in Australasian Leisure Management are not necessarily those of Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd or the Editor. While every care is taken with advice given, Australian Leisure Media Pty Ltd and the Editor can take no responsibility for effects arising therefrom. Views expressed by contributors may be personal and are not necessarily the views of their employers or professional associations.

© Australasian Leisure Management, 2022. ISSN 1446-1374

Official Publication

With results for Australia’s Federal election now confirmed and Ministerial announcements made by incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the industry awaits a new direction in Government policy and activity.

It’s worth reflecting that the Labor Party’s manifesto going into the election was far simpler than at past elections, echoing existing funding and infrastructure commitments while focussing largely on integrity, combatting climate change, Asia-Pacific relations and Anthony Albanese not being Scott Morrison.

However, with few specific policy pledges - for example, in health, commitments were largely restricted to funding for Medicare and aged care, with no mention of support for physical activity - a question arises as to whether Australia’s new Government actually has a vision for events, environment, fitness and activity, heritage, sport and tourism?

In opposition last year and again in the early weeks of Government, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said he would be using New Zealand’s ‘wellbeing budget’ model for his own first budget in October. What Treasurer Chalmers’ interpretation of wellbeing is remains to be seen but at this time it might be the case for this industry to influence that.

Beyond the wellbeing aspiration, individual ministers have not yet been vocal about their expectations and aims. Is that because of their not having their teams in place, a void in policy or a desire to pause, engage and learn?

Let’s hope it’s the latter, with these new ministers keen to engage with industry and to understand what it can deliver.

Dealing with industry may be more beneficial than engaging with government agencies stacked with Coalition-leaning board appointees.

For reference the new Federal Ministers in leisure portfolios include: Cabinet level positions Senator Don Farrell as Trade and Tourism minister, a role he has held before, while also being Senate Leader as well as the Special Minister of State.

Tony Burke as Minister for the Arts and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations as well as being Leader of the House.

Tanya Plibersek as Environment and Water Minister.

Chris Bowen as Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Outer Ministry Anika Wells as Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport.

Kristy McBain as Minister for Industry Development and Territories.

Heavy falls mark the start of the snow season In Association with

It’s heartening that the ski industry, hard hit during the COVID pandemic, is experiencing a strong commencement to the winter season, with early snowfalls being described as delivering its best start in 20 years.

With low temperatures, lifts running and accommodation rapidly filling up for the months ahead, winter forecasts are predicting a better than average snow season, with welcome natural falls boosted thanks to state-of-the-art snow making technology ensuring a great experience for visitors.

Nigel Benton, Publisher

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Two Months in Leisure Some of the industry headlines over recent months.

Daily industry news can be read at www.ausleisure.com.au

89% rise in AFLW club membership numbers The AFL has reported a “massive 89% increase” in AFLW club memberships to reach record levels, advising that “support for elite women’s football has reached new heights … almost doubling over the last year to surpass 48,000 for the first time.”

AFL advised that a total of 48,712 fans “across the country became a member of their favourite AFLW club this season, breaking the previous record of 25,782 set in the West Coast Eagles players engage with their fans 2021 NAB AFLW Season.

The new figure equates to an 89% increase year on year.”

Newly licensed AFLW club the Sydney Swans topped the overall membership tally on 4,388 members, followed by the Adelaide Crows (4,219) and St Kilda (4,055).

In addition, 14 AFLW clubs broke their previous club membership records, including the Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong Cats, Fremantle, GWS Giants, Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs.

Octagon launches specialist agency focusing on sport’s role in driving social change Sports marketing agency Octagon has launched a new division called No2ndPlace which seeks to use sport to generate awareness around a range of issues and bring about social change.

Focusing on the role sport plays as a catalyst for change, No2ndPlace will help brands, sporting bodies, and not-for-profit organisations, drive awareness of societal issues and deliver impactful action and progress.

Launching initially in Australia, Ben Hartman will lead the venture as Managing Director alongside some of Australia’s strongest social advocates for change through sport, including world champion Paralympian and gold medallist, Madison De Rozario, AFL great and indigenous role model Adam Goodes, former Socceroo and human rights and refugee campaigner, Craig Foster and former Wallaby and climate and marriageequality advocate, David Pocock.

Wellington concert promoter wraps up after 30 years Phil Sprey, Wellington’s only concert promoter, has advised that he is calling a halt to his Capital C: Concerts business after 30 years, blaming the New Zealand Government’s ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and lack of support for the events and entertainment sector.

Sprey, whose Capital C Concerts has worked with the likes of Elton John, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi and Ozzy Osbourne over the last 30 years, stated “the reason is all the lack of movement from government to help the hospitality entertainment industry through a very tough period.

“And now the announcement that we’re still in red, it doesn’t make it very sensible to try to fight an uphill battle.

“You can’t do deals with artists, you can’t secure anything, you can’t make the public feel confident that an event you might be arranging will actually go ahead.”

New website promotes Western Australia’s trails network The Western Australian Government has invested in a new website for Trails WA making it possible for anyone to access the state’s extensive trails network.

The new website features downloadable maps that can be accessed offline and is rich in content, offering information on bushwalking, mountain biking, trail running and water trails, through to food and wine trails or wheelchair access.

The mobile friendly website showcases more than 800 of Western Australia’s trails.

8 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Western Australia Minister for Water Dave Kelly, City of Bayswater Deputy Mayor Catherine Ehrhardt and Water Corporation Manager of Water Efficiency Partnerships Nadine Riethmuller.

Perth’s Bayswater Waves receives platinum waterwise title Perth’s Bayswater Waves has been named the inaugural Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre of the Year at the Western Australian Water Corporation’s 2022 Waterwise Recognition Awards.

Having a range of efficiency measures over the past 12 months as part of the centre’s staged refurbishment, the accolade recognises Bayswater Waves as a leader in efficient, sustainable water use.

These include upgrading existing basin taps to push button taps, installing new shower heads and water flow reducers, and replacing rinse showers with dry change facilities.

Another key initiative was adding ultrasonic depth sensors in all balance tanks to allow the centre to better monitor its water usage.

The Water Corporation’s Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program, created in partnership with the Leisure Institute of Western Australia (LIWA) Aquatics, has this year seen eight aquatic centres achieve gold recognition for best practice in water management.

www.ausleisure.com.au for all the latest industry news

IN BRIEF The Norwood, Payneham and St Peter’s Council has announced that the $24 million plan to redevelop its Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre, located in the Adelaide suburb of Felixstow, is to go ahead.

The Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until at least 2035, with Formula 1 signing a new agreement with race organisers extending the city’s contract for another 10 years.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has announced that work has commenced on the first stage of its Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct project.

The long-awaited construction of the new Hakoah White City development in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs is set to commence following the recent signing of a construction agreement.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust has been named as the operator for the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) that will open in 2026.

A $10 million transformation of the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches (previewed in Australasian Leisure Management issue 147) has been completed with the 1690 metre² facility now open.

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Central Coast Council has confirmed that VenuesLive will take over management of its Central Coast Stadium, tasked with bringing a diverse offering of sports games and entertainment for the local community to enjoy and a boost to the region’s economy.

Greater Dandenong City Council has announced that its four major aquatic and recreation centres will be managed by its wholly-owned subsidiary South East Leisure (SEL) Pty Ltd as of 1st July.

Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre will receive an investment of $4.6 million from the Victorian Government to upgrade its facilities and enliven the Southbank arts precinct to provide Victorians access to a wider range of outdoor performances.

Her Majesty’s Theatre credit: Chris Oaten

Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide has secured another national award, adding to its list of accolades, winning the Master Builder Association’s National Commercial/Industrial Construction Award $50 million to $100 million.

The redevelopment of East Fremantle Oval will proceed as planned as a result of a commitment of a further $5 million contribution from the Western Australian Government.

The Hordern Pavilion in Sydney’s Moore Park precinct has rebooted with a multi-million dollar seating and behind thescenes upgrade enabling the venue to host more events than at any time in its history.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 9

Fitness and Lifestyle Group to close childminding facilities at Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct opens to public showcasing redeveloped Pier 2/3 The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct - a cultural precinct on Sydney Harbour foreshore presenting a diverse program of theatre, music and art - opened to the public following the completion of major redevelopment works on the historically significant Pier 2/3.

The Precinct is home to nine of the nation’s foremost performing arts companies presenting a vibrant program of musical concerts, theatre performances and public events throughout 2022.

Fitness and Lifestyle Group is reportedly set to close childminding facilities at 89 Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs across Australia.

As of the beginning of July, childminding facilities at the two gym chains will close as a result of a “drastic reduction” in attendance that “rendered the service unsustainable” at its top tier clubs.

The move, reported as “sparking outrage among parents” will see staff who are unable to be redeployed made redundant.

A spokesperson for the Fitness and Lifestyle Group advised that the health and fitness industry was still recovering from the pandemic and was now in a period of “transition” that took into account current gym and lifestyle habits, stating “recovering from COVID-19 continues to represent a significant challenge to all in the health club industry.”

Parks and Leisure Australia launches professional certification program Claiming that it “continues to lead professionalism within the industry”, Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) has announced that it is bringing its Certified Parks and Leisure Professional (CPLP) program for industry professionals in-house.

Further noting that “the CPLP program is the only Australian national benchmark for industry professionals”, PLA advise that the program has been transitioned from Indianna University’s collaboration with Eppley World Park Academy (WPA) to being fully administrated by the body for Australia’s recreation planners and parks managers.

Gema Group acquires Epicure catering business from Spotless Facilities In a move that will see it expand its position as the premier provider of hospitality and catering services at national and international major events, high profile venues and leading sporting stadia across the country leading hospitality and major event caterer the Gema Group have acquired Epicure and Pandanus catering brands and contracts from Spotless Facility Service Pty Ltd. The acquisition includes hospitality and service delivery at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Melbourne Town Hall and Brisbane City Hall, adding to Gema’s existing wide portfolio of stadia, venues and major events.

Founded in 1984, Gema Group has the capacity to cater everything from intimate indoor events to large scale outdoor festivals, sporting events and stadiums.

Federal Government’s Job Outlook anticipates ongoing rise in fitness jobs The Federal Government’s Job Outlook website says demand for fitness instructors is expected to remain strong over the next five years.

With the fitness industry having been significantly impacted by COVID over the past two years - with restrictions forcing gyms to close and forcing fitness instructors out of work - the reopening of the economy is triggering a surge in demand for fitness instructors and personal trainers to help motivate and train locals to achieve their fitness goals.

10 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

AALARA and the Showmen’s Guilds announce stop work campaign In an effort to raise the profile of the insurance crisis impacting amusement and attractions operators, events and regional shows, members of the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) and the Showmen’s Guilds of Australia have been undertaking a series of stop work campaigns since early May. The action results from fears expressed by the Showmen’s Guilds and AALARA that ‘the show won’t go on’, slamming the Federal Government’s backtracking on a promise to support a Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) for the amusement and leisure industry (see page 53).

Explaining the action, AALARA President, Shane McGrath stated “while this action is unfortunate, our industry has been left with no option. As an industry we employ thousands, entertain millions and mean so much to so many.”

AALARA cited a number of theme parks, which have struggled through lockdowns, having been forced to pay up to $1.5 million for insurance this year when four years ago they secured coverage for $150,000.

Court in father-son drowning case hears that Airlie Beach Lagoon lifeguard contractor had no ‘relevant’ experience A multi-million-dollar lawsuit in the Queensland Supreme Court over the drowning deaths of a Chinese father and child at Airlie Beach’s lagoon attraction in October 2018 has heard conflicting accounts over the pair’s final moments.

Jie Tan, whose husband Yuanwei Zhang and five-year-old son, Chenxi, is suing Whitsunday Regional Council (WRC) and its lifeguarding contractor, Ellmill Enterprises for $4.5 million (21 million yuan) in damages.

ASM Global’s new facial verification technology. Credit: PopID

ASM Global introduces facial verification technology for live events ASCTA adopts new identity as SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia Aiming to remain at the forefront as leaders in the everchanging aquatic industry, the Australia Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) has announced a rebranding and evolution into a new and exciting identity.

The association will now be known as Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA).

Explaining the rebrand, SCTA President, Joanne Love stated “the stylised ‘swim’, currently incorporated into the Swim Australia™ logo will be the consistent theme across everything we do.

“The objective of the rebranding is to ensure that the ‘SWIM’ logo is instantly recognised and associated with everything SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia does.”

ASM Global has launched an ‘industry-first’ facial verification network for live events as part of its multi-year investment to ‘redefine’ the return of the industry by creating seamless and secure experiences.

The innovation, developed in partnership with technology provider PopID, which verifies payments and authenticates tickets via a fan’s face, includes payments, terminals and pointof-sale integrations, and is designed to streamline consumer transactions, irrespective of the payment method or network.

Conference sees APOLA ride a wave of change The Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association’s 2022 conference has seen the election of Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins as APOLA President and the body adopt a new name - the Australian Pool and Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA) - in an effort to broaden its membership and influence.

Commenting on the Association expanding its membership base, Hopkins explains “lifeguards play a vital role in the safety of millions of people who use waterways, pools and the coast every day.

“Lifeguards’ expertise and experience should be valued as they play a vital role in water safety which is often overlooked

by Government and the industry.”

Working with the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) will be a priority for APOLA in supporting the AWSC aspirational goal of reducing drowning in Australia by 50% by 2030.

New $6 million live music precinct to open in Adelaide Live Nation, Secret Sounds, Five Four Entertainment, and the team behind Brisbane’s successful Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid venues have announced the launch details of a new live music venue for Adelaide - Hindley Street Music Hall - set to become one of the city’s premier music hubs and to include a separate street level nightclub and restaurant.

With an anticipated opening in August 2022, Hindley Street Music Hall will be a ground-breaking entertainment precinct for the city of Adelaide, acting as a hub for domestic and international touring artists.

www.ausleisure.com.au for all the latest industry news

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Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 11

Yarra Valley Wine Region. Credit Vist Melbourne

Cedar Mill Group acquires prime Yarra Valley for planned Victorian premium tourist precinct Funlab launches all new Laser Tag and Zero Latency Virtual Reality experience at Docklands Adding to the already popular gaming at Archie Brothers Docklands, entertainment and hospitality provider, Funlab, has launched a ‘first-of-its-kind’ Laser Tag and Zero Latency Virtual Reality experience, featuring the latest generation entertainment platform.

Seen as one of the best virtual reality offerings available, the latest generation Zero Latency technology provides a substantially better user experience to create a completely immersive free-roam VR, with 5K resolution graphics and 3D spatial audio, transporting users into an unbelievable fantasy world that makes it hard to tell what is real and what isn’t. Both the laser tag and VR experiences add to the ‘hospo-tainment’ group’s stable of brands and brings more fun and excitement to the Docklands.

Australian Institute of Fitness partners with ZeeFi The Australian Institute of Fitness has partnered with ZeeFi an Australian fintech specialist in education funding - to provide a ‘Study Now Pay Later’ solution to students.

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) considers affordable and flexible education repayment plans to be crucial in opening access to those seeking to enter the leisure industry.

AIF General Manager Sales, Shane Neumann said there was always a proportion of prospective students who struggled to fund the education they required to change careers into something that is rewarding, and they are passionate about.

Fair Work Ombudsman takes former fitness centre operator to court The Fair Work Ombudsman advises it has commenced legal action against the former operators of a fitness centre in Sydney.

Facing court are Core9 St Ives Pty Ltd, which formerly operated a Core9 Fitness franchise outlet in St Ives, and the company’s sole director Kyle Arnold.

The FWO is seeking penalties. Core9 St Ives Pty Ltd faces a penalty of up to $33,300 with Arnold facing a penalty of up to $6,660 for allegedly failing to comply with the Compliance Notice.

The regulator investigated after receiving a request for assistance from a worker who had been employed by Core9 St Ives Pty Ltd as a full-time marketing assistant between February 2018 and March 2021.

12 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Winarch Capital-owned Cedar Mill Group has acquired a 100acre site on the Maroondah Highway in the Yarra Valley for its third purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre and tourism project, expected to open in 2024 at a cost of up to $200 million.

This strategic purchase is anticipated to be the beginning of Cedar Mill Group’s rollout of multiple sites in Victoria, as they are currently doing in NSW. Plans for Cedar Mill Yarra Valley, which is just over one hour’s drive from Melbourne central, are to house a 300-bed hotel, conference and function facilities, three restaurants, 20 boutique villa units, tennis courts, a lake and gardens precinct, arts and craft village, and outdoor amphitheatre to host live concerts and events from major local and global touring acts.

2021 Melbourne Royal Show receives $3.2 million to support costs incurred from cancellation The Federal Government is providing $3.2 million to the Melbourne Royal Show under Round 2 of the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program to support costs incurred from the cancelled 2021 event.

The Melbourne Royal Royal Melbourne Show/RACV. Show was cancelled in 2021 for the second consecutive year in the interest of public health and safety due to COVID-19.

The Melbourne Royal Show promotes and celebrates excellence in agriculture, with thousands of rural and regional Victorian agricultural producers coming together. In a normal year the show attracts around 450,000 visitors over 11 days and contributes more than $244 million to the state’s economy.

Swim Jobs Victoria program sees launch of $3.4 million career recruitment package Aiming to reverse the massive shortage of swimming teachers in Victoria, 280 new swimming teachers will be recruited and trained as part of a new ‘earn while you learn’ Swim Jobs Victoria initiative.

