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Grant began his football career at the St Kilda Football Club in the VFL, debuting in 1978. He played 72 games for the Saints between 1978 and 1983 before briefly moving to North Melbourne in 1984, and finishing his career at Fitzroy in 1985. Following his retirement from the VFL he moved to become the playing coach of Warrnambool in 1986 where he won four premierships with the club in just five seasons until 1990. |
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After his retirement from playing, Grant coached Old Xaverians in the VAFA in 1992 and was the chairman of selectors at the Nth Melb in 1993 under Dennis Pagan. In 1994 he was an assistant coach at St Kilda under Stan Alves before moving on to pursue various business ventures. With his experience in the business world, Grant took a new philosophy and style of coaching to the St Kilda Football Club when he was appointed caretaker coach of the club in 2001 and then as full-time coach until 2006 which was characterised by using phases such as "processes" and "outcomes". These terms are used now almost universally used by all coaches. In this new role he coached St Kilda to consecutive preliminary finals in 2004 and 2005 plus a Wizard Cup premiership in 2004, maintaining an impressive win-loss record against some of league's most highly rated coaches. Grant is only the second coach to coach St Kilda to three straight finals series. The other was Allan Jeans, St Kilda's 1966 premiership coach. Grant has also worked extensively in print and television media and radio since leaving St Kilda, whilst pursuing his business interests. |
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World Aerobics Champion
Sue Stanley began stealing gold medals on the international stage, early in 1993.
Sue’s successive wins of the World Cup Aerobic Championship in Japan made her the only woman in the history of the sport to ever successfully defend a World Title. Sue’s amazing sporting achievements soared to an unparalleled level with her win in the 1994 World Aerobic Championships in Las Vegas. Her dream of becoming the only aerobic athlete to win three World Championships became a reality.
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So dominant was Sue Stanley in the sport of Competitive Aerobics that she was undefeated both at a national and international level for 4 years. Amassing an amazing 35 consecutive wins, for 3 World Championship titles, numerous international titles and 9 consecutive Australian and national championships.
Without doubt, Sue Stanley is the queen of her sport.
But Sue is not just an Aerobic star. Sue Stanley is one of those unique individuals who have been able to represent her country at the highest level, in four different sports. As a child Sue began her sporting career at the Australian Institute of Sport in the Australian gymnastic team, the versatile Sue then turned her eye to the sport of water-skiing and was able to represent Australia at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Then in November 2000, competing for the first time in the, Olympia World Championship - Sue Stanley after a five-year retirement from all international competition, stunned the sporting world by winning Gold and achieving the title of Ms. Fitness World Champion 2000. As a twenty-year-old, Sue satisfied another long time ambition by opening her first Health Club. Today Sue is the Director of ‘Fitcorp’, one of the leading corporate fitness companies in Australia. A company dedicated to improving the health and well being of the executive staff of some of the largest corporations in the country. Sue was the founder of systemstanley.com, which was recognised as one of the premier health, fitness and well being websites in the world and has now just release your own line of clothing Sue Stanley Apparel available online at www.suestanley.com.au. As an author, Sue released her second book titled, ‘Fitness Forever’, with already over 40,000 copies sold, was an editor of one of the countries largest selling women’s fitness magazine and writes a weekly full page fitness column in the Herald Sun newspaper. Sue Stanley also promotes health and fitness through her weekly top-rating radio segment on radio station 3AW Melbourne with Ernie Sigley and the Go For Your Life TV Show on Channel 7. Sue has now turned her attention to encouraging Australians of all ages to take care of themselves and enjoy life to the fullest. As a firm believer in the ‘sport for all’ principle, her immediate aim is to utilise her current celebrity status and profile to deliver motivating, basic health and fitness messages to a broad cross section of the community – reaching people who may otherwise not be inclined to participate. Sue has appeared in television campaigns and dedicates endless hours to charity and fundraising events and travels worldwide as a motivational speaker at corporate conferences. Sue is considered one of the leading Australian women in sport; a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, an Australia Day Ambassador, and is the recipient of the Advance Australia Award for her contribution to sport. Whilst Sue Stanley is an astute businesswoman and a tough competitor, she has a warmth, a sense of humour and a generous nature. She is a terrific ambassador for our country and there is no doubt that she is destined for a challenging future as a role model for healthier living to all people of all ages throughout the world. |
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Premier One Training
Jenni Sullivan, CEO of Premier One Training has worked in the Leisure Industry both in the UK and Australia for over 20 years. In her time she has worked as a Sports Development Manager for a number of Local Authorities as well as consultation work with the English Sports Council. |
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Part of her time was spent in the Private Sector with International chains like Virgin Active and Holmes Place Health Clubs both as a General Manager and Regional Manager.
