AusLeisure

In a remarkable year, the team at Australasian Leisure Management has again aimed to report on all aspects of the leisure industry in Australia and New Zealand while also featuring ever increasing coverage of the leisure industry across Asia. 

At all times we have set out to present credible, well-written and accessible content relevant to professionals in all sectors of the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) and from which readers can learn and be informed so as to be equipped to perform their roles better.

At the same time, and without sensationalism, we also scrutinise the industry as not every venture, initiative, program or facility is a success and, as with all aspects of life, we learn from our mistakes.

The snapshot of news items listed below - a handful of the over 2,000 news item published in Australasian Leisure Management through 2015 – give a cross section of some of the highlights and key trends in leisure through the past year:

Fitness continues to grow – with the ongoing growth of 24/7 clubs and new franchises, the active population now has more opportunities to exercise than ever before.

Success of major events – Australia and New Zealand’s joint hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup, Australia hosting the AFC Asian Championships, annual events such as rugby league’s state of origin and special events such as UFC193 at Etihad Stadium and international football have attracted massive crowds.

Professional recognition – the achievements of many in the industry have been recognised by industry awards but the most significant acknowledgement an industry professional received was sports administrator Therese Walsh being named a Dame, New Zealand’s highest honour for her work in organising the ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Venues deliver economic benefits – attracting multiple awards the economic impact of the redeveloped Adelaide Oval was recognised during the year for its role in revitalising the South Australian capital. Perth also saw a remarkable September and end of year with its Domain Stadium hosting multiple games in the AFL finals series.

Fan and customer engagement – led by major sports, there was much attention paid to fan engagement during 2015. Yet Football Federation Australia, while espousing fan engagement, scored a remarkable own goal in disenfranchising its core supporters.

Security – the impact of the Paris terror attacks in November was felt around the world in November and with venues being key targets of the attacks, venues around the world are introducing enhanced security measures.

Innovation and Investment – perhaps the most significant innovation the industry has experienced has been the growth in wearable technology while, amid multiple industry investments, the Dalian Wanda group’s investments in attractions, entertainment and sport heralds the rise of a global industry giant.

Christchurch rebuilds – the announcement in December that Christchurch City Council is to receive a global settlement of $635 million from its insurers for all its facilities damaged in the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes, including Lancaster Park (the former AMI Stadium) was a significant move forward for the stricken city. The year has also seen the refurbishment of the Christchurch Town Hall get the go ahead and the design team appointed for the city’s new Metro sports facility.

Fitness passes/sharing – a major development of the year has seen the arrival of fitness sharing in Australia, no contract, subscription gym use passes that allows user to attend unlimited fitness classes. A range of players have entered this fast changing space.

Arts under pressure – the year also saw Federal Arts Minister George Brandis announce plans to grab $104.7 million previously allocated to the Australia Council for a new National Program for Excellence in the Arts. After massive industry protests much of the funding was restored by Senator Brandis’ successor.

Scandals and scrutiny – ongoing scandals in global sport administration and sports doping at home have filled the news through 2015. The industry experienced its own issues with extensive reports of cruelty towards animals in international zoos, live bating in the Australian greyhound industry and inappropriate uses of venue and event tickets by agencies in Western Australia.

ANZAC commemoration – with the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign having passed in April, attractions and venue across Australia and New Zealand marked this, and other First World War events during the year.

Farewell - sadly we have also had to report on the loss of leading industry figures and friends, with 2015 seeing the passing of industry giants including arts administrator Betty Churcher, Australian icon Ron Clarke, leisure studies pioneer Elery Hamilton-Smith and venue and sport manager Peter McLeod. And with apologies to those who have passed that we may have overlooked.

In print, the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine expanded and we published what I felt was out best ever issue in July/August 2015. To top that, we followed with an exclusive with Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group and founder of Virgin Active Health Clubs in our September/October 2015 issue.