A $3.4 million partnership between Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA) and Jobs Victoria, the Swim Jobs Victoria program will enable jobseekers recruited into the program to access an income while completing the accredited training required to work in the industry.

AUSactive expands its National Awards Program in 2022 AUSactive has launched an expanded National Awards Program which includes 28 individual, business and community awards honouring Australia’s growing health and exercise industry.

AUSactive members, as well as wider community groups, can enter the National Awards Program, that has been significantly revamped following the AUSactive new brand rollout late last year.

AUSactive Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish said the evolution of the annual awards program was an important reflection of the increasing scope of AUSactive that now included Pilates, yoga and aqua professionals and businesses, as well as recognising the work community groups do to help people get active.

Collective Wellness Group’s Richard Peil buys into A-League’s Central Coast Mariners The A-Leagues’ Central Coast Mariners have announced Richard Peil, co-founder and Director of the Collective Wellness Group, has joined the Club’s Board as a Director and will take on the role of Chair.

Peil, who is understood to be making a significant financial investment in the club, will replace longstanding owner Mike Charlesworth on the Board of the Mariners and the Central Coast Mariners Academy as a Director.

Australia Zoo launches NFT project using world’s greenest blockchain Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast is launching an NFT (non-fungible token) project, creating a unique Australian wildlife themed NFT collection. Aiming to help protect wildlife and wild places, the NFT collection is created on Algorand, the world’s first carbon-negative blockchain technology, and Australian technology startup Meadow Labs.

Les Mills research compares gym vs digital formats as most effective way to train Les Mills Research Lab has conducted a pilot study comparing exertion and enjoyment levels between a live class in the gym and two digital formats (live-stream and on demand) of the same workout, with surprising results.

Taking a class at the gym brings better results and more enjoyment than doing the same workout digitally at home, according to new research presented recently at the 2022 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Conference.

Believed to be the first of its kind, the pilot study from the Les Mills Research Lab compared a traditional fitness class in a gym setting with home-based live-stream and on-demand sessions performing the same workout.

Participants’ average heart rate was 14% higher during the gym class compared to the live-stream and on-demand sessions, despite being the exact same class format and release.

As well as motivating them to work harder, the gym-based workout was rated by participants as being 13% more enjoyable and 14% more satisfying than the two digital workouts.

Researchers believe the greater intensity and more positive perceptions of a gym-based class can be attributed to what they call ‘Groupness’.

The term was coined after previous research from Penn State University found that people in live group exercise classes experience increased levels of individual exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction as a result of exercising together in a studio, particularly when their movements are synchronised.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 13

Gemba and ClimatePartner join forces for sport and entertainment sustainability strategies Aventuur signs long-term ground lease for the site of the Perth Surf Park Global surf park creator Aventuur has announced it has signed a long-term ground lease with the Western Australian Planning Commission for the site of the Perth Surf Park.

Located on Prinsep Road, Jandakot, adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway and Cockburn Central, the $100 million Perth Surf Park will be accessible from the Perth CBD and Perth Airport within 25 minutes. Offering authentic surfing, wellness and cultural experiences, the Perth Surf Park will cater to local and travelling surfers, adventurers, experience seekers and families of all ages and abilities.

Featuring a 56-module Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon, the park’s perfect waves will be complemented by accommodation, beach club, quality bars and restaurants, retail stores, a health & wellness centre, casual workspaces, a high performance surf academy, a hire store offering board, wetsuit and equipment rentals, regular events and high-quality landscaped amenities.

New Arts and Culture Trust Board to replace Perth Theatre Trust The formation of a new Arts and Culture Trust Board for Western Australia marks the start of a new era - moving away from the Perth Theatre Trust (PTT), which was limited to managing theatres.

The new authority will oversee a range of art and cultural assets other than just theatres, and apply a State-wide lens to engagement, business activities and presentation of productions for the arts and the community.

The new Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) and Board is effective from 1st July 2022 with highly regarded industry experts appointed to take on board roles.

Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda announced as global Peace Park Award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda has been announced as an IIPT Global Peace Park. In collaboration with SKAL International Cairns, and the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference, the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) welcomed and dedicated the park with a special ceremony at Rainforestation.

There are over 450 IIPT Global Peace Parks throughout the world, which dedicate a piece of land to the commitment of ‘Building a Culture of Peace’.

Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda joins several other Peace Parks around Australia - the Lone Pine Peace Park in the Blue Mountains, Q Station in Sydney, and a Peace Promenade in Hobart incorporated within the new Macquarie Point development.

14 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Leading sport consultancy Gemba has teamed up with ClimatePartner - a world leader in global climate action, to offer tailored climate action strategies for rights-holders and sponsors in the region.

By coming together in the APAC region, Gemba and ClimatePartner are offering a service to guide rights-holders through the key components of a sustainability strategy - measurement, reduction of emissions, offset programs and communication strategies. All this is augmented with Gemba’s deep understanding of building world-class sport and entertainment organisations.

From measuring corporate and product carbon footprints, to reducing and offsetting those emissions, all the way to communicating positive outcomes, the partnership gives Gemba’s clients a tailored solution as part of their sustainability journey.

Gumbuya World looks back on a successful summer Victorian amusement, water and wildlife park Gumbuya World has reported on its performance since the end of the state’s lockdown late last year.

Having experienced almost two years of closures, Gumbuya World Chief Executive, Ron Weinzierl told Australasian Leisure Management “the summer was very successful coming out of Victoria`s COVID lockdown.

“In December we had really strong support from our education community for both (our) wildlife and Oasis Springs water park. We also had a great response to our COVID front line support week.”

This initiative saw Gumbuya World offer free entry for COVID frontline workers in celebration of its third birthday.

Sport NZ revives Push Play campaign to get nation moving again Sport New Zealand has relaunched its Push Play campaign, aiming to get people to add more movement into their day to day lives.

New research from Sport NZ’s Active NZ survey has shown that physical activity levels dropped significantly in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with adults doing 16% fewer hours. And while physical activity rates have rebounded to some degree, many New Zealanders are still struggling to get back into the swing of things.

Advising that the campaign is about making physical activity simple and achievable, Sport NZ Chief Executive, Raelene Castle notes “whether that’s walking, online classes or reconnecting with your local sports club. We’re encouraging all New Zealanders to ‘Push Play’ in whatever ways work for them.”

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A Golden Decade Karen Sweaney explains how Australia has just entered what will be an unprecedented decade of major sporting events hile two years of the Coronavirus pandemic saw elite and community sporting events delayed, rescheduled and, at W worst, cancelled around the world, Australian sport has shown its resilience.

Showing its adaptability, from playing behind closed-doors, moving grand finals to new locations and staging competitions in hubs, the capability of Australia’s sporting events sector to host big-ticket showpieces events is now set to deliver an unparalleled decade of major sporting events.

Australia will over the next decade host a bumper schedule of major international sporting events as part of a long-term plan set out in Sport 2030, the Federal Government roadmap established in 2018 that recognises the broader economic and social implications of sport. However, Victoria’s 2026 Commonwealth Games hosting was more a product of the Commonwealth Games Association not having a bidder for the event.

Nonetheless, the result sees what Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chief Executive Kieren Perkins advised as “an unparalleled era in Australian sport with close to 30 major events already confirmed over the next decade including the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Australia’s acknowledgement across the world for its welcoming climate, sports-loving population, stable political environment and quality infrastructure makes it an attractive destination.

This is in contrast with China, which, having successfully bid 16 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

to host numerous sporting events has postponed and even walked away from hosting major international tournaments.

While it did proceed with hosting this year’s Winter Olympics earlier this year, China’s self-imposed isolation from international sport has seen the Asian Games in September and the World University Games in May, postponed until 2023, while the Asian Youth Games, set for a December date and 2023’s AFC Asian Cup, postponed outright.

By comparison, in what Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive, Matt Carroll calls a “green and gold runway” culminating in the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, Carroll highlights “more than 30 major global sporting events are coming to Australia across the next 10 years.”

In addition to the annual Australian Open tennis and Formula One (for which Melbourne recently retained the hosting rights until 2035), the country will host cricket’s men’s Twenty20 World Cup, Women’s Basketball World Cup and the UCI road cycling world championships this year.

It will then jointly hold FIFA’s Women’s World Cup (with New Zealand) in 2023, a British and Irish Lions rugby tour in 2025, Commonwealth Games in

World Athletics Cross Country Championships are to be held in Bathurst in 2023

Victoria in 2026, Netball World Cup in 2027 and Presidents Cup golf a year later before the Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane in 2032.

Carroll notes “sport brings health, educational and wellbeing benefits to the community and can play a pivotal role in getting Australians active, reducing obesity and other health-related problems including mental illness.”

In addition, Australia is hosting legs and stages in multiple international events in competitions including the World Surf League, Ironman Triathlon and Triathlon World Series and SailGP. Added to this, the new Crankworx Cairns event (reviewed on page 56 of this issue), will, according to Queensland Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy mark “the start of a golden decade of opportunity ahead of Queensland’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (with) events like Crankworx Cairns (to) demonstrate our region’s ability to host world-class events and remind international audiences of our stunning visitor attractions and experiences.”

However, hosting global competition such as the Olympics comes with a financial price tag.

As Popi Sotiriadou, Associate Professor of Sport Management at Queensland’s Griffith University, told AFP “the return on investment is a complex issue.

“There are things that we can’t measure - you can’t put a money value on national pride. There are so many of what we call ‘public goods’ that do not necessarily translate to dollars.

“There are legacies in terms of feel-good factors, people feel that connectedness with each other.

“And with any big sporting events we have that trickle-down effect, that inspirational effect of elite athletes’ success, the promotion of community, the boost to tourism, we have trade benefits, employment benefits, infrastructure benefits, better public facilities.”

Offsetting this is the potential for sporting events to create tens of thousands of jobs, with, just considering the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games alone, the Queensland Government anticipating the creation of over 130,000 direct jobs.

However, a recently released national survey by Deakin 18 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships are to be held in Penrith in 2025.

Credit: Team Australia Sprint/Slalom via auspaddleteam facebook

University revealed that while 97% of the population believe that Australia is a sporting nation, there is still low awareness of the projected industry growth and career potential in sport.

Director of Deakin Sport, Professor David Shilbury, says the survey findings speak to long-held biases about studying and pursuing sport-related careers in Australia.

Professor Shilbury advised “the Australian sport industry is one of the most diverse and celebrated in the world. However, it’s unsurprising to hear its size and expected growth is being underestimated.

“Although Australia produces some of the world’s more respected sport administrators, managers and scientists, it is typically the success of our athletes that steals the limelight, not so much the work that is achieved beyond the field of play.

“The next generation of sport professionals will be exposed to an exceptional number of opportunities, more so than any other generation. Those interested in sport or a sport-related field would be wise to begin developing their skills now, helping them to take full advantage of the rich career pathways that lie ahead.”

In addition, the ASC has advised that Australian sport will have to grow its pool of volunteers by 130,000 in the coming years to make the exciting decade of major events leading into Brisbane 2032 a success.

At the close of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, then-International Olympic Committee President, Juan Antonio Samaranch famously declared them “the best ever”.

Two decades on, Australia’s appreciation of the value of hosting events sees it uniquely placed not only from an operations perspective but also in areas from venue design and construction to management and marketing.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos, involved in the Rugby World Cup bid, said it made a big difference having strong government and public support.

Earlier this year, Marinos told SportsPro magazine that the nation has “such familiarity with having to host and engage on major events.

“The states and certainly the Federal Government are quite well versed in it so they understand that once you put a very compelling economic impact assessment in front of them, the decision-making process is relatively straightforward.”

Karen Sweaney is Editor of Australasian Leisure Management.

Virtus Oceania Asia Games to be held in Brisbane in 2022

Stand alone international events to be hosted by Australia in the next decade 2022 UCI Road World Championships Dates: 18th to 25th September 2022 Location: Wollongong, NSW 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Dates: 22nd September to 1st October 2022 Location: Sydney 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Dates: 16th October to 13th November 2022 Location: Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney 2022 International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Cup Dates: 3rd to 16th November 2022 (IBF World Cup), 16th to 23rd November 2022 (IBF Para World Cup) Location: Queensland

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (co-hosted with New Zealand) Dates: 20th July to 20th August 2023 Australian host cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide New Zealand host cities: Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington 2025 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships Dates: 1st to 6th October 2025 Location: Penrith, NSW 2026 2026 BMX World Championships Location: Brisbane

2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games Dates: 5th to 12th November 2022 Location: Brisbane

2026 Commonwealth Games Location: Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, Victoria

16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Dates: 13th to 18th December Location: Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

2027 2027 Rugby World Cup

2023 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships Date: 18th February 2023 Location: Bathurst, NSW 2023 World Transplant Games Dates: 15th April to 21st April 2023 Location: Perth

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Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 19

The Rise of NFTs: Digital Commemorative Tickets Nathan Simonds from House of Tickets explains surging fan demand for NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) and how these ’Digital Commemorative Tickets‘ are providing promoters and ticketing companies with exciting new revenue opportunities

2021, Jack Dorsey co-founder of Twitter, sold his first ever from 2006 as an NFT for $2.9 million. The transaction Iwasntweet to take NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) to a whole new level as promoters, ticketing companies and marketing executives began to realise how the flexibility of NFTs was about to shake up the entire commemorative and souvenir industry sector.

“The Jack Dorsey NFT was ground-breaking in that it was such an unusual commemorative item,” explains Nathan Simonds from House of Tickets one of the leading specialists in the ticketing sector. “It made people realise that anything could be built into an NFT. If a tweet could be tokenised into an NFT, what about a painting, an event, an iconic moment from sport, or even a slap at the Oscars?”

NFTs have been with us since 2014. Think of them like what Bitcoin is for currency, NFTs are for digital art/collectables. Like a one-of-a-kind digital asset, usually with compelling visual 20 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

assets to make it more attractive and desirable as opposed to a simple bar-coded digital ticket.

A mind-blowing US$41 billion was spent on NFTs in 2021.

This year, meanwhile, is already seeing up to US$20 million being spent on NFTs each week. They have already had an impact on the investment sector that many experts believe is here to stay.

As an additional complimentary solution to a physical souvenir ticket, when someone owns an NFT they actually own the rights to a digital file. All the data associated with that file is recorded on a public ledger ensuring the item has only one official owner at a time. That public ledger is secured on a blockchain such as Ethereum so no one can modify the record of ownership or copy/paste a new NFT into existence.

House of Tickets saw the potential of NFTs early on. As a ticket solutions provider they know full well that promoters

how designers like us can create a highly desirable digital item within moments of something happening and subsequently capitalise on the event whilst things are still at fever pitch.”

House of Tickets has already partnered with a number of promoters and ticketing agencies to provide them with links or web portals to promote and offer these one-of-a-kind digital mementos.

Simonds concludes “we live in a digital world, and it only makes sense that our collectibles are also available digitally.

“I believe we are only beginning to touch the surface of the role that NFTs are going to play in the commemorative and ticketing sectors. They will become far more creative, more desirable, and highly sought after and cherished for years to come.”

Nathan Simonds is Manageing Director of House of Tickets.

House of Tickets is Australia and New Zealand’s foremost ticket specialist servicing over 3,000 clients and producing in excess of 50 million tickets per annum.

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are constantly in need for new and innovative solutions to satisfy the growing number of fans wanting something exclusive, commemorative, and different. They partnered with Awesimo/Project Admission one of the leading specialists in the NFT sector with the aim of providing just that.

As Simonds explains “what excited us early on was not just the creativity that NFTs allowed,” explains Simonds, “but the diversity of industry sectors the concept embraced. Apart from providing a means to celebrate milestone sporting events, a solution to rewarding VIPs and loyal patrons, they also provide an effective platform for promoting sponsors.

“Awesimo provides the bridge between web 2 (what we all use now) and web 3 (blockchain, cryptocurrency) to allow customers to purchase NFTs using traditional online credit card processing while still allowing them a full web 3 experience (of taking ’self-custody‘). This provides us with the platform to design, make available, promote, and sell NFTs. In simple terms if a promoter comes to us wanting 1,000 exclusive NFTs for a worldwide artist’s final concert, we can design them, build the platform on which they can be purchased and fulfill the transactions.

“NFTs can be sold before, during and, most critically, after an event.

“Rights holders can simply deliver us a CSV file with names, seat locations and email addresses for fans to claim their NFTs following a concert or a sports event. This is incredibly exciting as it enables the industry to react spontaneously.”

Simonds sees NFTs as becoming a far bigger force than any of us had ever imagined in only a few short months. “These days fans are almost tribal in their passion and obsession with their idols,” he continues. “They want something rare, exclusive, and different which few others own. The beauty about NFTs is

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Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 21

Credit: Shutterstock.

Finding a balance in the transgender sport debate With sport’s governing bodies at loggerheads about transgender participation, Tracey Holmes believes that Australia can take the lead

S

wimming’s blanket ban on transgender women competing in international women’s events is the polar opposite of the International Olympic Committee’s framework suggesting inclusion first and review on a case-by-case basis.

Sport’s governing bodies now feel pressured into picking sides in what has become a culture war, although experts warn that Australian anti-discrimination policies would prevent such blanket bans from being adopted here.

The announcement by world aquatic sports governing body, FINA, of its “inclusionary policy” in the middle of June has left some describing it as “exclusionary”.