Her specialisation is Training in areas around Sales, Corporate Marketing and Retention and most recently delivering modules to Fernwood Women's Health Clubs across Australia. Jenni has had the enviable pleasure of working with a number of high profile Sports People including Keiran Bracken, Duncan Goodhugh and Seb Coe, on a range of events including the London Marathon and the London Youth Games. Her personal goals are to Walk the Great Wall of China, Sky Dive out of a Plane and visit Mach Chu Pichu. |
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State Sport Centres Trust
Adam Luscombe has been working with the State Sport Centres Trust for seven years. He has worked in the role of General Manager of Sports Venues for three years and before that was the Aquatics Manager for four years. In this time he has overseen the development of MSAC Stage 2 Pool and has aided the Trust in running Commonwealth Games, World Swim Championships, the ABN Champions Trophy for Hockey and the NBL Tigers and Dragons Games.
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His understanding of running sports facilities both ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ is underpinned by a strong competitive swimming and coaching background (1996 recipient of the Australian Sports Commission Coaching Scholarship and 2004 Paralympics Team Manager) and his academic career. He holds an MBA majoring in Law and Human Resources as well as a Bachelor of Education.
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Inspirational Coaching
Margaret has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Sociology, a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Development and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Her commitment is to supporting and nurturing people to achieve their full potential whilst enjoying the journey of discovery and learning. With 15 years experience as a learning and development facilitator, Margaret had developed teams and managers in the public service, call centres and retail.
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Margaret’s passion for training is evident in her ability to create a learning environment that is fun, challenging and nurturing. She believes it is important for people to enjoy the process of learning to add value not only to their working lives but also to them personally.
Margaret is a licensed FISH ™ Facilitator and has been working with the philosophy for some years. She is incredibly passionate about the opportunity FISH! creates for organisations to create change and release the true potential of both individuals and teams.
Margaret’s past work has included working for The Body Shop Australia, where she was able to combine a strong commitment to ethics along with an emphasis on stakeholder fulfilment. A quote that has always inspired and guided Margaret’s work ethic is to “Be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi
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Creative Fitness and Marketing
Emmett Williams is a director of 3 brands in the industry: Creative Fitness Marketing which is an international marketing firm, Blue Fitness which imports, distributes & services equipment brands such as Star Trac, Woodway & Hoist commercial gym equipment, and Feelgood Fitness which is a chain of independent clubs.
Emmett has experience working within the fitness industry in the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and of course here in Australia. Emmett currently sits on the regional council of Fitness Australia, and is committed to growing the industry focusing on the 2 main drivers - Vanity & Good Health.
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City of Banyule
Thomas Zappulla has worked in the leisure industry in management roles for eight years. He has also completed in Undergraduate Degree in Recreation & Sports Management at Victoria University, and most recently completed his Masters in Sports Business at Latrobe University. Tom was the Assistant Manager (2IC) at Banyule Leisure Facility Management (BLFM) for five years. His role included managing BLFM’s four leisure centres, predominantly the Banyule Netball Stadium.
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As of 2010, Tom has been working with the project management team on the development of the Greensborough Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre.
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New Level Personal Training
Travis Bell’s personal mission is to create great fitness leaders who can in turn help heaps of clients. He is passionate about raising the professional standards of the personal training industry. He has had a hand in doing this by founding the successful chain of New Level Personal Training Studios across Australia.
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Travis has also presented to thousands of other trainers and has business coached hundreds more in his role as an Australian Institute of Fitness, Australian Institute of Personal Trainers and Victoria University presenter.
Travis is a sought-after health and motivation speaker and is a proud member of the Fitness Australia Victorian Regional Industry Council.
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Aquatics & Recreation Victoria
Cindy is a Project Manager for Aquatics and Recreation Victoria and has overseen various projects aimed at increasing the health promoting capacity of facilities and staff over the past two and a half years. Cindy has completed a Bachelor of Health Science, Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy and a Masters Degree in Health Promotion specialising in Obesity Prevention.
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Having over 12 years experience working in the aquatic and recreation industry she see’s the strong influence that aquatic and recreation facilities and staff can have on the physical and social health of the local community. In this session, Cindy will speak to you about the Inclusive Leisure Initiative and provide some insight into steps that can be taken at all levels within facilities to be inclusive of all members of the community.
