Presenters
With a focus on the three key themes - People Centricity, Product, and Perspective - Presenters will provide invaluable insights and strategies to propel your swim school forward.
Business Conference | Tues 20th - Thurs 22nd August
Cherie Canning | Luminate Leadership, Australia
Cherie Canning is a passionate optimist, an avid traveller and the Founder and Director of Luminate Leadership. Her passion lies in inspiring people to achieve their potential by developing their 'human skills'. With almost two decades of leading and developing leaders at Flight Centre Travel Group, Cherie's authentic communication style and engaging workshop content continue to deliver results and leave a lasting impact.
Eric Bailey | National Basketball League, Australia & USA
Eric Bailey's journey embodies resilience and achievement. Although his NBA dream fell short, Eric made his mark in the NBL with the Hobart Tassie Devils, Melbourne Tigers, and Gold Coast Rollers. Since 1993, he has inspired over 4.5 million people in 13 countries, sharing a powerful message of overcoming adversity and seizing opportunities. His profound insights and infectious enthusiasm will leave a lasting impression.
Kim Seeling Smith | Business Futurist, Australia & USA
Kim Seeling Smith helps organisations thrive through the rapidly changing world of AI and the Polycrisis (where multiple crises intersect and affect each other). She has collaborated with Sir Richard Branson and is a Top 101 Global Influencer on Employee Engagement. Kim authored "Mind Reading for Managers" and co-wrote a Career Development Guide with Brian Tracy. You can find her insights in major media outlets like The Today Show, Forbes, and CNBC. Originally a CPA with KPMG, Kim uniquely merges commercial expertise with Future of Work innovations.
James Castrission | Author and World-Record Holder, Australia
James Castrission is an Australian thought leader in building leadership capabilities for leading high-performance teams and fostering an explorer's mindset for achieving the extraordinary. Cas is renowned as a World-Record-Breaking Aussie Explorer constantly pushing the boundaries of human endurance. He also spent five years as a management consultant at Deloitte.
Maz Farrelly | Communications Expert, Australia & UK
Maz Farrelly has spent 30 years at the cutting edge of the crazy world of TV & Movies, so the contacts in her smart phone read like the toilet queue at the Oscars. Her content has been watched more than eight billion times worldwide and one event she produced created so much social traffic, it broke Twitter. Maz now uses her TV and Film Producing techniques and strategies to help businesses grow and work forces think differently. Expect great showbiz stories, great celebrity gossip and incredible forever skills.
Matthew Haanappel | OAM PLY, Australia
Matthew is a senior industry leader with expertise in policy, projects, and advocacy for accessibility and equal opportunities. An experienced swim teacher, he has managed multiple swim school programs. He regularly contributes to media on Diversity and Inclusion, Disability, and Paralympic sports, and has over a decade of experience in the Diversity & Inclusion sector.
Matthew received the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2014 and the International Paralympic Committee Contribution Award (PLY) in 2022 for his impactful global contributions.
Alexandra Ash | The Y Australia, Australia
A professional multidisciplinary C-suite executive leading large for purpose enterprises including high performance and community sport, commercial growth, community services, corporate services, recreation, asset management, youth services, camping, children’s services and aquatics.
Simon Bryson | Aligned Leisure, Australia
Simon is a highly committed and energetic professional, who is passionate about shaping the future of the leisure industry. Known for his ability to build high performance teams and drive team culture, Simon’s visible leadership and hands-on approach has consistently seen the delivery of superior team and business results throughout his career.
Theo Millward | Swimtime, United Kingdom
After working for 5 years at the UK Swimming Teachers Association at a senior level, Theo purchased UK swim school, Swimtime. Swimtime is a UK based franchised swim school operating from over 300 sites and teaching 20,000 children a week. Since 2016, Swimtime has undergone an award-winning digital transformation, driven by the development of an in-house platform, Swimcloud. This project won both the UK Digital Experience Awards and the International Customer Experience Awards.
Nicky Sloan | City Venue Management, Australia
Nicky is a commercial, dynamic and results-orientated HR Leader. Nicky has a decisive-yet-collaborative leadership style that suits a variety of business environments with all key stakeholders, including executive level and board. Nicky is tough minded in her approach to achieving success and has a strong personal commitment to loyalty and integrity, with a resilient capacity to stay positive under pressure. Nicky's success factor lies in her ability to connect with people and champion organisational culture through creating a delightful and engaging employee experience.
Glen Heidke | Virign Active, UK
With over 20 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry, Glen is dedicated to creating and delivering innovative and engaging products that enhance customer health and well-being. As the Group Chief Product Officer at Virgin Active, Glen oversees product strategy, development, and launch for both digital and physical offerings. He collaborates closely with regional and local teams, as well as external partners, to ensure products meet diverse customer needs and preferences while driving revenue growth, profitability, loyalty, and lifetime value.
Darren Lloyd | Flight Centre Travel Group, Australia
With a career spanning over two decades, Darren has amassed extensive experience across various industries. He has overseen operations at Australia’s largest travel retailer and managed multi-site fashion establishments. Most recently, Darren has ventured into childcare advisory services, drawing on his experience as a co-owner of childcare centers with his wife. Additionally, he offers valuable insights as an advisory board member for a multinational camping and lifestyle manufacturing company. Darren’s diverse professional journey has honed his expertise in strategic management, business development, and industry leadership, making him well-equipped to navigate complex challenges and drive success in dynamic environments.
Educators Day | Monday 19th August
Maddy Yeaman | Kidlets Allied Health, Australia
Maddy holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Masters of Disability Studies with Specialisation in Sensory Disability. Maddy has worked extensively with children and adolescents through her work as an OT, Learn to Swim Instructor, Coach and Dance Teacher. She is a qualified Coach with Riding for the Disabled and coaches in the Riding Programs at “Tall Timbers”. Maddy is committed to providing evidence-based, goal-directed, family and client centered, fun programs.
Mel Rickwood | Aquatics Down Under Swim School, Australia
Mel, along with her husband Neil, are the owners of Aquatics Down Under swim school in Sydney, Australia. Mel's 25-plus years of accumulated knowledge and networking have provided her with extensive experience and contacts within the aquatic industry. Melissa is a highly regarded industry expert qualified to provide education, guidance, and assessment of Swimming Teachers and Course Presenters. She has conducted learn-to-swim courses internationally and presented at numerous industry conferences throughout Australia and New Zealand. Melissa is regarded as a leading aquatic educator in Australia. Mel is on the Board of Directors for the Australian Swim Schools Association and a member of their Water Safety Committee.
Sue Mayo | Rackley Swimming, Australia
Since 1998, Sue Mayo BPsychSc has enraptured audiences worldwide with her expertise on diverse topics, from team building to teaching strategies. With over four decades in aquatic education, Sue is renowned for her innovative approaches in child development and inclusive learning environments. Emphasizing continuous learning, Sue, a psychological science expert, offers invaluable insights into emotional development and fostering positive relationships with young swimmers. Attendees of her sessions can anticipate practical methods for thriving teams, promising to equip both teachers and managers with tools to unlock their team's full potential.
Jason Cram | Swimly, Australia
With over 20 years of competitive swimming experience, including representing Australia internationally and winning gold at major events, Jason Cram, Head Instructor at Swimly, has had an illustrious pool career. Transitioning into diverse roles post-retirement, he now focuses on guiding adults through water-related traumas and promoting water confidence.
Július Kováč | Klub Kvapka, Slovakia
Július is a swim school co-owner, CEO, and instructor. He has a background in pedagogy and extensive experience in education. Július has a passion for making children feel comfortable and secure in the water, which inspired him to start "Klub Kvapka". Utilizing his expertise and research-based methodolgies, Július creates a welcoming environment where children can feel safe and learn to swim with confidence.
Peter Reaburn | Miami Masters Swimming Club, Australia
Peter Reaburn is a recently retired Professor of Exercise and Sport Science, with a storied career in both academia and athletics. He currently serves as President and coach at Miami Masters Swimming Club on the Gold Coast, the largest club of its kind in Queensland. A former national surf lifesaving and Ironman Triathlon champion, Peter holds a national record and is ranked 4th globally in the 4x100m freestyle relay. He earned a Bachelor of Human Movement Science (Education) and has a rich background as a Health and PE Teacher. With a Graduate Certificate of Flexible Learning, Peter has been recognized with a National University Teaching Citation in 2013 for his innovative use of adult learning strategies to enhance outcomes for exercise and sport science students.
Australian Swim Schools Association
PO Box 552, Miami
QLD 4220 Australia
E: admin@australianswimschools.org.au
P: (+61) 418 962156We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Gold Coast, the Yugambeh people, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. It is with gratitude and respect that we host the ASSA National Conference 2024 on Yugambeh Country.