The policy allegedly cost the organisation $US1 million to research and was reportedly designed to withstand any legal or human rights challenge.

Delegates at the Extraordinary Congress being staged on the sidelines of the World Championships in Budapest did not get to see the 24-page document until 14 minutes before they were asked to vote on it.

Just over 71% of the 274 delegates voted in favour of the policy, 15% voted against, while just over 13% abstained.

The policy will only allow transgender women to compete in international competition if they transition before experiencing “any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12”.

According to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), that requirement is “unethical”.

Dr Jamison Green, the Chair 22 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

of WPATH’s ethics committee and a former President of the organisation, explains “where (FINA’s) current policy sits is outside the field of practice.

“People don’t transition medically before they are 12, that just doesn’t happen. That would be unethical.”

Lia Thomas’ win at intercollegiate swim titles puts spotlight on policy Despite being established more than 40 years ago with a mission to help devise evidence-based public policy, only two sporting bodies have sought WPATH’s advice - the National Collegiate Athletic Association in America (NCAA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

FINA’s policy was handed down after the focus on NCAA swimmer Lia Thomas, who in March became the first transgender woman to win a title at the intercollegiate championships. Her winning time for the 500 yards freestyle was more than nine seconds behind the record, and her times in other distances would not currently qualify her for the Olympics or World Championships.

Dr Green noted “the federations that have issued their regulations that are exclusionary at this point are failing, and I think they are going to have to revise those regulations at some point and I hope it’s soon because this is really harming generations of people.

“This filters down and young children are the ones who are going to suffer from this exclusion.

“They won’t be able to be part of their community, they won’t be able to share experiences with their peers, they won’t be able to learn the skills that are needed to survive, and it’s not just who’s the strongest and the fittest, it’s about how do we get along.

“That’s one of the things sport teaches us, and it’s very, very important to humanity.”

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Miller points to FINA’s recommendation to create a separate category for transgender swimmers as dangerous, adding “in many places in the world if I was to compete in a separate trans category that could get me killed.

“Marking us as ‘the other’ is not inclusion. That is not inclusion at all.

“I’m not angry, I’m disappointed in Cate that she didn’t reach out and speak to people like me and some of the other sporting organisations that have dealt with this for years. It made me sad that she has ‘othered’ us. I would still like to sit down with Cate here today and she can ask me anything.”

‘We just have to find a balance’ Sporting bodies such as FINA often refer to scientific data comparing the differences between men and women in arguing against transgender inclusion, ignoring the fact cis elite athletes are not in the normal range and studies on transgender athletes are still limited.

The lobby to preclude transgender women from competition constantly refers to them as biological males. This suggests a misunderstanding, at best, or wilful dismissal, at worst, of the years-long process required to transition with tests showing a steady decline in physical advantage.

One of the most influential women’s voices in world sport is former US Olympic swimming champion Donna de Verona. She was a long-serving member of the IOC’s Women in Sport Commission, a founder of the Women’s Sports Foundation and now serves as an adviser to Champion Women, a group heavily involved in the lobbying to keep women’s sport for those born female in what’s been termed a “safe space”. de Verona explains “we are not in favour of banning transgender youth in sports at all. We just have to find a balance that’s fair to everyone, and that’s a problem in our country now because it’s become such a political football.

“The far right has captured it, and the far left is saying everyone should play, there should be no policy, we just have to find a middle ground.

“Anyone of us that has been sidelined understands what its like to be left out and not have a support system.

“I know (FINA) worked very hard for a very long time and brought in scientists, athletes, researchers and human rights experts to develop their policy. From my point of view, they did the best they could in providing a balance.”

FINA’s working group charged with designing an open category for transgender swimmers does not currently have a deadline to work to. FINA has also been reluctant to reveal the science they relied on in reaching their policy decision, and who their experts were.

The lack of transparency has led to an ugly, bigoted social media campaign built on fear, targeting trans athletes and their support groups. de Verona says while there may never be a transgender swimmer at the Olympics, the addition of trans swimmers at lower levels of the sport has raised other concerns.

She adds “we have a whole different system in the United States where we are struggling with how to be fair, how to look at recreational sport versus participatory sport and how to look at elite sport.

“In this country, high school sport is a pathway to scholarships and opportunity and elite sport, which then leads to the Olympics and so on.

Cate Campbell NSW Swim State Open March 2021. Credit Nina Beilby/Swimming NSW.

Cate Campbell comments criticised Cate Campbell, Olympic gold medallist and chair of the Australian Olympic Committee’s athlete’s commission, delivered an emotive speech to FINA delegates ahead of the vote that was widely praised in swimming circles.

Excerpt from Cate Campbell’s speech to FINA delegates: “Usually, inclusion and fairness go hand-in-hand. To create a place that is inclusive is to create a space that is fair. Transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary athletes’ inclusion in the female category of elite sport is one of the few occasions where these two principles come into conflict.

“The incongruity that inclusion and fairness cannot always work together is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to talk about this topic.

“Usually, they are terms of absolutes which work together, yet science now tells us, that in this issue, they are incompatible.

“I stand before you, as a four-time Olympian, a world champion and a world record holder. I stand before you, as a beneficiary of fair, elite competition. Yet my job today is not to explain the nuances of FINA’s transgender policy. Nor is it to defend the conclusions reached by medical and legal professionals of much greater intellect than mine.

“My role is to stand before you, as an athlete who has enjoyed many, many years in this sport and who hopes to continue to enjoy a few more years. To stand here and tell the transgender and gender-diverse community that we want you to be part of the broader swimming community.

“We see you, value you and accept you.”

Campbell goes on to say that men and women are physiologically different, which cannot be disputed and supports the recommendation of a separate category for transgender women.

Transgender woman Kirsti Miller, who has competed in numerous sports pre- and post-transitioning, says the situation is a lot more nuanced.

Miller advised “they didn’t see us, or accept us, or value us, because none of us were in the room when they voted on us.

“I would have adored to have been there and they could’ve asked me anything. I don’t call anyone transphobic for asking questions.”

24 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Credit: Shutterstock

“They are two distinct things and there is a lot of fear on both sides.

“What I’m concerned about is all those states that want to ban transgender kids from school sports on every level without any policy.

“That’s fearmongering and it’s not the appropriate direction so that’s why we’re all struggling on the National Olympic Committee level, on the federation level and on each sport, and we’re trying to find the answer.

“We’re in a whole world of confusion and what does it come down to? Yes, it comes down to fairness, I think, and protected class, but if we also really believe that everyone should enjoy sport, we have to accommodate every population.”

Australia can be a ‘global leader’ Australian sports organisations, such as Swimming Australia, would be unable to bring in a blanket ban such as FINA’s, because of anti-discrimination laws. In relation to sport, discrimination on the basis of strength, stamina and physique is possible but advantage cannot be assumed, it needs to be proven.

Former sex discrimination commissioner and UN special rapporteur for discrimination against girls and women, Elizabeth Broderick, says Australian sports are in a position to be global leaders on the issue, believing there is a genuine commitment to do so.

“I’m fortunate enough to convene a group of CEOs of all the national sporting organisations across this country and just recently we had a deep dive into these issues,” Ms Broderick said.

“It wasn’t just from one perspective, we were able to get an international perspective, we were able to include the voices of the lived experience of transgender women athletes, and also from the science of leading endocrinologists.

“To come to it firstly with an open heart but also a strong belief in dignity, respect, inclusion and equality… is the context in which we should be having this discussion.

“I really feel optimistic actually that here in Australia we can be counter-cyclical. I know a lot of global bodies have set blanket bans in the last few days and I think Australia can do something different.”

With an extensive career in television and radio, specialising predominantly in sport, Tracey Holmes currently presents The Ticket every Sunday on ABC News.

This article was first published on the ABC News website.

Swimming Australia welcomes new FINA policy on transgender athletes for offering ‘clarity’ The introduction of new policies that will effectively prevent transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s swimming by world aquatics body FINA has been welcomed by Swimming Australia.

While there are currently no transgender women competing in elite levels of swimming, the topic has had a high profile this year and Swimming Australia had been a leader in pushing FINA to find a resolution to the issue.

In a statement released after FINA’s vote in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Swimming Australia advised “FINA has conducted a comprehensive process to form this policy, consulting scientific, medical, legal and human rights experts, as well as athlete representatives.

“We appreciate FINA’s thorough work on this issue, as well as the clarity it provides in relation to all FINA competitions and FINA recognised World Records.

“Swimming Australia endorses a competitive environment that is fair and equitable for all athletes at the High Performance level, and we believe this new policy reflects that position.

“We also firmly believe in inclusivity and the opportunity for all athletes to experience the sport of swimming in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression.

“It is both our responsibility and commitment to continue to learn and educate ourselves on the appropriate balance in this space.

“Work will now continue on our domestic policy to provide guidance to our broad swimming family at the community level.

“Finally, we commend FINA on their pledge to create an open competition category, a first in world sport, and look forward to working with the committee established to find the most effective ways to implement this category.

FINA is now creating a working group to investigate establishing an ‘open’ category for transgender athletes in some events as part of its new policy.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) also backed FINA’s decision, saying sports were bound to ensure participation was “fair and safe.”

An AOC spokesperson advised “while inclusivity must be respected, fairness in competition is a core value of sport.

“FINA has made a decision based on the circumstances in the sport of swimming to achieve that balance.”

FINA’s new 24-page policy, effective from Monday 20th June, explains new rules covering how transgender men and women will be allowed to compete in elite competitions.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 25

Strength to Strength Brittany Bennett gets BFT’s Richard Burnet and Cameron Falloon to explain the world’s growing love affair with the franchise ince its inception as Body Fit Training in Melbourne in 2017, BFT has certainly been going from strength to strength.

STwice the recipient of FIT Summit’s APAC Fitness Franchise of the Year Award - in December last year and in June 2022 there is a high demand to become a studio owner and it’s not surprising given the calibre of star power keen to secure their own studio.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the past 12 months has seen BFT shaking off the ongoing compulsory lockdowns and stringent social distancing regulations, rising to achieve a number of major milestones including opening their 200th studio, and a $60 million cash up-front partnership with Xponential Fitness - the owner of multiple exercise brands including Club Pilates, CycleBar and Pure Barre - to launch in the USA and Canada.

Headed by joint Chief Executives Cameron Falloon and Richard Burnet, BFT has been described as Australia’s “cult workout regime”, the fast growing franchise has attracted attention all around the globe, including elite athletes such as former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine and past NRL stars Robbie Farah and James and Mitchell Aubusson.

Burnet explains “it’s an incredible pleasure to join forces with 26 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

BFT’s joint Chief Executives Richard Burnet (above left) and Cameron Falloon (above right)

world renowned fitness operators to continue global growth and strengthen our brand for our franchisees and members.

Despite pandemic, we are proud of the 35,000+ strong member base we have created and our supportive franchisees who continue to believe in the brand, and we look forward to taking BFT to the next level.”

BFT‘s mission of spreading their results driven progressive group training to the world is increasingly becoming reality.

Having also expanded into Asia with 22 studios in Singapore alone, and the United Kingdom with four new locations getting ready for opening day, there is now interest in both Ireland and Malaysia.

Burnett also notes “New Zealand is almost completely sold out and back in Australia, the NSW market is expanding rapidly.”

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The success of the BFT Franchise Burnet believes the success of BFT lies in following the franchise framework, drawing on the expertise of those who have gone before you and using the established proven successful processes, explaining “trust the already established system and don’t come in trying to fix what’s not broken.”

In addition to recommending investing time into making team members feeling valued and motivated, he advises “like any service business, part of the BFT fitness model pivots around establishing great relationships and creating an electric energy that inspire referrals.”

Falloon and Burnet dream big. Backed by Xponential Fitness, their goal is to expand on the USA market from its current locations, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Santa Monica, California, and grow to 500 BFT studios in the coming years.

28 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

The Franchise dream Becoming a franchisee is appealing, which Falloon attributes to the low cost, high yield, stating “depending on the site rent - obviously different for each site - studios can be profitable from opening day. Throughout 2021, the average number of members on opening day was 153. Not to mention, member visits average 4.7 visits a week, which is double the industry standard.”

Falloon sees the difference coming from investing in people, noting “there are three pillars to our business: members, franchisees and franchisor. It’s about making it a great experience for everyone. If we fail to look after our franchisees, the members don’t get the experience they deserve. Therefore it’s important to us that we invest in the people. Looking after our franchisees means they’re happy and in turn, the customers are well looked after.”

Anyone can be a franchise holder and invest in BFT, but to be an owner operator, you need to be a certified trainer with a minimum of a Cert IV to be working the gym floor and work as the head trainer. These impeccably high standards are essential to maintaining brand integrity.

Falloon adds “we have a very thorough onboarding process, which is regularly monitored even after completion. Every 13 weeks, we visit sites and offer continuing education and training.

We have also joined forces with best in class organisation like StrongFirst: School of Strength and Functional training.”

Owning a BFT will propel you straight into capitalising into the global $80 billion fitness industry (as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine).

This has drawn heavy hitters to invest in BFT studios with more than a dozen Australian sporting identities owning a franchise. The aforementioned Tim Paine has collaborated with Tasmanian cricketer, George Bailey and ex-St Kilda footballer Nick Riewoldt to secure the BFT rights in Tasmania, under the umbrella brand of BFT Tasmania.

Paine comments “it gives punters access to the elite training programs we’ve experienced.”

In NSW, Ballina is home to the BFT Studio owned by the Aubusson brothers, and the Melbourne studios in Southbank, Collingwood and Preston are owned by AFL Essendon legend, Zach Merrett.

However, the fitness brand is not exclusive to elite athletes.

Owning a studio isn’t out of reach for the risk-adverse, small scale investor. Set up costs range between $180,000 to $250,000 depending on the location and commercial lease.

The BFT point of difference Each program for BFT was designed by professional strength and conditioning coach, founder, Falloon, whose reputation in the fitness industry includes accolades such as coaching highprofile AFL and football teams as well as having been personal trainer to the late Princess of Wales, Diana.

BFT’s uniqueness comes from focussing on using all the

body’s energy systems with the ‘progressive training model’, in conjunction with a prescribed heart rate that doesn’t involve going flat out for as long as possible.

Heart-specific training system Using science and technology to drive positive outcomes, BFT has incorporated scientifically proven training techniques aimed at reducing fat and creating lean muscle into a variety of 50 minute training sessions that are overseen by highly accredited coaches in a dynamic group environment.

High levels of visual content showcasing programs are shown on multiple digital displays throughout the studio and allow coaches to spend more time concentrating on members.

In addition, BFT’s own innovative heart rate system, driving positive outcomes for all fitness levels, allows BFT to reward members on a prescribed heart rate, rather than simply just high heart rate like normal heart rate monitors.

The completely bespoke system is a world first in group training and is completely aligned with BFT programs.

Burnet concludes “we’ve refined and proven our unique BFT System and group training model over 18 months across multiple sites in Australia, and there are franchise opportunities available for owner operators who want a hands-on approach to the business, or entrepreneurs keen to generate a passive income by appointing studio managers to look after the daily operations.”

Brittany Bennett is Director of Bennett PR and experthub.com.au

BFT’s Federal Court win and F45’s provocative trademark move As reported in the last issue of Australasian Leisure Management, in February this year, a four year legal action undertaken by rival functional training brand F45 against BFT in which F45 alleged infringement of one of its patents, ended with the Federal Court of Australia ruling in favour of BFT. However, as exclusively revealed by this magazine, it has emerged that on the final day of the Federal Court proceedings, F45 made trademark applications for the word ‘Bodyfit’ in New Zealand, Canada and Singapore - three of the five countries BFT currently operates in.

In a statement released to Australasian Leisure Management, BFT advised “this (action) raises the question what legitimate interest does F45 have in trademarks similar to the words associated with one of its biggest competitors? Ultimately, in BFT’s opinion, it is F45’s franchisees and shareholders who are losing out through unnecessary litigation and tactics such as this.

“BFT welcomes the competitive relationship between the two brands, but questions why F45 would waste money on litigation rather than investing in their core product and supporting their network of franchisees.”

The statement added “BFT with the full support of Xponential Fitness, will remain unintimidated by the litigious strategy adopted by F45 and continue to focus on their operations and franchisee support.”

In another win for BFT, on 24th May 2022, F45 filed a notice of discontinuance, discontinuing the proceedings, pursuant to which, F45 was required to pay BFT’s costs.

Credit: BFT Australasian Leisure Management Publisher, Nigel Benton notes “F45’s actions in relation to BFT would appear to be designed to preoccupy the business in legal matters while also casting doubt in the minds of potential BFT franchisees. For example, a potential franchisee doing a search for BFT will likely find references to legal action, which may be off putting.”

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 29

Built to perform, Engineered to last James Croll investigates how the installation of playing surfaces is just as critical as the choice of the surface itself when it comes to ensuring high quality playing performance and safety

I

n 2009 following a surge in demand for higher quality playing surfaces, world football governing body FIFA launched its FIFA Preferred Provider (FPP) initiative. The objectives of the initiative were twofold. In the first instance, it was launched to address the need for higher quality surfaces, not just in the product itself but in the installation process. It also however aimed to protect the interests of the consumers when Tuff Turf installation at Nicolls School.

30 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

purchasing pitches to ensure they met ambitious standards when it came to performance and safety. The initiative was well received by venues across all levels, from community through to elite level, due to the growing demand among consumers for the best possible surfaces.

One of the first turf suppliers to become FPP accredited was CCGrass. Based in Vietnam, the company owns the largest synthetic turf factory in the world and has been providing artificial grass for both sports and landscape purposes for more than 20 years. It produces more football fields than any other global artificial grass manufacturer. In fact, its daily production equals four full-size artificial football turf fields.

Since it became FPP accredited the company has seen its reputation grow significantly with its surfaces being adopted by the likes of Chelsea FC, Olympiacos CFP, and by a number of international tournaments, such as the FIFA U-15 World Cup, FIFA U-17 World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2015 Summer Universiade (Gwangju), 2017 Summer Universiade (Taipei), and the Homeless World Cup. The company is one of only a select number of manufacturers worldwide that is a preferred producer for all FIFA surfaces and for that matter FIH and IRB surfaces.

WORLD CLASS SURFACES

Tuff Turf installation at Melbourne’s Veneto Club.

The exclusive Australian supplier of CCGrass is Melbourne based Tuff Group. Since it was founded over a decade ago, Tuff Group has grown to become a significant player in the industry.

Its success is due to its structure with the company having developed specialised divisions for the design, construction, management, and maintenance of sporting facilities.

Tuff Group Commercial Operations Manager, Travis Knight explains “as a team, we are driven to serve the community and this sees us collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, from State Government to local sporting clubs.

“As a measure to manage and control the quality of our projects, Tuff Group have invested significantly in our team to ensure we can provide in-house, end-to-end boutique project solutions.

This means we have specialised sports facility designers and engineers, experienced and qualified project managers, some of the most experienced synthetic surfacing installers in the industry, and a dedicated in-house maintenance division.”

“As a company, we aim to create spaces that engage and uplift the communities in which they reside, and in doing so, Tuff Group are responsible for some of the highest quality FIFA, AFL, and FIH fields in Australia.

“Our exclusive arrangement with CCGrass and being one of the very few specialists able to provide FPP accredited surfaces has been crucial to this as it cements our reputation for delivering elite sports surface construction.”

Tuff Group recently celebrated the completion of their 25th certified FIFA Quality football field, a milestone achievement by any standard.

As a FIFA Preferred Provider (FPP), CCGrass’s artificial football turf systems excel in all FIFA tests, such as ball roll (48m), vertical ball rebound (0.6-0.85m), shock absorption (62%68%) and skin friction (0.35-0.75). To date, over 180 CCGrass artificial football turf systems have been tested and recognized to comply with FIFA standards while over 200 CCGrass football turf pitches have been received FIFA Quality Pro and FIFA Quality certifications. This rigorous testing is key to maintaining

32 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

the high standards of quality and performance control that the initiative was set up to achieve.

An excellent example of these high standards is the recently completed Tuff Group synthetic FIFA field at Veneto Club in Bulleen, Victoria. The venue services both the local club, and the Melbourne Victory Women’s Team as a training field. The project provides a typical case study since, like all installation projects involving CCGrass, the most challenging stage was not laying the surface itself but constructing the base the turf was placed on. No matter what the quality of the surface itself, it fails if the base is not perfectly engineered and prepared.

Knight states “the installation stage generally takes up 20 to 25% of the cost and timeframe of a typical project.

“However, it is the most visible and highly scrutinised part of any job. CCGrass stands up to the highest scrutiny and correct and diligent installation ensures that surfaces not only look good but perform as expected under time and duress. Rushing the installation stage will quickly cause problems.”

The Veneto Club project was supported by the Victorian Government through the Northeast Link Project and Tuff Group were engaged as subcontractors through Mainbrace Construction. The company was tasked to provide the full package including earthworks, fencing, lighting, and surrounding landscape works.

Knight adds “the chosen product; Vmax50 combines two hard wearing yarns together.

“Through the resilient ‘V shape’ monofilament, excellent ball roll is achieved, while the split, fibrillated yarn holds the infill in place and as a result offers great performance characteristics.

The combined yarns are densely tufted and show exceptional wear; over 150,000 cycles on the Lisport tester, remaining upright for longer than other turf systems.”

The extensive Lisport testing is interesting and key to the quality of the product. Lisport is a new generation of wear simulation machine which replicates realistic wear simulation of sport fields after years of usage. The wear pattern is characterised by the compressive stress of football studs (cleats) and the abrasive wear caused by flat-soled sports shoes. The testing is a major step forward in excellence, and it is already adopted by the industry as the most state of the art means of producing realistic simulated patterns.

Since completion the Vmax50 surface at Veneto has been so well received that the venue has seen a surge in participation, complemented by a significant rise in performance and safety with the local community engaging with the new world class facility. The surface has enabled the tier two Victorian Premier League Bulleen Lions, and all ages of football players to play on a daily basis for over 60 hours a week.

Tuff Group recently gained ISO9001 certification for Quality Management in all aspects of their operations in the design, construction, and maintenance, of elite sporting facilities.

The certification completes a trilogy of ISO Certificates. This, along with a reputation for delivering quality projects as well as an increasing demand internationally for FFP accredited surfaces, has seen Tuff Group called on to install CCGrass turf internationally. To date, the company have completed FIFAgrade installations in five countries.

Knight concludes “we know that one of the things that sets us apart is that we have the internal resources to help our clients with everything from the concept phase, right through to installation and ongoing maintenance.

“The CCGrass product now enjoys a reputation that is second to none but correct installation is vital. Because of our experience, expertise, and unique structure with specialists in all key areas, we can help clients work out exactly what they need from a FIFA-grade surface and the best way to achieve it within budget.”

James Croll manages client and partner relations for Australasian Leisure Management.

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Tokyo 2020 Hockey Credit: Polytan/Getty images

Climate Positive Turf: ‘You Play. We Plant’ James Croll explores how a pioneering sports surface developed for the Tokyo Games, is not only a game changer in sustainable sports surfacing but is also supporting African communities with the creation of a forest in rural Kenya

T

he Olympic Games of Tokyo 2020 was unusual for a number of reasons. Not just because it was the first crowd-free games as a result of the pandemic but also due to a number of ground-breaking targets the organising committee set which were subsequently achieved. Perhaps the most ambitious and impressive of these was the objective of being the world’s first carbon neutral games.

This objective became a key factor in the preparations for the games, in particular the planning and preparations surrounding venues and surfaces. As a result, it became the main focus for Sport Group, the world’s largest business dedicated to sports surfaces, who have developed and installed the hockey pitches at ten Olympic Games, including Tokyo.

Paul Kamphuis, General Manager of Polytan Asia Pacific and global head of hockey for Sport Group, explains “the objectives of the organising committee for the Tokyo Games fell very much in line with our current focus on Green Technology (GT) and the development of Climate Positive Turf.

“Our vision for some time has been to develop a ‘totally green supply chain’ for sports surfaces that enables us to create climate-positive products for turf and athletic tracks.”

This focus has seen Sport Group transform the sports surface sector with the acquisition and development of a comprehensive number of company brands including AstroTurf, Melos, Polytan and APT as well as world-leading product brands such as SynLawn (landscaping) Laykold (courts), LigaTurf (football turf), Poligras (hockey turf) and Rekortan (tracks). The Group’s reputation across all its brands has largely been built on its unique business model of covering the complete value chain, including R&D, chemicals, manufacturing, and installation.

To help realise the organising committee’s vision for the 36 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Tokyo Games, Sport Group spent two years developing Poligras® Tokyo GT®; the world’s first climate positive turf.

Poligras® Tokyo GT® was proof that the field of play can have a positive impact, not just on the game, but also the planet.

Sport Group Asia Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Jim Tritt advises “the transformation requires a material science driven by a technical process development along the whole value chain of turf production.

“By creating the industry’s only fully integrated global supply chain we can deliver unmatched quality control looking at sustainability in all its dimensions, including its sport technical performance, long-term value for the customers, ecological footprint, and compliance. We also look for products with positive effects like reduction of fertilisers, pesticides, and water. We invest in the supply chain to create value for the customers and a sustainable future for sport.”

Breakthroughs like Poligras® Tokyo GT® often require a wide range of internal and external experts and strong, committed partners. Internally Sport Group invested in their in-house knowledge, with research teams and resources from their global research and development network. Externally they conducted a worldwide search for responsible partners and suppliers. This resulted in a network of expert partners such as polymer and materials scientists, testing institutes and universities.

But why hockey?

Kamphuis advises that ultimately, there were three reasons, commenting “firstly, the hockey community has a long tradition with synthetic turf which means they are very conscious of sustainability and long-term value, and they are always seeking a better product.

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“Secondly, we chose hockey turf because it is a complex texturised product with high fine-tuned performance requirements. As such it was the ‘acid test’; if we can create an elite Green Technology hockey turf then we could make Green Technology turfs for all other sports, too.

“Finally, we wanted to support Tokyo’s ambition for carbon neutral Olympic Games. We wanted to contribute to this important message and increase environmental consciousness in product development. “ Poligras® Tokyo GT® was made by Sport Group’s manufacturing arm - APT, in conjunction with the Group’s design and installation company - Polytan Asia Pacific to align with both Tokyo 2020’s progressive sustainability policies and the stringent performance requirements of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Tritt notes “the turf itself features filaments made from over 60% re-growable raw materials, specifically sugar cane. Using Bio-based PE results in a sustainable dimension being added to the playing properties of the tried-and-tested polyethylene monofilament fibres. This aligned with the company’s focus on products with positive effects for the sustainability yet still retaining precise performance for elite sport.”

Bio-based materials reduce the amount of carbon used in the manufacturing process. By using 60% bio-based materials, Poligras® Tokyo GT® saved 28 tonnes of CO2 per turf when compared to manufacturing a traditional hockey turf. With four Poligras Tokyo GT turfs in use at the Tokyo Olympics the saving amounted to 112 tonnes of CO2; the same amount of CO2 that is stored in a typical 8.5-hectare forest, or the equivalent area of 14 hockey fields.

Tritt adds “we chose sugar cane-based PE technology since it gave us the highest yield of renewable content matching to all technical performance requirements.

“Our PE used is based on more than 85% on sugar cane and just 15% being based on standard petro-chemistry. Our partners were able to provide a product that we could further develop to create a bio-based PE formulation that met our needs of a high-performance turf yarn.”

What else is important for Green Technology?

Tritt continues “it is not just the raw materials but also what energy source has been used to create it. You need to consider where the energy is coming from that is used to create the polymer and to produce the yarn and finally the turf. Is it wind, solar or waterpower? Where possible, we used only wind and non-fossil based energy to manufacture the Tokyo GT turf. This is very important when you make the total CO2 balance.”

Other sustainable features of Poligras® Tokyo GT® include a shock pad that sits underneath the surface which uses fully recycled rubber and a binder that has been produced with CO2.

This world-first component called Cardyon® - a polyol containing CO2 captured from factory emissions, reduces both emissions and the amount of crude oil required in the binder by 20%. This is a huge advancement in making the chemical and plastics 38 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

manufacturing industries greener, by reducing emissions and bringing CO2 back into the value chain in the process.

Aside from Green Technology used to develop Poligras® Tokyo GT®, the surface also offers first-class playability and performance for hockey players and has been tested and certified by the FIH. Ball speeds have increased by 15% compared to Poligras Platinum which was used at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Produced in Green factories Sport Group was also keen to ensure there was a strong focus on the sustainable way that Poligras® Tokyo GT® was produced for the Games. The turf was manufactured in Germany and Australia in ISO certified factories. These factories adopt many environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, including using green electricity and recycling rainwater. By adopting green technology across everything they did, APT minimised the negative effects on the environment from every feasible angle. The award-winning Melbourne plant, in particular, has played a large part in establishing APT’s reputation as the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based surfaces, and for providing safe, reliable, and high-performing sports and recreational surfaces worldwide.

Tritt goes on to say “our Melbourne plant is the largest sports and recreational distribution facility in the southern hemisphere. It supplies local and international markets with Australian Made products that support the Australian economy and communities.

“Our commitment to environmental sustainability means that we are continually developing products and processes to reduce the sporting sector’s footprint and lessen the impact on the environment. APT products are made with renewable resources and their systems are comprised of both renewable and recycled materials. In fact, many APT products are used by organisations including schools, clubs, parks, and even homeowners around the world, to improve their green ratings and practices whilst reducing operation costs.”

You play, we plant As a further statement to its commitment to sustainability, Sport Group has developed an initiative with Treedom and created the Polytan Forest in Kenya. For every Poligras® Tokyo GT® turf laid, they plant the equivalent of a hockey team in trees.

Over the course of their lives all planted trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere and benefit the whole planet. The Polytan Forest also promotes biodiversity and reforestation, enabling small farmers to create and maintain their livelihoods and grow fruit as a source of food and income for local communities.

Kamphuis concludes “to date 54 hockey venues in 14 countries have installed Poligras Tokyo GT turfs.

“This saves 1,512 tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere, which is the amount of CO2 stored in a forest the size of 196 hockey turfs. The figures speak for themselves.”

James Croll manages client and partner relations for Australasian Leisure Management.

High Energy Nigel Benton looks at the challenges to maximising the energy efficiency of Australian aquatic facilities

R

ising energy costs and, in particular, the recent surge in the price of gas, has the potential to dramatically increase the cost of aquatic centre operations, highlighting the need for facilities to consider switching to electric appliances and increase their use of renewables.

In a way, as local governments look to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the current price rises are bringing a sharp focus to the challenges faced by the owners and operators of aquatic assets.

With Australian aquatic facilities traditionally being highly energy inefficient, Derek Harbison, Director at Negawatt Projects, suggests that aquatic facilities consume up to 15 times more energy per floor area compared to an average commercial office building.

Harbison advises “aquatic centres in Australia currently use too much energy and these next price rises are going to push that over the top for some centres.

“After the last price rise for gas in Victoria the aquatic centre industry had a wakeup call and now they are looking down the barrel of severe financial pressure if no action is taken.”

For many operators and businesses the immediate shortterm impacts of surging gas or electricity prices may be tempered by longer-term 12-to-24-month power purchasing agreements.

However, that gain may only be short term, with Paolo Bevilacqua, General Manager at Frasers Property Australia’s wholly-owned behind-the meter energy retailing business Real Utilities, explaining “if you locked into an energy contract 12 or 24 months ago and you’re about to come out of that, let’s say over this winter, you’re potentially going to see a 50% cost increase.”

Harbison urges the Australian aquatic industry to look at best

practice in energy use intensity (EUI - kWh energy consumption per square metre per year), a measure that shows many facilities performing poorly.

He also urges aquatic facility owners, designers and operators to consider measures to reduce energy costs including looking for insulation opportunities for walls, ceiling and glazing; moving to electricity for air and water heating; recovering heat wherever possible and using thermal and electrical storage where possible.

He also suggests the introduction of LED lights, pool blankets, solar heating and other technologies, all of which can be retrofitted.

In recent years, to reduce energy consumption there has been a lot of focus on plant and plant upgrades (driven, in part, by the availability of grants, rebates and innovative capital deferring options) as well as on facility design.

With design, architects and many current facilities are aspiring to achieve the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star rating, but Harbison questions whether that really is a true measure of a building’s energy efficiency, commenting that EUI “is a better gauge of the efficiency of facilities and is commonly used in measuring European centres”.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Australian facilities lag far behind international best practice in energy efficiency.

However, among emerging examples of best practice is the Pimpama Sports Hub on the Gold Coast, one of Australia’s first sports and community hubs designed to be 100% energy self-sufficient.

The precinct’s 1924 solar panels generate enough renewable energy to power the site, backed by 444 kilowatts of battery storage. It also includes cogeneration power systems to assist with heating the pool that can be used as a backup in the event of a power outage or grid failure.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 39

Technical note on aquatic centre design by the SUHO consultancy

Solar installation at Pimpama Sports Hub’s aquatic centre.

The latest installation eclipses one of the Gold Coast’s largest existing clean energy-generating installations at a leisure facility which is the 312-kilowatt system at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, that was completed as the swimming and diving facility for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Pimpama Sports Hub’s power-generating capacity is a major boost to Gold Coast City Council’s Virtual Power Plant, which already harnesses solar energy from more than 47 city buildings. Overall, the Gold Coast has around 3.3MW solar PV system capacity, saving ratepayers around $400,000 a year in energy costs.

Michael Cook, Principal at Hunt Architects, has highlighted how councils need to look beyond plant upgrades to deliver energy efficiency, suggesting “swapping end-of-life or inefficient plant for modern technologies is only half the opportunity.

“Poorly performing building envelopes represent a ready issue to be addressed, with refurbishment offering compounding benefits when combined with plant upgrades.”

Referencing RMIT modelling that shows energy savings in excess of 55% are achievable with a high-performance building envelope compared to a typical aquatic centre, Cook cites insulation, glazing, airtightness and the prevention of thermal bridging as being able to help council-owned aquatic assets reduce energy consumption and move closer to net zero.

He sees this focus on plant upgrades alone and to all-electric systems as being driven in part by the availability of grants, rebates and innovative capital deferring options.

Cook points out “most councils are currently fixated on the shocking energy bills and early failures of mechanical plant. As a result, there is still a lot of confusion and anxiety in councils

In the southeast of Australia, and perhaps beyond, indoor pools have historically been designed in such a way that suggests … continuous thermal enclosures were not a priority. Gaps in a building’s thermal enclosure - including gaps in construction, thermal bridging and low performance glazing - seem ubiquitous. Such gaps result in heat loss as well (as) condensation.