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Transition Concepts
Paul Dunn has over 25 years experience working in a range of community and human services settings including State and Local Government, large and small NGOs, and academic settings.
A key focus of Paul’s work has been the development of new and innovative approaches to service development to improve community access and inclusion for people with disabilities and people living with mental illness.
Paul has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Monash University and has worked in a number of academic and post graduate teaching contexts. This includes positions at TAFE and at Deakin University in Disability Studies and RMIT in Social Policy.
From 2000 to 2007, Paul led a major change process within the Department of Human Services through the introduction of a community building framework in Disability Services. This has included the development of the RuralAccess and MetroAccess programs in conjunction with Local Government, and support for new community building teams in regional DHS offices.
Paul is currently working as a consultant with his business, Transition Concepts.
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City of Monash
Simon Bryson has broad experience in the aquatic and health and fitness sector. In his young career he has worked his way up from a facility cleaner through to a facility manager.
Today he finds himself as the Centre Manager of the Oakleigh Recreation Centre for the City of Monash.
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Suspension Training Systems
Danny Kennedy has been a fitness instructor, manager, owner and personal trainer since 1984. Currently he owns and runs Kennedys’ Personal Training Studio in Patterson Lakes in Melbourne which he has had for 11 years.
Danny was the first TRX Distributor in Australia approximately four years ago and has conducted Suspension Training courses around Australia educating trainers in that time. |
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Life Saving Victoria
Katherine has been involved in the aquatic industry for over 11 years and is currently the Coordinator of Education Services at Life Saving Victoria.
Katherine’s primary role sees her coordinating the Swim and Survive program for over 200 Licensee’s, along with many other water safety education programs including; Open Water Learning Experience, Meet a Lifeguard, Resuscitate a Mate, and Beach programs.
Katherine’s aquatic experiences include the management of a large swim school in NSW as well as ongoing instruction of all levels of learn-to-swim and squad.
Katherine has had numerous experiences with scenarios common to many swim schools, and this session is aimed at arming you with strategies to overcome and diffuse any potential conflict situation.
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Life Saving Victoria
Brooke Irvine has been involved in the aquatic industry for the past 11 years, starting her career in aquatics as a pool lifeguard. Brooke is currently working for Life Saving Victoria as the General Manager Education and Training where she manages the development of lifesaving training and education programs for the aquatic industry and the general community.
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Aquatics & Recreation Victoria
Sharon Brasher is the Industry Services Manager at Aquatics & Recreation Victoria. Sharon currently manages Water Safety Week, a major initiative of the Play it Safe by the Water campaign, the ARV Industry Conference and Victorian Aquatic and Recreation Awards and several other industry projects including Watch Around Water.
Sharon has completed a Bachelor of Education (Physical Education) with Honours and a Master of Business (Sport Management).
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Life Saving Victoria
Sarah Grace is the Research Assistant for Life Saving Victoria. Her role involves several different research projects that are continually expanding to meet the needs of current issues in preventing aquatic related injury and death within Victoria. These include literature reviews, program evalutation and health promotion activities. Prior to commencing work with Life Saving Victoria in 2010, Sarah completed a BSc at the University of Wollongong with a major study area of Population Health in 2009.
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Water Exercise Training Services
Through the power of water Jennifer Schembri-Portelli has created an unparalleled career in the fitness and aquatic industries. As aqua instructor, lecturer for the WETS Aqua Instructor Course and director of a boutique aquatic company, award-winning JSP has entertained, enlightened and trained people for the past two decades. Her accomplishments as a leader, mentor and down to earth teaching approach have established her as one of the most respected industry gurus!
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Monash Sport
Brett Lavale is the Group Manager for Monash Sport (Monash University) and currently oversees sport, leisure and recreation operations across all of the University’s six Victorian campuses, including one of Melbourne’s largest sport precincts at Clayton campus.
Brett has a wealth of experience at Centre Management roles including Harold Holt Swim Centre, Aqualink Nunawading, Melton Waves and Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Brett’s passion is for developing high performing teams which achieve quality outcomes. Brett is also drawing upon his strategic planning background to manage a number of master planning processes and capital developments for sport, leisure and recreation precincts on Monash University campuses. Brett is currently completing a Master of Management postgraduate degree at Monash University. |
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YMCA Victoria
Nada has been working in the fitness industry for 18 years. Her experience extends internationally where she joined Multitrax UK - recruiting, training and up-skilling fitness professionals from around the globe. In addition to her time spent worldwide, Nada continued to provide her services presenting at fitness conventions and judging competitive aerobics for FISAF. Her involvement with competitive aerobics continues today.