And as the year closes, I/we also extend a massive thanks to all those who have contributed media releases, ideas, leads and good old fashioned gossip! 

Wishing all readers a happy, healthy, successful and prosperous 2016.
Nigel Benton, Publisher

19th December 2015 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW PLANS NEW ROLLERCOASTER, HOTEL AND LAKESIDE ATTRACTION AT MOVIE WORLD

18th December 2015 - CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE $635 MILLION POST-EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT

14th December 2015 - TOURISM LEADERS WELCOME PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

12th December 2015 - 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPENING OF AUSTRALIA’S WONDERLAND 

5th December 2015 - SPONSORSHIP SURGES AS TENNIS BOOSTED BY ‘CLEAN’ IMAGE

30th November 2015 - VALE: PETER MCLEOD, HEAD OF EVENTS AND VENUES ROTORUA AND NZ WARRIORS CO-FOUNDER

26th November 2015 - DALIAN WANDA UNVEILS WANDA SPORTS GROUP

16th November 2015 - UFC193 EVENT DELIVERS RECORD $9.5 MILLION TICKET SALES AT ETIHAD STADIUM

16th November 2015 - VENUE MANAGERS ASSESS SECURITY AFTER PARIS TERROR ATTACKS 

15th November 2015 - VENUES ACROSS THE WORLD SHINE BLUE, WHITE AND RED TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH FRANCE

12th November 2015 - FAIRFAX MEDIA PUBLISHES ADVERTORIALS TO PROMOTE BODYPASS, FAILS TO DECLARE OWNERSHIP

3rd November 2015 - RUGBY WORLD CUP UNDERLINES ALL BLACKS SUPREMACY

29th October 2015 - CLASSPASS LAUNCHES MONTHLY FITNESS MEMBERSHIP SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA

29th October 2015 - SIGNIFICANT ATTENDANCE FALLS ACROSS STADIUMS QUEENSLAND VENUES

21st October 2015 - COWBOYS ENJOY MASSIVE ACCLAIM ACROSS NORTH QUEENSLAND

8th October 2015 - INCREASED INVESTMENT ONE OF THREE KEY PRIORITIES FOR RECREATION INDUSTRY

26th September 2015 - WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS REJECT ‘EXCESSIVE’ POLICE PROPOSALS FOR FAN BEHAVIOUR 

22nd September 2015 - LAST SUMMER FOR VICTOR HARBOR’S GREENHILLS ADVENTURE PARK

21st September 2015 - PRIME MINISTER TURNBULL LINKS ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS AND RESTORES TOURISM MINISTER IN NEW MINISTRY

10th September 2015 - DOMAIN STADIUM SET FOR BIGGEST EVER THREE MONTHS

6th September 2015 - AFIRM MANUAL AIMS TO IMPROVE GYM SAFETY

2nd September 2015 - ARCHITECTS HIGHLIGHT CONTEMPORARY AQUATIC AND RECREATION FACILITIES AS SOCIAL HUBS

1st September 2015 - ELTON JOHN TO FAREWELL LANDMARK SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

26th August 2015 - SHOULD FITNESS CLUBS INSTALL DEFIBRILLATORS?

14th August 2015 - THREE QUARTERS OF NEW ZEALANDERS SAY GYM MEMBERSHIP HAS HELPED THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS

12th August 2015 - SYDNEY’S COSTLY AFFAIR WITH EXTRAVAGANT AQUATIC CENTRES

7th August 2015 - AUSTRALIAN WATER SAFETY COUNCIL LOOKS TO IMPROVE REDUCTIONS IN DROWNING NUMBERS

3rd August 2015 - FORSYTH BARR STADIUM LOOKS FOR FIRST ANNUAL PROFIT

26th July 2015 - INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE BRAND VALUE DIPS FOLLOWING TEAM BANS