Insulation is a key component of the thermal enclosure.

There seems to be a wide variation of insulation levels used in pool halls (above water). Except for some spas, it is unclear if most pools were insulated below ground at all.

Some seem to be entirely uninsulated while some seem to have … at times discontinuous insulation. Additionally, water leaks also seem to commonly plague many pool shells.

The historical approach to ‘address’ condensation is to use warm air on cold surfaces - that is, to make the condensation evaporate into the air (as warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air). The warm air also reduces the heat loss from the pool water, particularly if the air is warmer than the water. This results in a huge energy demand on heating air and subsequently exhausting it.

(The air directed at the glazing in a Southbank pool is 40C for example.) Hot air at the glazed facade means thermal bridges leak more heat. And because the air needs to be changed over, there is a very significant amount of energy lost from continuously exhausting warm, moist air and heating intake air. While some pool halls include heat recovery systems to minimise heat loss, it is unclear how efficient these systems are, if they are integrated into ventilation systems and if these are prefabricated, off-theshelf systems or a customised component.

Besides visible condensation, invisible condensation within wall construction is also problematic, as it is associated with risks such as mould, rot and/or corrosion.

Noy Hildebrand, Sustainable Design Consultant and Architect.

SUHO is the oldest specialised sustainable building consultancy firm in Australia.

Comparisons of energy efficiency in facilities showing Fit2Swim facility in Maroubra, NSW as a best practice example. Credit: Negawatt.

40 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

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about how best to proceed.

“But reaching for net zero is not simply about the systems and technology and a like-for-like swap in terms of plant capacity.

It’s also about driving efficiencies in the use of energy so that demand is reduced.

“Get the passive, set-and-forget elements right in terms of the building envelope and you can drive down capital expenditure simply by reducing the size of the plant required.

“And with lower operating costs, a centre can draw closer to budget neutrality, returning funds for programs and stabilising entry costs, or simply lowering council overheads.”

Operating 24/7, with high internal operating temperatures (relative to ambient air) and high chemical content, council-owned aquatic assets have disproportionately high carbon footprints.

Glazing typically releases its heat eight to nine times faster than an adjacent wall, while skylights release a staggering 17 times more energy than the adjacent roof. Even a typical insulated wall consumes over 30% more energy to keep warm than a high-performance wall.

A 2019 study by Dr Jean Jonathan Duverge of the Northern Environmental Design Pty Ltd (Energy performance and water usage of aquatic centre, RMIT Dissertation: Abstract)

benchmarked “the energy consumption of aquatic centres ranged between 648 kWh/m2 and 2,283 kWh/m2”.

This means some centres are using 3.5 times more energy for every metre of floor space compared to their more energyefficient counterparts.

For those centres facing a bigger net zero challenge, it’s especially good news that the benefits of plant upgrades can be multiplied when combined with general refurbishments.

Cook points out that retrofit approach can also bring significant health and wellbeing benefits for staff and patrons, noting “these include upgraded air quality through improved circulation, temperature comfort and reduced odours.

“Most retrofit options can be undertaken while the centre is operating and most result in a set-and-forget or lowmaintenance outcome. Air quality and condensation issues are also improved.

“With the drive for net zero, it’s well worth councils sitting down with an aquatic centre design specialist who can assess the specific needs and challenges, recommend tailored solutions and model the savings, advise on the grants and rebates available in each state, and look after the refurbishment project from start to finish.”

Cook recently led the delivery of the Fit2Swim swim centre in Maroubra, NSW, built using a unique insulated design.

Prior to its recent addition of rooftop solar panels, the centre was costing less than $100 week to run - with energy costs lower than most modern homes, the new swim school is outperforming even the best-practice benchmark by about eight times at 78 vs 648 kWh/m2/annum.

With its rooftop solar installation now complete, the facility is the most energy efficient swim centre in Australia with owner Dan Glass anticipating zero dollar bills and potential power rebates into the future.

Nigel Benton is Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management.

Rebuild or Renew? ith local governments having to weigh up the challenge of Australia’s ageing stock of aquatic centres against W the rising cost of new facilities, technology is presenting new solutions for the refurbishment of older aquatic infrastructure.

Robert Savell, Managing Director of Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd, is aware that in refurbishing older centres, an old gravity sand filtration and the carbon content contained is an often overlooked asset.

Fearing that such systems are “simply written off” by many consultants, Savell has experience that upgrading gravity sand filters can be done at a relatively low cost.

Savell explains “we have been converting concrete gravity sand filters since 2010 and no new filter system compares.

“Our Hybrid Vacuum Gravity Sand (HVGS) filters have been installed on 50 metre pools upgrading flow rates to current codes.”

42 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Savell is passionate about the cost advantages of pool renovations, citing the cost advantages achieved by updating, highlighting that access ramps and extra lanes have been successfully added to old pool structures.

Hydrocare has been involved with concrete filter cells for over 30 years and has specialised in Gravity Sand upgrades for the past 12 years. The performance of the filters is due to the Filter Nozzle design which allows for the improved flow and backwashing.

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Gravity sand filtration is an effective and efficient technology that uses coarse sand and other granular media to remove particles and impurities that have been trapped in flocculation (the separation of a solution, commonly the removal of sediment from a fluid).

Currently two HVGS filters are being constructed at the new Casino Aquatic Centre.

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The Isis War Memorial Swimming Pool.

Putting back into the Community James Croll investigates how the Isis War Memorial Pool was converted from an outdoor seasonal pool to an indoor facility offering year-round swimming

T

he Isis War Memorial Swimming Pool has long been an important part of day-to-day life for the Childers community in Queensland’s Bundaberg Region. Possibly the last 33.3 metre pool in the state, the pool was opened in 1966 by the then Isis Shire Council having been financed partially by public subscription, backed by a subsidy from the Queensland Department of Education. Since that time, it has been an integral part of the family community.

However, from the turn of the millennium it became apparent that the pool needed bringing into the 21st century. It had not just dated as a venue intrinsically but was certainly far from profitable. The pool itself had no roof cover and was open to the elements while the existing heating was far from efficient.

44 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Bundaberg Regional Council subsequently advertised a Request for Tender (RFT) for the construction of a solid shade structure and installation of an energy efficient heating system to cover and heat the existing pool. In essence, they wanted to convert what was essentially an outdoor seasonal pool to an indoor facility offering year-round swimming to its patrons.

They also wanted a minimum swimming temperature of 27280C and a solar heating system. There would be an issue however in that any new solar heating system would be limited to a proposed new roof structure of 700-800m² and had to minimise whole of life costs of the installation.

While the RFT had its challenges, it turned out to be tailormade for one of Australia’s leading pool heating specialists, Supreme Heating. Established in 1990, Supreme Heating is Australian owned and specialises in innovative, energy efficient pool heating across Australasia.

Anthony Denahy, Business Development Manager at Supreme Heating, explains “the Isis Memorial Pool RFT was a particularly exciting challenge for us.

“The limitations of the roof structure along with the need to heat a fairly large pool of 700,000L called for a particularly sophisticated solution.”

Assessing both the Council’s pool heating requirements and energy concerns, Supreme Heating proposed a two-in-one solution to meet the heating performance of the swimming pool together with responding to the facility’s energy needs, all while minimising rooftop surface requirements.

Denahy explains “we designed a solution consisting of a 33.60kW

Heatseeker DualSun PV/T solar system coupled with a 216m² Heatseeker Plus traditional strip solar system and two 120kW inverter heat pumps to meet the heating requirements of the pool.

“With a combined renewable thermal output of 285kW per hour, the system provides ample capacity to off-set the reliance of the heat pumps to maintain the Council’s 700,000L indoor

swimming pool to average temperatures of 280C throughout the swimming season.”

Supreme Heating’s Heatseeker DualSun solution has developed into one of the company’s flagship products. Twice winner of SPASA’s Product of the Year, the Heatseeker DualSun essentially unites in one single panel two technologies to utilise the sun’s energy: solar photovoltaics for electricity generation and solar thermal for heated water production.

Originally designed and manufactured in France, Heatseeker DualSun has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Australian market, particularly among councils. The hybrid multi-energy panel is designed for maximum flexibility and is compatible with numerous systems covering an array of building energy requirements. The water circulation through the panel cools the photovoltaic cells which increase their efficiency. This in turn maximises the sun’s energy.

In addition to providing a solution for the required temperatures, Supreme’s Heatseeker DualSun system provided the added capability to generate electricity at an average of 133kW per hour per day, thus significantly reducing the operational expenditure of the pool heating system including the heat pumps.

Denahy concludes “with average energy savings of $31,266 per annum, the Council can expect their Heatseeker DualSun system to pay for itself within just six years based on current energy prices.

“It’s highly innovative technology, not only aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependency but also offsetting the operational expenditure. This allows budgets to be placed back into community programs, extending the value of the facility, and reducing carbon emissions.”

James Croll manages client and partner relations for Australasian Leisure Management.

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46 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

ANOTHER LESSON IN SAFER, COMFORTABLE FLOORING.

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Aligning Strategies Leading industry consultant Martin Sheppard, Managing Director of the Smart Connection Consultancy and founder of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) considers the development of the NSC and his wider aspirations.

Sheppard explores his vision for the NSC to be seen as Australia and New Zealand’s leading vehicle for bringing the industry together to challenge the norms, to change the narratives and collectively lay the foundations for the future, with our industry collaborators. Longer term he would love to see the NSC owned and run by the community sport and recreation sector, themselves.

A

ustralia’s largest community sport and recreation convention, the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention and Expo will be returning in July, supported by over 40 peak bodies and collaborators, delivering information on the latest trends and thinking from the globe with showcasing good practice from around Australia.

Created in 2013 with a focus on synthetic sports surfaces where Sheppard is an internationally respected consultant - the NSC has grown pre-COVID to hosting 1,000 delegates and 500 at the Expo, with co-located conferences also aligned. NSC22 sees the bringing together of over 75 speakers, 70 exhibitors and an expected 600 industry delegates over two days in July, as the conference bounces back after the pandemic.

With Australia hosting numerous major sporting events in the next decade, which he sees as a “generational opportunity”, along with the post-COVID challenges of physical activity among the wider community, Sheppard looks at the NSC’s achievements and his aspirations for the event moving forward.

Martin Sheppard (centre) at the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NSC and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) with IAKS President Stefan Kannewischer and IAKS Secretary General Klaus Meinel.

48 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Australasian Leisure Management: Given there is confidence that live events and conferences will be able to proceed this year, what do you hope for the 2022 NSC to achieve?

Martin Sheppard: 2022 is the starting point for the next decade, during COVID so many alliances were established between peak bodies, sports, providers and academia. In my 25 years in Australia, I have never seen such camaraderie and desire to align the narratives, this is really exciting. This year’s NSC focuses are around how we can understand all the various approaches and collectives in a manner that can benefit the next decade. Kieren Perkins OAM (Chief Executive of the Australian Sports Commission), will share his vision for the next decade, followed by a global vision exploring other organisations visions for the next decade with Chief Executives and Chairs and leaders from Sport New Zealand, Sport Singapore, Sport England, International Play Association, The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities and the International Paralympic Association. These two sessions open the NSC as part of the NSC Oration, on the afternoon of Monday 11th July with delegates and industry VIPs. ALM: How has the event evolved over recent years and what do you see as its greatest achievements?

MS: The concept from 2016 was to challenge the narrative and approach that we were all embracing, as the saying goes “if you keep doing the same, you will get the same results”. With the growing number of peak bodies who now collaborate and partner with us, we feel that the NSC is really a true representation of the community sport and recreation sectors. They are themselves encouraging us to continue to challenge the ‘traditional approaches’ by showcasing different approaches. With some global announcements over the next few months, the NSC I think, has come of age and is now seen by the industry as the key knowledge sharing and networking event annually for community sport and recreation.

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ALM: You have previously been involved in other ventures to unify industry sectors such as the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA) and, as of the end of 2021, the Active Australia Alliance, what do you see as the potential of greater unity in what you have recently referred to as the ‘community leisure industry’?

MS: A collective approach is the way forward and this also means a common agenda - where this works is when egos and special interest agendas are left at the door. During COVID we saw more and more of this happening. We have one session at this year’s NSC where we have brought together eight of these alliances from the different sectors to prioritise what they believe the industry needs for the next decade. Interestingly, many of these collectives are influenced by women. Maybe that tells us something.

ALM: And what are the obstacles to this unity?

MS: Obstacles are only opportunities, in a different coat. What we need is a common agenda, that has the outcomes that these collectives or alliances want to help achieve. I would like to think that there is someone within the Federal Government, Office of Sport or the Department of Health (responsible for the Preventative Health Strategy or the Obesity Strategy) that could see this amazing opportunity and embrace us as an industry that actually has the solution ready for them.

ALM: Not long after the creation of ALFA in 2010, the then National President of Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA), Bruce Fordham, slammed your concerns over a lack of proactivity by the PLA and other bodies in representing the industry. Do you feel the industry has better unity and representation today?

MS: A lot has happened since 2010 for many organisations, and we can see the proactive and strategic organisations that have continued to put the industry first by joining these collectives and alliances, and now are planning to make a difference. For others that currently don’t have this opportunity, I hope we will collaborate in the future and be part of moving forward in a new world.

ALM: As part of your consultancy, the other area where you have specialised is in artificial sports surfaces, which in part led to the creation of the original National Synthetic Surfaces Conference and Expo in 2013, which has evolved into the NSC. With artificial surfaces being more in the news for community opposition, how do you see their future in Australia?

MS: The reason I embraced synthetic sports surface technology is the same today as it was a dozen years ago. The natural turf capacity cannot cope with the demand in certain areas, where 50 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

there aren’t enough natural turf fields. Councils have a number of choices: cap the number of children and adults playing sport, create more active parklands from either bushland settings or passive parks, or embrace technology to improve the carrying capacity of a limited number of fields.

The technology should include three elements. Firstly, technological advances to natural turf, including improved drainage, irrigation and nutrients to the growing medium; second the embracing of hybrid technology to reinforce natural turf options and third exploring how synthetic sports surfaces can be used to complement natural turf fields.

All governments should consider the options in this order and not automatically jump into the decision for synthetic turf as the only option. There are exceptions to this strategy, as some sports really don’t use natural grass to play their sport on, including hockey (hockey Turf), track and field athletics (rubber), community tennis (synthetic grass, synthetic clay or acrylic surfaces) and netball (acrylic hardcourts). Imagine what would happen to the health of children if surfaces aren’t available for sport and recreation.

We constantly have to balance environmental sustainability and community sustainability and health.

There was some community concern recently, mainly due to the environmentalists who are concerned about climate and environmental issues. These people represent a very small but vocal part of the community and their voice should be heard and embraced. Their concerns are genuine, even though the information they have is inaccurate, such as community natural turf sports fields being able to accommodate 60 hours of intense usage per week. More than 95% of their concerns can be designed and managed to reduce the risks that they perceive.

Synthetic fields for the football codes will only ever be less than 5% of the total Australian fields. What their voices do is encourage us to improve our designs and management practices, which is relatively easy to do. Some of the environmentalist group’s agendas I would suggest, are less about the environmental issues than the impacts on their perceived ability to walk their dogs, or use the parks when they want to, on the level of traffic due to usage. All are valid concerns which local government are tested with every day.

We need to be smarter and more inclusive in the way we plan, develop and manage our sports parks.

ALM: How do you see the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention evolving over the next five years?

MS: We are currently developing a strategy with key global and Australasian peak bodies and industry alliances. Over the next five years I see that the NSC will continue to be the annual focal point for the sectors to get together. We will endeavour to bring global industry leaders to Australia annually, and align them with key alliances, peak bodies and influencers so that the Australian and New Zealand industry is aware of global best practice which it can embrace and then ‘Australasianise’ it.

NSC will align with other global conferences and bring them to Melbourne and we will be making some announcements over the next few months about what that means. We have also been asked by a number of peak bodies if they can locate their national conference with the NSC, so their members can benefit from hearing some global perspectives, networking and still having their own branded conference.

We see that as a perfect vehicle for everyone. The industry is the winner there. These co-located conferences will likely start in 2024 when our first global conference will also be co-located.

It is exciting times for organisations who want to collaborate and have improved collective outcomes for the industry. NSC does, and we can’t wait to work with other like-minded people and organisations.

The 2022 National Sports & Physical Activity Convention is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11th to 13th July.

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A death that must never be repeated

A Coronial report into the death of an eightyear-old at the 2014 Royal Adelaide Show has recommended a national reform of the regulation of show rides. Nigel Benton reports A report into the death of an eight-year-old at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2014 by South Australia’s Deputy Coroner has called for national reform of carnival show ride regulations.

Released on 8th June 2022, the Coronial report into the death of Adelene Leong called for improved regulation of ‘high-energy’ rides among a number of findings.

The eight-year-old died after she was flung out of the Airmaxx 360 ride at a speed of at least 100km/h in front of her family and shocked onlookers.

Just 90 seconds into the ride she slipped out of restraints and was thrown into the air before landing on the ground headfirst in front of her mother and multiple witnesses.

52 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

She died from multiple injuries.

Deputy State Coroner Ian White said South Australia needed to be the leader in convincing other states and territories to improve the operation of high-energy rides.

He said the inquest revealed there were missed opportunities to change Adelene’s fate that day, advising “the evidence of these missed opportunities is likely to produce understandable reactions of frustrations and despair to the public.