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Nada’s extensive experience within the leisure and recreational services industry continues today. Her role as the Health & Fitness Manager of the Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre led her to playing an instrumental role in managing the Oakleigh Recreation Centre that involved a $10 million aquatic re-development.
Nada recently joined the YMCA where she is now the Area Manager with the Moonee Valley municipality overseeing Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, East Keilor Leisure Centre, Queens Park Pool and Cooper Street Community Centre. With this experience, Nada is committed to establishing a high level of proficiency within the fitness industry.
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Facilitator
Janelle has worked in the aquatics industry for 15 years since becoming an aquatic education teacher at 17. Starting the first part of her aquatics career within the private swim school industry she has more recently worked with the Victorian YMCA. For the past nine years Janelle has been Aquatics Director at centres such as Casey ARC, Dandenong Oasis and is now based at Casey RACE.
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Western Bulldogs
Kiemi Lai is currently employed by the Western Bulldogs Football Club as its Engaged Communities Manager. Prior to taking this role, she has worked with Cricket Victoria as a development officer and by the AFL as one of their first three Multicultural Development Officers. Since the Western Bulldogs received its first Settlement Grants Program tender from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship in 2007, she has been employed by the Western Bulldogs to develop a broader community engagement strategy for newly arrived refugees and broader multicultural communities in the West.
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Through the Club’s community arm, SpiritWest Services, the Western Bulldogs work closely with other sporting bodies at local, state and national level to deliver a wide range of sporting programs for newly arrived refugees and people with low English proficiency to assist them with their settlement in Australia.
These sports have included Australian football and umpiring, athletics, cricket, swimming / surf-lifesaving, badminton, cycling, soccer, basketball, water polo, tennis and lawn bowls. Kiemi completed the AUSTSWIM course in September 2009 with some of the refugee young people in the Western Refugees Aquatic Program.
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Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Gail has worked for the YMCA for 19 years. She has been involved in aquatic education teaching, coordinating the Access Program and is currently the Aquatic Director of the Northcote YMCA. She has a dedicated passion for the special needs community. H er contribution towards creating and implementing communication aides and coordinating the access program is testament to this. Furthermore, Gail has been the worthy recipient of many prestigious awards for her motivated passion throughout the years.
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Water Exercise Training Services
Anke graduated with a Diploma of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin. She has been interested in dancing since early childhood, but it wasn’t until she lived with her family in different Asian countries that she started to explore yoga and Thai Chi. In New Delhi she fell in love with aqua fitness, and once she returned back to Germany she became a certified Aqua Fitness and Pilates Instructor and taught in different health clubs throughout Germany. Her interest in body and mind led her to become yoga and laughing yoga instructor too.
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Anke now lives with her family in Melbourne where she teaches as a certified Pilates Practitioner in a studio, and of course she still loves to teach aqua fitness. At the moment she is currently undertaking a Bowen therapy course.
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Water Exercise Training Services
Simone has been working in the aquatic industry for almost 20 years, half that time owning her own swim school business (Seal Swim School) in Wodonga since being married. She began taking aqua aerobics classes 8 years ago with a couple of years off while having her two children.
Simone has since been newly enthused by taking on Aqua Zumba which has refreshed her enthusiasm for taking aqua classes.
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Facilitator
Julia is the Swim School Manager at Aquastar, Moorabbin where she has been since July this year. Prior to this she owned and operated her own swim school. She has been teaching swimming for almost 25 years and has a wealth of knowledge and information to share. She trained as a Phys Ed teacher in the UK and came to Australia ten years ago where she fulfilled her dream and bought a swim school.
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She is passionate about the grass roots of swimming believing that without little gumnuts there will never be big gum trees. She likes to think outside the square with innovative teaching ideas and practices and still gets teary when the small people master their challenges.
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Facilitator
Nic has an extensive background in competitive swimming as an Australian Swim Representative, a team manager, and coach. He continues to manage Australian teams, coaches swimmers and is currently General Manager of Bayside Swim Club.
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Water Exercise Training Services
As an instructor, training facilitator and member of the WETS team, Melissa is passionate about aquatic exercise and the possibilities it presents.
Through her work with the Water Exercise Training Service Melissa aims to bring youthful energy, innovation and inspiration to both the aqua arena and fitness industry. |