22nd July 2015 - AFLEX DELIVERS THE WORLD’S LONGEST INFLATABLE SLIDE

7th July 2015 - LORNA JANE HIGHLIGHTS ‘MISCONCEPTIONS’ OVER VACANCY ADVERTISEMENT FOR SIZE SMALL RECEPTIONIST

6th July 2015 - VALE: ELERY HAMILTON-SMITH, FOUNDING FATHER OF AUSTRALIAN LEISURE STUDIES

30th June 2015 - CRICKET WORLD CUP HOSTING DELIVERS $1.1 BILLION DIVIDEND

30th June 2015 - APPEAL OF JUMPING PILLOW DECISION FALLS FLAT

27th June 2015 - END OF YEAR COMPLETION FOR ADELAIDE SHORES AERIAL ADVENTURE PARK

24th June 2015 - WOMEN’S SPORT IS A SERIOUSLY UNTAPPED MARKET

18th June 2015 - MCG SETS STATE OF ORIGIN CROWD RECORD

18th June 2015 - REMEMBERING RON CLARKE: LEISURE INDUSTRY INNOVATOR

10th June 2015 - THANYAPURA TO INVEST US$10 MILLION TO BECOME ‘SPORTS HUB OF ASIA’

2nd June 2015 - THERESE WALSH MADE A DAME IN QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

1st June 2015 - DEFIBRILLATORS TO HELP VICTORIAN SPORTS CLUBS SAVE LIVES

14th May 2015 - QUEENSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

13th May 2015 - FEDERAL BUDGET TAKES $100 MILLION FROM AUSTRALIA COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH ARTS EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

28th April 2015 - RON WALKER RETIRES AS CHAIRMAN OF AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CORPORATION

22nd April 2015 - WORLD’S PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS RECEIVE EIGHT BILLION VISITS A YEAR

15th April 2015 - WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF TOURISM

11th April 2015 - VAIL’S PERISHER PURCHASE TO IMPACT AUSTRALIAN SKI PASS PRICING

8th April 2015 - GYMBETTER INITIATIVE GIVES CLUBS ACCESS TO 3.9 MILLION MEDIBANK MEMBERS

1st April 2015 - AFL ANTI-DOPING TRIBUNAL FINDS ESSENDON PLAYERS NOT GUILTY OF USING BANNED PEPTIDE

1st April 2015 - ART WORLD REMEMBERS FORMER NATIONAL GALLERY DIRECTOR BETTY CHURCHER

27th March 2015 - MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION SPORT AND MUSIC FANS ENJOY FIRST YEAR OF THE NEW ADELAIDE OVAL

26th March 2015 - SERIAL DEFECATOR CAUSES WEEKLY CLOSURES OF SOUTHLAND AQUATIC CENTRE

25th March 2015 - INTERNATIONAL ZOO ASSOCIATION ACCUSED OF OVERLOOKING HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY

12th March 2015 - SHARE VOLATILITY AFTER ARDENT LEISURE ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

5th March 2015 - NEW QUESTIONS OVER TICKETS MISUSE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

25th February 2015 - $600 MILLION PLAN TO UPGRADE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AND ARTS VENUES

20th February 2015 - WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S HEALTHWAY BOARD AND STAFF IN CORPORATE TICKETING RORT

18th February 2015 - NEW ZEALAND MOVES FORWARD WITH GREEN PRESCRIPTIONS

16th February 2015 - ABC LIVE BAITING REVELATIONS TO BE ‘EXTREMELY DAMAGING’ TO AUSTRALIAN GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY

13th February 2015 - CHINA’S WANDA BUYS INFRONT SPORTS & MEDIA FOR US$1.2 BILLION

21st January 2015 - AEG OGDEN MANAGED ARENAS SHINE ON THE WORLD STAGE

14th January 2015 - 10 MILLION ANNUAL VISITS TO PUBLIC POOLS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

3rd January 2015 - UPDATED FRANCHISE INDUSTRY CODE OF CONDUCT NOW IN FORCE

31st December 2014 - OUR TOP STORIES OF 2014

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