“There needs to be a meaningful response to honour Adelene’s short life.”

“Her death must be a cause for fundamental change in the operation and governance of high energy rides in Australia.

“South Australia must be the leader in convincing all jurisdictions to agree and implement the necessary actions that will ensure that the wishes of Adelene’s mother are honoured so that ‘such an event will not happen again.’”

The inquest heard the ride was purchased from Spain by amusement industry operators Jenny-Lee Sullivan and her husband Clinton Watkins, of CJ and Sons Pty Ltd and imported into Australia in April 2013. However, on arrival to Australia, engineers undertook the wrong type of inspection.

Before it was given the approval to operate, it had to get design registration and plant registration which ensures rides that operate in Australia do not have any design flaws.

However, the inquest heard it never went through the process of design registration and the registration number assigned to it belonged to a different ride.

Sullivan and Watkins, borrowed more than a $1 million from Federal Government agency Indigenous Business Australia for the purchase, with Deputy Coroner White concluding that the application for funding was “flawed and unrealistic”.

In their business plan, the couple asked for $1,025,250 to be repaid over 10 years in order to buy a showride called Smashing Jump.

On 1st May 2012 the loan application was accepted with the pair using their house and business as collateral.

However, instead of buying the Smashing Jump, they instead used the money to buy a similar ride, the Airmaxx 360.

In addition, from the start the loan was putting financial stress on the pair.

It was 10 months from the time they were given the money to when the ride arrived in the country – a period during which they still had to make repayments on the loan.

With a business plan that required the

ride to be operational for 13 hours a day when at a show, generating $26,208 a day in income, Sullivan and Watkins breached the terms of their loan multiple times.

Deputy Coroner White’s findings noted that the couple were under “acute financial stress as soon as they began operating the Airmaxx”, adding “the projected revenue from the business plan was substantially inaccurate.”

As a result, it was suggested at the inquest that the couple put making money above safety.

In operation, they imposed a minimum height requirement of 120cm for unaccompanied riders despite the Spanish manufacturer recommending 140cm.

Leong was 137cm tall at the time of her death.

Deputy Coroner White found the eight-year-old’s death could have been prevented had the operators not ignored the manufacturer’s height requirement, noting “I am satisfied that the owners deliberately concealed this information from all the relevant authorities for the purpose of expanding the eligibility of patrons to ride on the Airmaxx.”

The inquest heard the Airmaxx was operating at maximum force with Leong hanging from her seat upside down by her left ankle just prior to being ejected.

Watkins had largely assembled the ride

himself, seeking clarification on certain aspects in emails to the manufacturer.

The findings stated “that an inspection of the ride conducted at the Show was inadequate and staff were not properly trained.”

The inquest also heard that prior to coming to the Royal Adelaide Show eight years ago, the Airmaxx 360 had been “plagued by complaints”.

In three days at the 2014 Royal Melbourne Show, 22 reports were made regarding minor injuries and WorkSafe Victoria lifted the minimum height restriction to 130 centimetres.

Two weeks after the tragedy, Sullivan applied for the Airmaxx to operate at the Royal Sydney Show, still outlining a minimum height of 120cm.

In an application that was later withdrawn, she referred to an incident at the Adelaide show but claimed “there has been no fault on the ride or operators’ behalf”.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in 2016 opted not to pursue criminal charges regarding the death.

CJ and Sons Pty Ltd were convicted in 2017 of breaching workplace health and safety laws but were found to be unable to pay any financial penalties.

Deputy Coroner White noted in his findings “Adelene’s death that day was inexcusable. It could and should have been prevented.

“The circumstances of her death must never be allowed to be repeated.”

Deputy Coroner White called for a nationwide regulatory process to be established to verify and record design registration for rides and a common application procedure for plant registration.

He also called for a national database for ride registration numbers to be set

up that could be accessed by regulators in all states and territories and for a nationwide panel to annually assess the skills of amusement ride inspectors.

Mandatory participation in a continuing education scheme for them has also been included in the Coroner’s list of recommendations.

Deputy Coroner White also called for the Royal Agricultural Society of South Australia to work with other show organisers interstate to set up a database for sharing information about rides.

He called for Standards Australia to conduct a comprehensive review of its standards in relation to amusement devices and rides, adding “this review should clarify in detail what is required at an inspection of an amusement device or ride by a competent person in every jurisdiction.

“It urges all governments in the Australian jurisdiction that the Australian Standards have the same legal status in all jurisdictions as a rule of law rather than merely a code of practice.”

The inquest heard the ride’s operators tried to start operating the Airmaxx again in January 2015, but then abandoned their plans.

The ride was then sold to an operator in the United Kingdom in 2016 for approximately $180,000.

Deputy Coroner White went on to say “I heard brief evidence that in 2019, a woman fractured her skull at the Hull Show when she was ejected from the Airmaxx on to a patron from another ride.”

Watkins’ family had been involved in carnivals and travelling shows for generations while Sullivan had been working in the industry since 1991.

Nigel Benton is Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management.

Federal Government unwilling to back AALARA’s call for an industry Discretionary Mutual Fund The Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) has reported that its request to the Federal Government to financially support the creation of an industry-owned Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) for the attractions industry has been unsuccessful.

In a communication to members before the recent Federal election, the Association advised “the Federal Government has handed down their final decision that they are not willing to provide funding to support our industry DMF. “This decision was met with absolute disbelief from AALARA and well placed key stakeholders in Canberra that have been working alongside us on this journey.”

With a range of industry operators including travelling shows, carnival ride and inflatable play operators, theme parks, waterparks, trampoline arenas, amusement attractions and adventure tourism operators having faced increasing difficulty in securing public liability insurance in

recent years, AALARA, backed by its members, has been advocating a DMF as a solution.

Its approach was endorsed by a comprehensive review undertaken by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Bruce Billson in which he supported the establishment of an industry-owned DMF as the most durable and secure pathway forward for the industry.

As AALARA explains the ASBFEO’s The Show Must Go On report made it “clear that the DMF is the best long term solution for the survival of travelling shows, attractions, leisure and tourism operators.”

While disappointed by the Federal Government’s response, the Association advises that it “will be pushing forward to gain support from all corners of politics, media and key stakeholders”, asking members to raise awareness of this issue and to lobby local MPs and other governmental contacts.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 53

Images courtesy of CLM.

Putting leisure in people’s lives, and life in people’s leisure James Croll discovers how New Zealand’s CLM has built a business that has achieved far reaching results in furthering community engagement while also developing some inspirational leaders

I

n 1995, Joe Griffin and John La mer, two veterans of New Zealand’s leisure industry found themselves discussing opportuni es in the sector and how the industry could be be ered and bring communi es together across the country.

Prior to the mid 1990s, La mer had enjoyed a wide range of experience in community recrea on gained from working inside local government and in the private sector. He had also contributed to the governance of numerous na onal and community organisa ons.

Griffin had a broad range of experience in community recrea on from working ini ally in hotel management and the restaurant business, before managing and overseeing a number of recrea on and aqua c centres. He had also been

Whangārei Aqua c Centre

54 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

responsible for community facili es in Upper Hu and then Auckland City Council.

The result was the forma on of Community Leisure Management (CLM) which, more than 25 years on is the country’s leading contractor in community facility and programme management, opera ng recrea on centres, swimming pools and fitness centres throughout New Zealand.

While CLM is widely known for its facility management exper se, at venues including Whangārei Aqua c Centre, Richmond Aqua c Centre and Auckland’s Lido Aqua c Centre, it also aims to enrich the lives of the communi es in which it works delivering services and programmes that truly make a difference.

Auckland’s Lido Aqua c Centre

One aspect of the business is its CLM Community Sport division, a significant delivery partner for The Auckland Approach to Community Sport ini a ve in Coun es Manukau (alongside Harbour Sport, Sport Waitākere and Sport Auckland) across the wider Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland area.

Together they focus on promo ng be er lives and futures for individuals and communi es using sport and recrea on as a vehicle by having a solu on-focused, innova ve, and empathe c approach which is responsive to the region.

Another impressive aspect of the CLM por olio of services is Ac ve Youth. Working with Ak ve - - Auckland Sport & Recrea on, Auckland Council, and CLM Community Sport the division has delivered a free 12-week Wellness Programme designed for rangatahi (youth) across the Auckland area.

The aim of the programme is to encourage youth (aged between 14 -18) to increase their ac vity levels, and to educate them about the importance of physical ac vity and a healthy lifestyle. Seven facili es across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland have adopted the programme which is designed to achieve a number of outcomes such as increased fitness levels and increased hours of physical ac vity.

However, CLM’s Aroora kaupapa which has really been making headlines over the past few months. Created by Sco Linklater of Ngāpuhi and Te Roroa descent, a former Māori All Black and Facility Manager for CLM, this kaupapa (principal) and the programmes that fall under its umbrella draw on Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) to focus on suppor ng Māori both inside and outside of the organisa on.

There are currently three programmes which sit within the Aroora kaupapa, one geared towards developing Māori Leadership within CLM, the second suppor ng rangatahi to gain employment in the sport and recrea on industry, and a third to support the hauora (the Māori view of health) and resilience of rangatahi.

Each programme runs for the dura on of the year and builds on the Aroora framework whilst anchoring itself around a local whakatauki (Māori wisdom), or proverbial saying.

The first programme ‘Kāhu kōrako’, supported by Te Puni Kōkiri (New Zealand Ministry of Māori Development), is designed to strengthen Māori leadership and cultural competency across the CLM network. It is inspired by the whakatauki (a message embody knowledge and values) ‘Me haere i raro i te kāhu korako, kia kai ai koe i te kai, kia whiwhi i te taonga’, using the metaphor of a white hawk to inspire and encourage Māori to assume leadership roles within the organisa on.

It is a year-long programme run over a series of wānanga across Aotearoa New Zealand.

The second programme ‘Tenei toku whare,’ also supported

by Te Puni Kōkiri, is designed to strengthen cultural iden ty and hauora of rangatahi through the explora on of kanga (behaviours) and pūrākau (Māori legends) within the cultural landscape of Te Tai Tokerau Northland. The name of the programme is inspired by the Ngāpuhi whakatauki ‘Te whare tapu o Ngāpuhi’, which describes the rohe (tribal area) of Ngāpuhi as a sacred house. The programme is delivered in a series of wānanga that explore this house and the Aroora (management prac se) framework.

Finally, the ‘He tāhuna tau atu’ programme supported

by Founda on North, is a leadership and skill acquisi on programme with the inten on of helping rangatahi becoming more employable in the sport and recrea on industry. The name of the programme is inspired by another well known

local whakatauki whose last line read ‘He kūaka mārangaranga, kotahi te manu i tau ki te tāhuna, tau atu, tau atu, tau atu’.

In this saying the Kūaka or godwit is likened to a leader and where one will land others will follow.

The Aroora team, lead by Linklater and supported by Jamille Ruka, Harley Iraia and Jordana Naera, are all passionate about working within their communi es and really live by CLM’s mission statement ‘Ka āwhina mai, ka āwhina atu, ngā mahi a te rēhia’ (‘pu ng leisure in people’s lives, and life in people’s leisure’).

James Croll is Partnerships Manager at Australasian Leisure Management.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 55

Bringing Back the Big Events The world’s largest, most-watched mountain biking event is coming to Cairns this year, bringing with it 1200 athletes, volunteers, media, sponsorships and nearly 35,000 spectators. Gwen Luscombe explores how and why Crankworx chose the tropical city for its fourth stop on the 2022 world tour mithfield Mountain Bike Park with its high-profile rainforest trails through the world’s oldest rainforest will see biking S athletes compete over five days from 5th to 9th October. Cairns has been locked in to host Crankworx through to 2024.

The annual competition takes place across a variety of locations globally with Whistler, Canada being the most famous.

The multi-day super event centres around the slopestyle and downhill disciplines, drawing the biggest names in the sport with huge sponsors and prizes.

Crankworx will be produced by local events company GTR Events, already well-known for their work at the Cairns 2017 UCI World Championships.

In a statement, GTR Events’ Matt Hilton said that following the UCI World Championships, the organisation was keen to bring another World Championship to Australia.

Crankworx Whistler happened to be on while GTR Chairman Daryl Herbert was on a Canadian holiday. He met with Crankworx World Tour Managing Director Darren Kinnaird to discuss the possibilities of putting Australia on the radar.

Organisers weighed up locations, with Victoria’s Warburton - which offers world-class biking trails - also in the running.

Ultimately, a combination of the environment effects statements process and a funding opportunity from Tourism Tropical North Queensland, presented Cairns as a frontrunner.

56 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Advising that the team had been working with Cairns stakeholders since 2018 to bring the event to Australia, Kinnaird says “the collaboration among stakeholders including Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, AusCycling, Yirrigandji Traditional Owners, James Cook University and Cairns Mountain Bike Club has been crucial to bringing Crankworx to Cairns.”

Crankworx will not only be an elite level event but will also include a festival, trade show and opportunities to engage young riders.

Hilton explains “what I like most about a Crankworx event, is its accessibility to all ages and abilities. Kidsworx is such a cracking concept, and CW Next (under 18 category for kids) is such an amazing category to really push up-and-coming athletes through the ranks, and be seen on the world scale.

There are not too many events that provide that.”

Why Cairns?

As Kinnaird explains “Crankworx Cairns will give our athletes an additional fourth competitive stop and will bring the ultimate mountain biking experience to our fans in Australia while showcasing the Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef to mountain biking fans around the world.

Member for Cairns and Queensland Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy echoed the statement, saying that

Crankworx Cairns would bring even more global exposure to Tropical North Queensland, commenting “the 2022 Crankworx World Tour coincides with our comprehensive overseas campaign to bring international visitors back to the Tropical North after Covid.

“We’re at the start of a golden decade of opportunity ahead of Queensland’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Going on to say that events such as Crankworx demonstrate the region’s ability to host world-class events and showcase Cairns as a destination to an international audience, Hilton stated “where else can you watch the biggest names in the sport throw down, surrounded by the best backdrop in the world - the historic rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef?

“It’s a chance not only to showcase the trails that have brought the world’s best athletes from all over the world to Cairns, but also the destination, the culture and heritage and our good old fashioned Aussie hospitality.”

Cairns Regional Councillor Rhonda Coghlan said the inclusion of Cairns on the Crankworx World Tour was another string in the bow for the city’s growing reputation as a premier sports destination, noting “to be part of arguably the world’s biggest mountain bike tour underlines the region’s reputation for putting on world-class sporting events.

“Cairns has a long association with mountain biking, with the iconic Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, set in a spectacular rainforest environment, having hosted four international events dating back to 1996.

“The prospect of watching some of the world’s best mountain bike exponents in action later this year is quite exciting and there is no doubt that with the calibre of athlete on show, this event will attract thousands of people to our city and contribute significantly to our economy.”

Regenerating Tourism Dollars It’s no secret that the tourism and events industry was among the hardest hit by the pandemic and events like Crankworx bring not only global publicity to the region, but much needed tourism dollars. A successful start to regenerating the industry.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government under Austrade’s Recovery for Regional Tourism program, an initiative of the $1billion Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Mark Olsen said one-quarter of the footage to be televised across the world will be devoted to showcasing Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to encourage visitation resulting in millions of dollars in publicity.

He states “in addition to an anticipated 31,000 bed nights for our region, Crankworx will deliver a worldwide audience with the global eyeballs on Cairns further driven by a partnership with Red Bull Media House to broadcast five live finals globally

and a post-event 60-minute telecast to 17.8 million viewers.”

AusCycling Chief Executive Marne Fechner also welcomed the Crankworx World Tour coming to Cairns for the next two years advising that “(this) announcement is the culmination of a huge amount of work that began years ago when Cairns was identified as the perfect backdrop for an international event of this magnitude.

“We now look forward to working with the many teams that will bring this great spectacle to life and to ensuring that there is a tangible legacy for mountain bikers in years to come.’’

The Venue, The Legacies A purpose-built venue for events such as Crankworx, Smithfield Mountain Bike Park is the oldest mountain bike park in the country with an iconic rainforest trail network that’s no stranger to hosting elite downhill racing. Offering more than 60 kilometres of green, blue and black-rated (or easy, moderate and advanced respectively) trails that wind through the rainforest, jagged ranges and overlooking the Great Barrier Reef, its proximity to the Cairns airport, (just 20 minutes away) makes it equally accessible.

The park played host to the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in 1995, and again in 2014 and 2016. It also hosted the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in both 1996 and 2017.

Year-round, several bike-hire businesses are located close to the park and commercial shuttle services support its most famous downhill runs, including the World Cup and Nationals DH trails.

While the trails will no doubt be different from the European grass fields that have hosted the event in past, the event will bring with it legacy infrastructure for riders to enjoy following the event.

Hilton concludes “part of bringing Crankworx to Australia is creating a legacy, and providing more opportunities to ride these courses more often.

“Part of our strategy is to leave behind a world-class pump track and dual slalom course that the local mountain bike club or national sporting body can utilise year-round for events.

The layer of infrastructure that an event like Crankworx leaves behind is so valuable.”

Gwen Luscombe is Director of the Ideas Library and a frequent contributor to Australasian Leisure Management on tourism, business events, technology and hospitality.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 57

Time to rebrand tourism as a long-term career Cas Carter highlights what needs to be done to make employment in the tourism industry more attractive

F

ancy a job in the tourism industry? It’s a helluva place to be: underpaid, poor working conditions, seasonality and shonky career opportunities.

Well, that’s what many have been saying about the tourism industry for years, but it’s a reputation that needs to be fixed urgently.

Pre-pandemic, tourism accounted for a tenth of global GDP and jobs, but COVID halved the industry’s value, and in New Zealand 90,000 tourism jobs were lost - one out of four.

But now with the industry, including aviation, reporting unprecedented demand from travellers, it needs to attract a whole new workforce.

In New Zealand, the supposed jewel in the crown of tourism, Queenstown has about 600 vacancies in a town with a population under 16,000.

There is an urgency in the winter destination staffing up for the ski season, with Australians amping to cross the Tasman and get on to our snow.

Previously the industry has relied on immigrants to fill jobs, but the slowness of visa processing has them under stress.

It’s time to rebrand tourism as a desirable industry with longterm career prospects that kiwis want to work in.

I recall pre-pandemic attending the New Zealand Tourism Awards. The room was buzzing with an industry on a high.

I saw people that had made a career out of tourism - those I’d first met in the 1990s who had moved into management positions or successfully invested in their own businesses.

Despite its reputation as a job until you get a real one, many

58 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

stay in tourism for life and there is a good reason for that.

In my experience working in the industry, it was incredibly positive, a natural fit for New Zealanders who enjoy people, showing off their gorgeous country and the outdoors. Pre-Covid the industry I knew was largely full of people feeling lucky to love going to work every day.

And yet tourism still has a reputation that it does not offer a career.

The need to make the tourism industry more compelling as a career has been the subject of projects, groups, papers, associations and mentoring programmes including the Young Tourism Export Council programme. Last year, a New Zealand Government initiative - Go With Tourism Workforce Wananga came up with ways to improve and build the workforce.

But the industry must do more than navel gazing - it needs to find some ambassadors to advocate, while also needing to make some adjustments.

First, beloved industry, you pay rubbish money for new entrants and in this hot labour market there are too many other better paid options.

Your current shortage of staff could be addressed by promoting progressive career options with ongoing training and career development to potential staff.

Fortunately for you, not everyone is motivated by money.

Deloitte research shows that Gen Zers bring quite different values to the workplace. This includes catering for diversity and inclusion equity, not just for race and gender, but also to identity and orientation.

People In Brief Body Fit Training (BFT) has announced the appointment of David Aitchison as Chief Executive of its operations for the Asia-Pacific region. (BFT is profiled on page 26).

PMY Group has announced leading investment funds management executive, Costa Alexiou, as Chief Executive of its investment company, PMY Capital, along with the appointment of Emily McGrath as its new Executive General Manager - Asia Pacific, based in Melbourne.

Gregg Anderson is the new Manager at Matakana Coast Tourism, Auckland, New Zealand.

Surf Lakes has announced former world para surfing champion and bestselling author Sam Bloom as the newest member of its ambassador team.

The Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA has announced the appointment of former Screenwest executive Ian Booth as its new Chief Executive and Kate Champion as its new Artistic Director.

Further expanding its SportsEye data and technology solution, ActiveXchange has announced the appointment of Tom Bourne as Chief Technology Officer.

YMCA Brisbane Chief Executive Alan Bray has announced he will step down by September 2022 after 15 years in the role.

Gen Zers are longing for a personalised career, not just a cookie-cutter approach for the new batch of employees. There is no reason why that can’t be offered.

Yes, tourism is based on seasonality so you can’t accommodate long-term careers. This is a worldwide issue so surely there is an opportunity to partner with businesses peaking while you’re in the slow season. Research suggests this would be welcomed at least by Gen Zers who prefer to have a job with broad experiences and don’t want to be specialists.

Training is another big pull factor. The hospitality part of the tourism industry has a great reputation for throwing untrained staff in at the deep end.

Potential employees will be attracted to learning new skills as you face one of the biggest industry challenges - increased digitisation.

The poor reputation of tourism as a career starts early. I find it bizarre that tourism is considered a non-academic school subject. It is one of the largest export businesses in the country and requires smart people just like any other industry.

Most of all though, being comfortable and having fun will go a long way to attracting staff. Culture and a good working environment are key reasons people stay in organisations.

As borders open, many people young and old will be desperate to travel. That means a whole global talent pool is likely to open up. New Zealand tourism is a fantastic industry to work in - it’s time to make it more appealing to those who don’t know it yet.

Cas Carter is a Wellington-based columnist, writer and communications executive.

With thanks to Newsroom Pro.

Global surf park developer Aventuur has announced that advocate Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan has joined the company as its Director of Surf and Sustainability.

Screen Queensland appoints Dr Belinda Burns as new Chief Creative Officer.

Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA) have announced the appointment of Kevin Cook as its new General Manager.

Sir Graeme Dingle, seen as the father of outdoor pursuits in New Zealand, has joined the Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) as patron of the organisation.

After 14 years at Football Victoria, Anthony Grima has joined the AllStars Academy as Chief Operating Officer.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has appointed Brett Fraser as its new Chief Executive, replacing the outgoing Daniel Gschwind.

Former Recreation Industry Training Council Chief Executive Tony Guihot has been promoted to the role of Director Business and Cyber Assurance at Australian Department of Defence.

Aaron Hamilton has taken up the position of Chief Executive at Auckland’s The Trusts Arena.

ASM Global has announced the appointment of Dan Harris as Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena new Commercial Director.

Triathlon Australia has announced the appointment of experienced sports leader, Tim Harradine, to the position of Chief Executive to deliver the sport’s vision and strategy.

Gerard Healy has taken up the role of Projects Manager at Belgravia Health and Fitness.

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Rainbow Club has appointed Nikki Horton in the newly-created role of National Manager, Club Network Development.

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The A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers has promoted Scott Hudson from the role of Head of Commercial to General Manager.

To subscribe go to subscribe.ausleisure.com.au

Jon Jamsek has started a new position as Chief Operations Manager at Blacktown City Council.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 59

People In Brief (cont) The Women in Fitness Association (WIFA) has announced the appointment of Gold Coast-based Meghan Jarvis as its latest Global Ambassador.

Data technology company ActiveXchange has appointed Ricki Jones as their new Head of Commercial Partnerships for Australia and New Zealand.

Triathlon New Zealand have recently appointed Peter Kadar as their new Performance Operations Manager following on from their appointment in March of Pete de Wet as new Chief Executive.

The former Chief Executive of Ngai Tahu Property, David Kennedy, has been appointed Chief Executive of Te Kaha Project Delivery Limited - the company overseeing the delivery of Te Kaha - Canterbury Multi-Use Arena.

The Wairau Maori Art Gallery in Whangarei has appointed Larissa McMillan as its inaugural Director.

The NFL announced that Charlotte Offord has been named as General Manager for Australia, the league’s first full-time employee in Australia.

Matthew Olson has been appointed General Manager at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.

LAI Games has promoted Shannon Perell to Chief Product Officer from his previously held position of Vice President of Product Development for the company.

Community Leisure Management (CLM) has appointed Darren Pott as the Facility Manager of Whangarei Aquatic Centre in the Northland region.

The Adelaide Convention Centre has named Martin Radcliffe as its new General Manager, replacing the outgoing Simon Burgess, who is moving to the National Wine Centre of Australia.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has named Peter van der Schans as its Executive Director and Vice President for the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa).

Laura Shack has taken on the role of Senior Manager, Media and Communications for Royal Life Saving Society WA Inc. Les Mills New Zealand has appointed Brett Sutton as its new Chief Executive.

Aiming to create better opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be involved with the sport at all levels, Basketball Australia has announced that it has engaged Paul Vandenbergh as its Indigenous Lead.

The South Australian Motorsport Board responsible for reviving the Adelaide 500 Supercars race has named its new Chief Executive, experienced motorsport administrator Mark Warren.

Jeroen Weimar, who has been appointed 2026 Commonwealth organisation charged delivery of the event.

led the state’s COVID-19 Response, as Chief Executive of the Victoria Games Organising Committee - the with overseeing the build-up to and

Jenelle Williamson has joined AFL Victoria as Country Football Manager.

Send your people news to leisure@ausleisure.com.au 60 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

MCEC’s Peter King to depart Chief Executive role Peter King, Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), has announced that he will leave his role after 11 successful years.

During his time at MCEC, King was focused on maximising the venue’s impact for Melbourne and Victoria, and in 2019 MCEC had a record economic impact to the state, exceeding $1.1 billion.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, King embraced the challenges this presented by managing the transformation and diversification of the business.

This included supporting the Victorian Government’s vaccination rollout and adapting the space to attract partners such as The LUME Melbourne, Australia’s first permanent digital art gallery.

King also oversaw a comprehensive business transformation to an agile operating model, to better position MCEC to serve customers in the wake of the pandemic.

King will remain with MCEC as it manages this business transition and is committed to ensuring its success as it emerges from the acute stage of the pandemic. This time will allow for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) to recruit his replacement.

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan to step down at end of season AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has announced that he is to stand down from his role at the end of the current Premiership season, saying that it is the “right time” to move on with the sport in robust health.

The South Australian, who has been in the AFL’s top job for eight full seasons, intended to step away before COVID-19 hit, but vowed to stay on and help guide the code through the pandemic.

During the remainder of the season, McLachlan will try to resolve four major issues: a new broadcast deal, collective bargaining agreements for both the men’s and women’s competitions, a new club funding model and plans for a Tasmanian team.

Chair and new Independent Non-Executive Director appointed to lead Viva Leisure ASX-listed Viva Leisure Limited has announced the appointment of two Board roles encompassing a new Chair and a new independent Non-Executive Director.

Rhys Holleran, an independent Non-Executive Director of the company since September 2020, has been appointed the new Chair of Viva Leisure.

Holleran’s appointment as Chair fills the vacant position following the sad passing of previous Chair, Bruce Glanville announced on 7th April 2022.

Andrew Burns, Chair of the company’s Audit and Risk Committee, has been appointed an independent NonExecutive Director.

The group has also announced the appointment of industry veteran Kevin Mott as National Franchise Operations Manager and Kate Allott as National Operations Manager for its Rebalance brand.

People

Gymnastics Australia appoints new Chief Executive

ASM Global announces executive management changes at BCEC

Alexandra Ash has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Gymnastics Australia.

Ash joins Gymnastics Australia from her role as Executive General Manager at Y Victoria where she has led the Recreation portfolio, operating 83 facilities throughout Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia including the leadership and operation of South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre, South Australia’s premier state facility.

Not new to gymnastics, Ash has served as Deputy Chair of Gymnastics Victoria and as a Non-Executive Director since May 2019.

ASM Global APAC has announced its activation of long-held succession plans for Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC), the company’s flagship venue and one of Australia’s best performing convention Bob O’Keeffe and Kym Guesdon centres.

ASM Global (APAC) Chairman and Chief Executive, Harvey Lister AM said the executive restructure was integral to future proofing the venue for continued growth as it heads into a period of unprecedented infrastructure development ahead of Brisbane’s Olympic era.

Lister announced that BCEC’s current General Manager Bob O’Keeffe AM, will combine his new position as Chief Executive of BCEC with that of Chief Operating Officer - Venue Operations for ASM Global (APAC), a newly created role to meet the growing footprint of ASM Global APAC. Kym Guesdon who currently carries out the dual role of ASM Global Group Director, Human Resources (HR) for the region as well as the BCEC HR Director role, has been appointed as BCEC General Manager - becoming only the second person to hold that position in the Centre’s 26-year history.

The company has also announced that Rod Pilbeam (left), one of the founders of the business, will step back from his role as Chief Operating Officer to a parttime role as from July this year.

Pilbeam and Harvey Lister first went into business together in the mid1970s presenting concert tours around Queensland and NSW, taking on their first formal venue operation at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Brisbane in 1982.

Rugby Australia appointments Revealing what it describes as “three key appointments to its executive team” Rugby Australia has announced that Peter Conde has taken on the role as its new Chief Performance Officer - joining the body after a five-year term as Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Sport that culminated with the outstanding performance of the Australian team at the Tokyo Olympics.

The other two appointments are Marissa Pace, who joins Rugby Australia as its new Chief Marketing Officer, and James Durbin, who becomes the sport’s new Chief Commercial Officer.

Gymnastics Clubs Australia announces inaugural inductees into industry Hall of Fame Gymnastics Clubs Australia has revealed the induction of the first recipients into the new Gymnastics Industry’s Hall of Fame.

Presented during Gymnastics Clubs Australia’s first National Congress each of the inductees have a long history of remarkable contributions to the industry and its respective sectors.

Pioneer: John Dorrington. Revolutionised the focus on professionalising management and operations with Pit Gymnastics becoming a private club - while maintaining competitive excellence.

Outstanding Contributor: Gai Forrest. As the founder of KindyGym Australia she has placed an emphasis on early childhood gymnastics while helping spread high quality programming around the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Outstanding Contributor: Nadine Weight. A trail blazer in developing club governance procedures, club growth planning and on-going coach PD; and sharing this and more in helping other clubs in the ACT get established.

VenuesWest appoints their first female Chair and welcomes new board member The VenuesWest board, which oversees Western Australia’s premier sport and entertainment venues, has appointed Mary Anne Stephens as their first female Chair and welcomed new board member, Gary Dreibergs.

Stephens has served on the board since 2015, bringing over 25 years’ experience in finance and operational roles both in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, and key strengths in finance, risk and governance.

Adelaide 36ers make two senior appointments The Adelaide 36ers NBL club has announced appointments to its commercial team with Helen Hobbins named as its General Manager Gameday and Growth.

With 20 years experience in the events industry, Hobbins’ last role was General Manager Corporate, Events and Gameday Experiences at Port Adelaide AFL Club.

Dale Fletcher has joined the 36ers as General Manager Digital, Media and Communications after a long media career, most recently as Deputy Sports Editor of Adelaide’s News Corporation-owned, The Advertiser.

VMA announces its Board Members The Venue Management Association has announced the results of the 2022 Board Election having called for nominations to fill five vacant Active Board positions.

The VMA is pleased to welcome back four returning Directors - Heather Clarke AVM, Brendan Hines, Phil King AVM, and Paul Sergeant OBE. In addition, the VMA proudly introduces its newest Board Member, Brett Caldwell AVM, who commenced his three year term as of 16th May. Caldwell is currently the Head of IT Infrastructure at the Arts Centre Melbourne. For the last two and half years, he has been combining his experience in corporate IT and event technology in a values-based environment. He has a wealth of ticketing technology experience and has worked with venues, sports, and music festivals of all sizes across Australia.

Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 61

Products

ROLLER announces acquisition of point-of-sale experts Active8 Software

Aiming to help attractions and venues enhance experience, ROLLER has announced its acquisition of Texas, USA-based Active8 Software.

ROLLER’s acquisition of Active8 bolsters their global presence and underscores their commitment to helping its customers grow by enabling venues to more efficiently run their operations, increase attendance and spend per head, and deliver memorable guest experiences.

Explaining that the combined company, operating under the ROLLER name, provides all the tools venues in the attractions and entertainment industry need to deliver unparalleled guest experiences worldwide, ROLLER Chief Executive, Luke Finn advised “we are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming … the Active8 team into the ROLLER family. They share the same passion for enhancing the guest experience and helping customers to grow their businesses with technology.”

Launched in 2016, Active8 Software is a purpose-built pointof-sale software solution designed to accommodate the unique processes of trampoline parks, climbing gyms, ninja warrior gyms and family entertainment venues.

Contact 03 8103 5026, E: sales@rollerdigital.com, www.roller.software

Endless Surf concepts in Munich (above right) and on the Gold Coast (above left).

Myrtha technology in cross section (below)

Endless Surf partnership with Myrtha Pools looks to solve wave pool construction and maintenance pain points Aiming to alleviate many of the common challenges that surf park developers face when constructing and operating their surf lagoon, a new pool building partnership between Endless Surf and Myrtha Pools has been announced.

The partnership will see state-of-the-art Myrtha Pools stainless steel pool technology available exclusively for Endless Surf projects.

Myrtha’s entry into the surf pool space is a natural progression, according to Endless Surf President, Paul Chutter who explains “as many of our Endless Surf projects are starting to enter construction phases, we are thrilled about our new partnership with Myrtha Pools and all the benefits it brings to our clients and their developments.”

Chutter cites issues with surf lagoon construction becoming more common, with many problems arising well into the operating phase, causing lengthy downtime and pool closures.

Contact Yvette Audet, Myrtha Business Development Manager for Australia and New Zealand on 0410 411 975, E: yvette.audet@myrthapools.com Visit the Endless Surf website at www.endlesssurf.com 62 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Replas recycled park seating installed in Bendigo play space The City of Greater Bendigo has installed new park seating at the Garden Drive Play Space in Epsom made from recycled soft plastics collected through REDcycle and processed at Replas Ballarat.

An example of Replas’ recycled park seating The REDcycle Program is a recovery initiative for post-consumer soft plastic. The program has teamed up with Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and some of Australia’s popular brands to make it easy to keep plastic bags and soft plastic packaging out of landfill.

The program allows soft plastics to be collected and taken to a local Coles or Woolworths supermarket REDcycle collection point for disposal.

Soft plastics collected through REDcycle are processed at Replas Ballarat into products such as bollards, decking, fencing, fitness trails and furniture as well as products suitable for traffic control, parks, gardens and the utilities industry.

