Aquatics & Recreation Victoria’s Post

Last Thursday, Ikon Park became the epicenter of the Victorian fitness and wellness industry as over 100 professionals gathered for a fantastic day of insights and inspiration. Welcomed by ARV sponsor Life Fitness Australia, settting the stage with a message of collaboration and community, before Chris Alexander from AUSactive delved into 2025’s fitness trends, giving us a glimpse of what lies ahead. Former AFL legend Nathan Buckley acted as our keynote speaker for the event, sharing his personal journey, lessons he’s learned, and his unique perspective on leadership. His Q&A session on transitioning from player to coach to media personality sparked valuable conversations about growth and adaptability. Further presentations explored topics such as the future of fitness, with Owen Bowling (Coach Welly) captivating us with how AI & technology can revolutionize member engagement, while Hannah Battista (YMCA Victoria) demonstrated how inclusivity can make fitness more accessible to all. A dynamic panel featuring Adam White (Life Fitness Australia), Daniel Pollard (Les Mills Asia Pacific), Emmett Williams (Myzone®), Jarrod Reid (PLAE), Marietta Mehanni & Liz Pommer dove into innovations in equipment and programming, giving practical tips for evolving with the times. With industry leaders Bridie Chesterfield (YMCA Victoria) , Jayden Cox (Belgravia Leisure), and Jackie Babington (Aligned Leisure) sharing strategies for overcoming challenges such as member retention and staff development, as Christopher Rivera reminded us of the importance of team wellbeing, with actionable tips to foster a positive workplace culture. Finally, Kara Blute from Carlton Football Club gave us a fascinating look into sports science, demonstrating how data is shaping player performance and wellbeing. The event concluded with an exclusive tour of Ikon Park’s world-class facilities—a fitting end to a day dedicated to pushing boundaries. Thank you to Life Fitness Australia for making this event possible. Your support continues to inspire us all to build a stronger, more connected industry.

  • No alternative text description for this image
  • No alternative text description for this image
  • No alternative text description for this image
  • No alternative text description for this image
  • No alternative text description for this image
    +1
Christopher Rivera

Founder Symbiotic Consultancy| Safety Professional | Workshop Facilitator | Leadership Mentor | Head Coach | Dog Handler

4mo

Thank you and the team for the opportunity to share insights. It was an amazing day which flowed amazingly and highlighting many key areas of focus to grow our industry.

Liz Pommer

CEO Kintsugi Group: Big Idea Ventures (Aust) | OX Design | My Swim Cream | Jazz Cowboy Productions | Fintech startup | Kintsugi Advisory | Toy shop owner 🤠

4mo

It was a genuinely insightful day, thanks! I hope I was able to bring some diverse thinking to the discussion on future trends and the value they could bring to aquatic and fitness centres. Thanks for inviting me!

See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics