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As we wrap up a remarkable year for this industry, it’s a good time to look back on what have been Australasian Leisure Management's most read online news items of the 2024.

The news - listed below - shows the 60 most read news items of the year, reflecting the diversity of this industry and our reader’s professional interests.

Its also worth noting that it has been a remarkable year for this publication, both in print and online.

Following the acquisition by SPASA (Swimming Pool and Spa Association) in December 2023, readership has expanded (both in print and online), we have a presence at a greater number of industry events and exhibitions and our partnerships have grown.

Partnerships
The year also saw the return of our partner logos to the front cover of the magazine, reflecting the importance of the associations who are our industry publication partners:

• Aquatic and Recreation Institute of NSW (ARI NSW) 
• Aquatics and Recreation Queensland (ARQ)
• AUSactive
• Australian Mass Participation Sporting Events Alliance (AMPSEA)
• Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA)
• Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA)
• Exercise Industry Association of New Zealand (Exercise NZ)
• Gymnastics Clubs Australia 
• IAKS ANZ
• LIWA Aquatics
• Sports and Play Industry Association Limited (SAPIA)
• Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) [VMA]

In addition, our Asian website www.asianleisure.biz is supported by:

• Hong Kong Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (HKAAPA)
• Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council (MENALAC)

We expect to announce further partners in 2025.

Looking Forward
In 2025, Australasian Leisure Management will, as it has always done, aim to promote all that is best about this industry, equipping managers, professionals and other stakeholders with information which helps them in their work and activities as well as aiding their decision making.

We are committed to the open sharing of information across the industry, overcoming the silos that still exist in some sectors, to help this industry advance.

Our most read news of the year follows.

Lower image: Australasian Leisure Management team members at the 2024 AUSactive awards: SPASA Chief Executive Lindsay McGrath, Australasian Leisure Management Editor Karen Sweaney, Australasian Leisure Management/SPASA Brand Manager Declan Gillard-Martin and Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton.

Related Articles

20th December 2024 - Confederation of Australian Sport looks to industry unity and revival of advocacy role

20th December 2024 - Wizard of Oz precinct opens at Warner Bros. Movie World

17th December 2024 - Move to create trade union for group fitness instructors

16th December 2024 - New design for Gabba and adjacent Brisbane Arena presented to 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure and planning review

10th December 2024 - Stadiums Queensland venues welcomed record 5.8 million patrons in 2023/24 financial year

9th December 2024 - Melbourne’s St Kilda Pier opens following $53 million redevelopment

4th December 2024 - Event Safety Institute to stage Applied Crowd Science courses in 2025

27th November 2024 - AUSactive names Emmett Williams as next Chair

26th November 2024 - Inquest into toddler’s drowning death at remote Northern Territory pool reveals extensive failures by MacDonnell Regional Council

8th November 2024 - Plans unveiled for 12,000-seat arena on the Gold Coast

27th October 2024 - Art installation event sees 5,500 nude participants transform Brisbane’s Story Bridge

21st October 2024 - Swimming Australia avoids global ban as agreement reached with World Aquatics

17th October 2024 - Jetts New Zealand collaborates on educational and inspirational roadshow

17th October 2024 - $2 swim program to return to Brisbane City Council’s aquatic centres for summer

15th October 2024 - Parks and Leisure Australia names Anand Pillay as its new Chief Executive

14th October 2024 - Live performance remains under pressure notwithstanding 2023 record attendance and revenue

4th October 2024 - PLA National President condemns ‘hostile actions’ and ‘misinformation’ over body’s planned constitutional change

25th September 2024 - Dreamworld announces new King Claw ride

24th September 2024 - Asbestos advocates concerned over James Hardie’s Parramatta Eels sponsorship

13th September 2024 - Aventuur advises of investment initiatives for new Perth Surf park

27th August 2024 - New Venue General Manager appointed at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

26th August 2024 - Fitness First Australia launches recovery concept at new flagship Melbourne location

23rd August 2024 - Aquatic and recreation industry stakeholders come together to consider united industry representation

22nd August 2024 - Aligned Leisure’s Shane Dunne named new Chief Executive at AFL’s Richmond FC

20th August 2024 - UNSW safety research shows volunteer surf lifesavers have sole responsibility for patrolling NSW beaches just 14.4% of the time

16th August 2024 - LIWA Aquatics’ WA Aquatic Recreation Conference features tribute to 20 years of Watch Around Water

2nd August 2024 - Balanced Body distributor HF Industries destroys counterfeit Pilates equipment

26th July 2024 - Swedish private equity group to purchase Fitness Passport platform for $750 million

24th July 2024 - Venue Management Association announces Joel Edmondson as new Chief Executive

24th July 2024 - Initial design for Brisbane Olympic stadium shows venue with one grandstand

23rd July 2024 - Auckland Council urged to stop privatising management of aquatic and recreation centres

23rd July 2024 - Council to commence legal proceedings against North Sydney Olympic Pool architects

19th July 2024 - Perth Zoo to enhance accessibility with new Changing Places facility

28th June 2024 - Aussie World expansion to include $60 million waterpark for Sunshine Coast

26th June 2024 - Luna Park Sydney put up for sale

21st May 2024 - Wages victory for staff in battle with Fitness and Lifestyle Group

13th May 2024 - More than 2000 people evacuated from Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre as a result of roof fire

7th May 2024 - BlueFit and Fitness and Lifestyle Group announce learn to swim partnership

17th April 2024 - Australians spent more than $3 billion on fitness clubs and gyms in 2023

17th April 2024 - Seating supplier Camatic enters voluntary administration

14th April 2024 - Bondi Junction fitness centres closed in aftermath of knife attack murders

19th March 2024 - Sports Commission’s Kieren Perkins advises that ‘federated model for sport guarantees obstruction and oblivion’

12th March 2024 - Tony de Leede expands ‘wello’ concept at new wellness-oriented co-working venue

1st March 2024 - Secret Sounds Connect study unveils cultural zeitgeist of Gen Z in 2024

20th February 2024 - Chief Executive at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club departs after auditors report shows $2.4 million F&B losses

13th February 2024 - Record ticket sales and membership figures drive strong AFL 2023 financial result

12th February 2024 - Plans revealed for new downtown Auckland stadium

26th January 2024 - Gymnastics Australia Chief Executive Alexandra Ash resigns

21st January 2024 - Death of former Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre Chief Executive Simon Weatherill

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