Contact 1800 737 527, E: sales@replas.com.au, www.replas.com.au

Ungerboeck debuts industry-first application for mitigating risk to events and venues Following its acquisition of products developed by risk management agency Reliance Risk, leading global event software company, Ungerboeck will be debuting an industry-first application for mitigating risk to events Ungerboeck Executive Vice President, and venues.

Mackenzie (left) with Reliance Risk founder, The acquisition of both Steve Wayne Middleton.

Reliance Risk products, RiskSense101 and VRM360, gives Ungerboeck the power to offer a valuable new solution: Risk Manager by Ungerboeck. The new application is specifically designed to give venue and event organisers a better understanding of threats and help them be proactive instead of reactive in the face of potential issues.

Wayne Middleton, founder of Risk Sense Technologies and co-developer of the new application advises “the unique nature of events dictates the need for a customised, simple, but powerful technology solution to help mitigate and monitor risk.

We have built this into Risk Manager by Ungerboeck and are grateful for the shared vision, passion, and global reach that Ungerboeck brings to help our industry manage risk.”

Steve Mackenzie, Executive Vice President of Ungerboeck, said the new application fills a void in the market and adds “over the past few years, several events have become major headlines for all the wrong reasons. Think of the Manchester Arena bombing, the shooting in Las Vegas, or the Astroworld crowd incident. By offering this tool, we are ensuring venue and event operators are equipped to identify potential risks and produce the necessary tasks and reports to back up the process.”

Before joining the Ungerboeck family, Middleton’s risk management software was already used in venues across the Asia Pacific Region. Now thanks to Ungerboeck’s global reach, thousands of additional organisations will benefit.

Contact Ungerboeck on 07 3359 7919, E: asiapacific@ungerboeck.com, www.ungerboeck.com Contact Reliance Risk on 02 8377 1818, E: enquiries@reliancerisk.com.au, www.reliancerisk.com.au

Udio Systems integrates with workflow automation tool Zapier Looking to help businesses further increase their efficiencies, Australia-based management software provider, Udio Systems has announced a new partnership with Zapier, an online platform that enables users to connect to thirdparty apps, such as content management systems and accounting software.

In its current stage of development, Zapier can communicate information from Udio to other systems as a result of general billing account updates. In stage two, due to release later in the year, Zapier will be able to push information triggered by every event in Udio (such as when a customer books a make up session).

The third stage of implementation will enable Zapier to transfer information from other systems into Udio.

Contact 0404 414 646, E: hello@udiosystems.com, www.udiosystems.com

Products

Technogym introduces new Biostrength strength training range Global wellness leader Technogym has launched Biostrength, a new line for strength training that, backed by patented technology which uses artificial intelligence and scientific research, ensures exercisers get 30% better results in the same amount of time compared to classic training with equipment or free weights.

Introducing the new range, a Technogym spokesperson advised “Biostrength represents a great opportunity for fitness clubs and personal trainers to increase the value of their membership by offering their clients innovative programs that guarantee the desired results.

“Thanks to Mywellness, Technogym’s professional software platform, they can assign each user a tailor-made programme optimised to individual goals; with a simple log-in the user will be fully guided by Biostrength in the optimal execution of the exercise.”

Contact 1800 615 440, E: info.au@technogym.com, www.technogym.com

Pico Play expands into Vietnam Internationally regarded as ‘the fun-makers’, Pico Play is expanding its international operations with a new fabrication facility and regional office in the Vietnamese port city of Hai Phong in 2022.

Pico Play Director of Business Delivery Noel Dempsey said Vietnam’s vibrant attractions industry was a masterclass in post-pandemic recovery.

He applauded the industry’s fresh approach to theming its attractions over employing licensed brands such as Disney, Marvel or DreamWorks.

Dempsey notes “it’s a really interesting market that has just exploded over the past 10 to 20 years and one that is determined to make its mark, developing more of its own concepts, content theming and narratives and doing so with a sense of pride.

“Another unique factor is how themed attractions are developed in Vietnam.

“They are often on the back of a large-scale property development, where developers and construction groups acquire big parcels of land in beautiful locations for mixeduse precincts such as residential, accommodation, retail and leisure.

Pico Play is also designing attractions for several Novalandowned adventure and nature parks and family entertainment centres across Vietnam.

Additionally, the company is working with Sunny World Investment and Development Corp., Bao Son Group and Phat Dat Corporation on a range of attraction projects.

Contact 07 5688 1050, E: pico.play@pico.com, www.pico-play.com

Clean Health collaborates with Steppen to help educate and build online content for Fitness Professionals Steppen, a leading global fitness creator social app, is expanding its international presence with personal trainers through an exclusive collaboration with Clean Health - a global source of results-based online education for fitness professionals.

With over 290,000 active users registering globally in under 12 months and with rapid growth, Steppen is a free fitness creator social media platform designed to help personal trainers build, showcase, and monetise their online community while helping fans achieve their fitness goals.

Clean Health provides online fitness qualifications for people looking to become certified personal trainers and continuing education programs for current personal trainers.

For more information visit cleanhealth.edu.au or www.steppen.fit Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 63

Products

FlowRider launches new FlowSurf stationary wave system FlowRider has launched its first deep flow stationary wave system - FlowSurf - with the surf experience created using a deep flow of water, enabling guests to use a real surfboard to carve a never-ending wave instead of riding the wave on a flowboard.

Introducing the technology, Marshall Myrman, President of FlowRider notes “we all live, eat, sleep, and breathe surfing at FlowRider. FlowSurf isn’t real surfing because you’re not in the ocean, and it takes out the most difficult parts of surfing.

“River waves, which FlowSurf is modelled after, provide an amazing and fun experience on a surfboard where you cut and carve a continuous deep flow wave. Surfers of all levels will be able to work on their skills and have an absolute blast on this wave.”

FlowSurf is designed to accommodate all skill levels. A bar can be used to help beginners gain their confidence on the wave, and skilled surfers get the unique experience of “shredding a wave that keeps pumping endlessly”.

FlowSurf is available from WhiteWater West whose Australian representative is Jim Corbett.

M: 0418 755 159. E: jim.corbett@whitewaterwest.com/ sales@whitewaterwest.com, www.flowrider.com/flowsurf/

Audience Republic launches partnership with Moshtix Audience Republic, the all-in-one event marketing platform, has announced a new partnership with Moshtix, the Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment company.

The partnership sees Moshtix integrate with Audience Republic, unlocking a suite of event marketing tools for venues, promoters and festivals.

Using Audience Republic’s Presale Registration, Wait List and Competition products, Moshtix event partners can now supercharge their ticket sales by increasing word-of-mouth and building up an audience they own. Fans earn points for referring friends, following and subscribing - with the top point scorers unlocking rewards.

On top of this gamified approach, their Event CRM is a single place for organisers to bring together sales and customer data from the platforms they already use. This lets them put their data to use through a tailor-built platform - offering powerful audience insights, analytics, segmentation, email marketing, text messaging, and integrations with advertising networks.

Contact 1300 438 849, www.moshtix.com.au 64 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150

Maytronics announces Orimatech acquisition Aiming to further develop its presence in the commercial sector, pool cleaning technology innovator Maytronics has announced its acquisition of commercial pool equipment supplier Orimatech.

Orimatech, a key commercial master dealer of Maytronics WAVE Dolphin-branded robotic pool cleaners in NSW and Queensland since 2011, specialises in the sales and service of commercial robotic pool cleaners and associated commercial pool equipment products.

Advising of the acquisition and that the business will Orimatech’s John Davie being presented with continue to operate under the the Aquatic and Recreation Institute (NSW)’s Orimatech trade name, with Adam Lloyd Memorial Spirit Award by David Lloyd of International Quadratics following the all staff members welcomed initial announcement of the Award at a virtual into the Maytronics family, ceremony earlier this year.

Dan Kwaczynski, Managing Director of Maytronics, explained “this acquisition offers us a unique opportunity to leverage the capabilities, systems and processes of the Orimatech business together with the exceptional strengths, reputations and customer service of its strategic aquatic industry partners.”

Orimatech Director John Davie, who will remain with the business for several months before retiring, commented “since 1974, Orimatech has been providing sales and service of a range of equipment to the commercial swimming pool industry with a passion for offering honest and trustworthy service to our customers.”

Contact Maytronics on 1300 693 657, E: infoau@maytronics.com, www.maytronics.com.au Contact Orimatech on 02 9643 1308, E: info@orimatech.com.au, www.orimatech.com.au

New eo brand innovates in sport technology Melbourne City FC and Swimming Australia are among sporting clubs and organisations to endorse new groundbreaking wearable devices.

The new eo brand offers two wearable devices in the fields of elite swimming performance and concussion assessment that have secured the endorsement of a number of sporting identities and high-profile sporting clubs and organisations. eo SwimBETTER and eo NuroCHEK - have attracted widespread enthusiasm from former NRL Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Bloomfield, Olympic swimming gold medallist Kyle Chalmers, James Magnussen’s coach and Swimming Coach of the Year Brant Best, the NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs, superstar triathlete Vincent Luis, Melbourne City FC, and Swimming Australia.

Co-founded by Jaimie Fuller, former SKINS Chairman and sport-ethics activist; Dean Hawkins, who has worked in senior roles at adidas, SKINS, Alvarium and Mogo, and world leading, former NSWIS sports scientist Dr Kenneth Graham PhD; the trio bring over 70 combined years of business, brand and scientific expertise to their new venture.

More information can be found at www.eolab.com

revolutioniseSPORT platform being used by more than a third of Australian sporting organisations revolutioniseSPORT, the leading membership platform for the sport and recreation industry, has revealed that more than 250 state, territory and national sporting organisations around Australia are now using its technology.

With approximately 700 governing bodies in Australian sport, Alex Mednis, co-founder and Chief Executive of SportsGrid, the company behind the software, notes that revolutioniseSPORT is being used by more than a third of the country’s sporting organisations.

Mednis explains “we’re ecstatic by this milestone. We are now the clear market leader. The market share of all other vendors in Australia combined only equals under half of ours so this is a testament to the trust that sports around Australia have placed in revolutioniseSPORT. This is as much a success for our customers as it is for us.”

Australia has typically had a fragmented approach to sports technology, with some sports historically having eight different membership databases through the sport, or perilously building their own solutions.

Mednis adds “the history of sports trying the approach of ‘build your own system’ is not in anyone’s favour.

“One of the biggest risks to sport at the moment is companies promising systems that won’t materialise, or having millions of dollars of investment backing that has to be repaid. If systems aren’t built for long term commercial success and for enabling customers on multi-decade journeys, it is a train wreck waiting to happen”.

Contact 02 9746 5389, E: info@revolutionise.com.au, www.revolutionise.com.au

Products

Entrance control experts Axess expands Australasian business

Two years after appointing David Brown to lead its activities in Australia and New Zealand, entrance control leaders Axess is poised to expand in the region.

With subsidiaries all over the world, the Austrian company’s establishment of a branch office for Australasia had long been under discussion prior to Brown’s appointment.

With long-standing clients in the New Zealand ski fields and recognising opportunities in the Australian ski fields, the creation of an on the ground presence in the region, which sees Axess represented on all continents, has not only helped in the support of pre-existing customers directly but has also presented the company with the opportunity to deliver solutions for arenas, attractions, stadia and theme parks.

With Axess having the advantage of being able to provide all solutions in a single database, it has already installed its systems at URBNSurf Melbourne and, with CustomLinc, at the Port Arthur Historic site in Tasmania.

In use at New Zealand’s big five ski fields, the company is also installing flap gates at Australia’s Thredbo resort and ticket vending at Thredbo, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Perisher Resorts while offering a full management system that includes gates ticket vending, rentals, ski shop and gates at Charlotte Pass and the soon-to-reopen Selwyn Snow Resort.

Brown who is decorated for bravery in both Japan and Australia after saving several lives in an avalanche, represents the team in the position of General Manager with a strong sales career in the ski industry and is responsible for all five Axess business units in Australia.

Explaining the benefits Axess offers operators and their guests, Brown explains “Axess is so easy to use … everything just works, nothing ever seems to be a problem.”

Based on the Gold Coast, Axess’ Australasian branch provides sales, project management and service and support.

Contact 0411 726 330, E: d.brown@teamaxess.com, teamaxess.com

Clip ‘n Climb opened 18 new centres in 2021 Although having experienced economic challenges during COVID, international recreational climbing operator Clip ‘n Climb is still thriving - having added to its product range and opened 18 new centres in 2021.

With climbing added to the Tokyo Olympics, indoor climbing has been experiencing a surge in popularity with more people wanting fun, interactive ways to stay fit - and many of them are turning to Clip ‘n Climb for their climbing fun.

A new addition to the Clip ‘n Climb selection is the Champion’s Series, designed to reproduce the Olympic spirit. It is a new set of walls that comprises of fun new ways to promote a healthy competitive environment for climbers. The Champion’s Series consists of three types of walls, based on each Olympic discipline: Lead, Bouldering and Speed climbing. The Series has a small footprint but delivers a big impact.

New Zealand founded but now French owned, Clip ‘n Climb have also developed five new Prima Challenges - compact Challenges that allow indoor activity centres, climbing gyms and social entertainment centres to introduce new activities and maximise space.

Contact +33 4 7608 5376, E: sales-eu@funspot.com, www.clipnclimb.com/

Send your product news to leisure@ausleisure.com.au

Vivaticket and Digonex link to offer dynamic pricing option Ticketing and access control solutions Vivaticket has announced a strategic alliance with Digonex, a leading provider of dynamic pricing solutions for the attraction and live entertainment industries.

As a result, Vivaticket clients can now benefit from access to Digonex’s dynamic pricing services which enables clients to optimise revenues while expanding their market by maximising capacity, enhancing accessibility and utilising greater operational efficiencies.

Each client solution is tailored by Digonex’s team of PhD economists and skilled software developers, depending on the client’s individual objectives.

Digonex’s client base includes cultural institutions, tour operator sectors and entertainment venues. The company’s technology is the result of nearly two decades of research and development in pricing science.

Vivaticket offers a wide range of services as a major international operator in the creation, production, marketing and management of integrated electronic ticketing and access control systems.

Contact 1300 682 203, E: sales.au@vivaticket.com, www.vivaticket.com Australasian Leisure Management Issue 150 65

Advertisers Index Advertiser

Page No.

Active World

51

AUSTSWIM

23

Axess

43

Business France

13

House of Tickets

21

Hydrocare Pools

43

Jonas Leisure/Envibe

34 & 35

Laykold

37

Life Floor

47

Myrtha Pools

9

National Sports Convention

49

Otium Planning Group

11

ParkEquip

46

Perfect Gym

2&3

Piscine Global

67

ProSlide Technology

15

Quayclean

19

SLE Worldwide

17

Supreme Heating

45

Swimplex Aquatics

41

Technogym

27

Tim Batt Water Solutions

68

Tuff Group

31

TNW Australia

9

Vertel

5

Viva Leisure/Plus Fitness

7

VMA Management School

33

Polin Waterparks spotlights its leading technologies With Polin Waterparks creating entertainment centres by handling all manufacturing processes such as amusement park design, manufacturing, and operation, they consider themselves to be a ‘technology leader’ in the industry through their innovations.

Polin spotlight the following achievements: • Pioneering the use of Light Resin Transfer Moulding (L-RTM) which is commonly used in the aviation and defence industry by their waterslide manufacturers in 2006.

• The first waterslide manufacturer around the world to use L-RTM technology in manufacturing and globally changed the waterslide manufacturing technology manufacturing environmentally friendly waterslides with shiny and smooth surfaces on both sides.

• Continued successful projects with Natural Light Effects, Special Pattern Effects, Thematisation, Natural Sound Effects and translucent options that are patented and can be used in all products.

• Opened a new path for futuristic parks by developing new surface applications with different materials such as Glitter, Granite, Graffiti, Vintage, Mosaic, Triangulated, Wood’n Slide, Reflection and Honey Comb. These were distinctive applications with designers and operators that support thematisation and storytelling with trends that gain importance in today’s world.

• Introduced the first completely transparent composite waterslide to the industry in 2018 as a result of innovation efforts. Fully transparent composites waterslide which is an important development not just in waterpark manufacturing but also in the composite industry brought a brand-new alternative to acrylic solutions in terms of durability, price, performance, quality, and functionality.

• Introduced unlimited pattern and story-creating options in 2020 with UTEXTURE technology which is integrated into Polin’s manufacturing process.

Polin note that “we always aim to offer better solutions to our customers and widen their imaginations as a brand with experience in the entertainment world with composite material development efforts.”

Contact Swimplex, Polin Waterparks’ Australian representative on 1300 796 759, E: sales@swimplex.com.au, www.swimplex.com.au

accesso delivers enhanced eCommerce ticketing features with new PayPal Integration accesso Technology Group has established a new integration with PayPal to offer additional online payment flexibility for clients of its award-winning accesso Passport eCommerce ticketing solution. accesso, which first integrated PayPal into the checkout process for accesso Passport online ticketing system users worldwide in 2014, has now expanded the collaboration, with client venues able to offer PayPal’s popular ‘Pay Later’ options to guests.

Already live, the integration includes ‘Pay in 41’, which allows eligible guests to pay for a purchase in four, interest-free payments over six weeks; and ‘PayPal Credit2’ - a digital credit line that offers six months of special financing on purchases.

Contact sales@accesso.com, www.accesso.com/

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