Published 31 March 2026

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Supports Aquatic and Leisure Management Stream at National Sports and Physical Activity Convention 2026

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) will once again collaborate with the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) in 2026, continuing a shared commitment to advancing leadership and collaboration across the sport, aquatics, and leisure sectors. This renewed partnership underscores both organisations’ dedication to shaping an inclusive, sustainable, and future-focused industry that supports the next generation of leaders, facilities, users, and communities.

Returning on 1–2 July 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention is the leading knowledge-sharing event for the sport, recreation, and physical activity ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific, with NSC 2025 attracting more than 1,700 attendees and over 50 workshops, keynotes and expo sessions.

In 2026, the Convention looks firmly to the future, exploring how the sport, leisure and aquatics sector can future-proof itself by supporting the next generation of participants, volunteers, leaders and community facilities, and by embracing new technology, design and funding models.

RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry at RLSSA, highlighted how supporting NSC26 contributes to RLSSA’s 2030 strategy and long term support of the aquatic industry.

“Partnering with NSC 2026 helps us realise our goal of bringing people together to eliminate drowning and empower communities to be safe around water. Through this collaboration, we’re able to connect emerging leaders, decision-makers and practitioners who share our focus on developing the aquatic workforce, reaching children who miss out on swimming and water safety, and ensuring every community has access to safe, vibrant public pools — no matter the postcode.”

Martin Sheppard, Chief Executive of the NSC, said the partnership with RLSSA is a natural fit for NSC26’s focus:

“We are delighted to again partner with Royal Life Saving Australia. Their sustained commitment to emerging aquatic leaders, water safety education for all children, and their thought leadership elevating the global dialogue about the value of public pools in every community aligns perfectly with NSC’s ambition to shape the next generation of community sport and leisure.”

Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program – NSC 2026

To further support the next generation of leaders in lifesaving, aquatics and community leisure, RLSSA and NSC are again offering Emerging Leaders Scholarships for up to 10 early-career professionals to attend NSC 2026. Each scholarship provides complimentary delegate access to the full convention program, including keynotes, workshops and expo access, however, travel and accommodation are at the participant’s own cost.

Recipients may also be invited to virtual leadership development sessions and an exclusive networking opportunity with senior leaders from across sport, aquatics and community wellbeing. Applicants should be emerging leaders working or volunteering in aquatic and leisure, sport, community wellbeing or drowning prevention, ideally under 35 years of age and committed to community impact, inclusion and future-focused facility management.

• Applications close: 11.00pm Sunday 19 April 2026
• Applicants notified of outcome: by end of April 2026
• How to apply: Complete the online Expression of Interest form:
  Emerging Leaders Scholarship – Expression of Interest
• Hear from previous scholars: video below

To support the next generation of leaders, the NSC is offering a special discounted rate for under 25s at less than one third of the cost of a regular ticket.

NSC Aquatic and Leisure Management Stream Overview

The role of aquatic and leisure facilities is expanding, from service delivery to becoming central hubs for health, wellbeing and community connection. As expectations evolve, facility management must move beyond traditional models to embrace innovation, inclusion and long-term planning.

The Aquatic & Leisure Management stream will explore how the next generation of leisure facility management is being shaped through new operating models, strategic partnerships and community-focused management. With a focus on participation growth, social cohesion and wellbeing outcomes, this stream brings together global perspectives, government insight and on-the-ground expertise to examine how facilities can deliver impact over the next 25 to 100 years.

The Next Generation of Leisure Facility Management – Keynote Session

Planning and investing in community facilities requires a fresh mindset — one that aligns developers, funders and operators to deliver long-term community outcomes. This keynote explores how innovative frameworks and new approaches to governance, funding and operations can create vibrant, active communities, and the processes required to deliver facilities that remain relevant, inclusive and sustainable for generations.

Speakers:

• Pavit Singh, Managing Partner, Ileseum Clubs
• Sarah Murray, CEO, Recreation Aotearoa

The Next Gen Panel 3

Community sport and leisure facilities are entering a new era of delivery and impact. Building on the keynote, this panel brings together leaders from operations and government to share what is on their strategic radar for the next decade and how current investment and delivery models are evolving to meet future community needs. The discussion will explore how organisations are translating momentum into measurable outcomes across participation, wellbeing and facility performance.

Panellists include:

• Toby McCready, Service Lead, Cockburn ARC
• Adam Trottman, Director, Infrastructure and Planning, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing SA

Workshop 3.1: The Next Generation of Participants – Over 50s

As populations age, the over-50 demographic represents one of the largest untapped opportunities for participation growth. This workshop explores how aquatic and leisure facilities can better understand and respond to the expectations, motivations and needs of older adults, and how targeted programming can increase participation while supporting health, safety and community connection.

Presenters include:

• Dr Will Koon, National Manager – Drowning Prevention Strategy, RLSSA
• Ricki Jones, Data Consulting NZ

Workshop 3.2: Targeting Adolescence and Youth

Engaging young people in aquatic and leisure activities presents both challenges and opportunities. This session explores how participation strategies can better reflect youth motivations, behaviours and expectations, and how facilities and programs can adapt to attract and retain younger audiences in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Presenters include:

• Matthew Simpson, National Participation Manager, Swimming Australia
• Scott Rice, Event Director, Z Manu World Championships

PitchFEST 3: Unlocking the Power of Aquatics & Leisure Facilities for Social Cohesion

Aquatic and leisure facilities are more than places for activity; they can be powerful anchors for community connection. This session explores how planning, programming and culturally responsive approaches can strengthen inclusion and bring diverse communities together, with real-world examples highlighting how facilities can build social cohesion and foster belonging.

Presenters:

• Darryl Condon, Managing Director, HCMA
• Adam Luscombe, General Manager, YMCA
• Ennia Jones, A Splash of Colour Swimming

Workshop 3.4: The Next Generation of Community Provision

Community expectations are shifting towards integrated health, wellness and lifestyle services. This workshop explores how aquatic and leisure facilities can evolve to deliver broader wellbeing outcomes, moving beyond traditional service models to provide holistic community offerings, with a focus on future service design, operational models and the growing role of wellness within leisure management.

Presenters:

• Paige Buse, Founder, Paige Buse Consulting
• Warren Green, Managing Director, Warren Green Consulting

This stream is essential for aquatic and leisure facility operators, local government leaders, planners, health and wellbeing providers, and industry partners focused on delivering modern, inclusive and future-ready community facilities.

For further details on NSC26, visit:
https://nationalsportsconvention.com.au

To secure your place at the convention:
Register now

Please remember to input ‘RLSSA26’ during registration to obtain the collaborator discount rate.