with the right management, marketing and skill the Fire Fitness brand has a place in Australia, as its business model is attractive for a start-up sole operator who can launch with one modality - or for the more experienced business owner who can launch with three. Fire encompasses your cardio HIIT, cycle, boxing and wellbeing formulas. With studio fitness locations ideal for sole operators and COVID-19 highlighting the need for support, better digital and marketing opportunities and business systems, many are now moving across to recognised and newly established foreign brands. In addition, new suppliers in the market who are set to exhibit at the highly anticipated FITNESS + WELLNESS AUSTRALIA trade show - now scheduled for March next year - include Terra Core, Terra Glide and the COBA Board. With 2020 having witnessed a soar in virtual programming, all three products allow for take home equipment purchase and online classes as well as in club timetabled classes. With group programming during lockdown periods keeping a vast majority of clubs and trainers heads above water, more clubs are now seeking hybrid solutions that enhance at home and in-house experiences, the COBA Board delivers all. Those seeking out the Australia fitness culture also include newly formed business consulting agency and event holders, Active Entities launched in the USA through the COVID crisis who saw a gap in the industry as club doors closed with no industry support available. And while traditionally the Australian fitness industry has looked at the US market for upcoming brands and trends, let’s not forget some new innovative home brands that are launching well into the marketplace, new young franchise group such as Fitstop are now working with Lift Brands. Sydney brand Infinite Cycle franchise has opened new studios in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra while the Belgravia Group is set to launch new wellness studios and a Reformer Pilates studio business in competition with the new FS8 wellness brand owned by F45. There is no doubt that Australia is the location for those wanting to expand their business on an international scale and there is no shortage of buyers for new innovative brands. Consumers want different and these brands will deliver. Mel Tempest is the owner of the Ballarat Body & Soul Genesis 24/7 gym and an acknowledged industry leader and speaker. In 2017 she was the first Australian recipient of a scholarship from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) to attend the IHRSA Institute at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
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Dean Boxall named Australian Age and Youth Coach of the Year at ASCTA Awards Celebrated St Peters Western, Queensland Head Coach Dean Boxall ‘virtually scooped the pool’ at the recent Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) Awards. Boxall, who continued his long list of award achievements after being named the back-to-back Age Coach of the Year and Youth Coach of the Year following the 2021 Australian Age Group Championships on the Gold Coast in April. The Awards, presented at ASCTA’s Virtual Awards Night in its 50th Anniversary Year, saw Boxall - the 2019 Australian Coach of the Year - recognise his coaching staff of Maxine Seear, Richard Sleight and Stuart Melton. As coach of swimmer Ariarne Titmus, Boxall’s reaction to her winning gold in the 400m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was widely commented on. ASCTA also bestowed its highest honour of Life Membership to pioneering Victorian coach Peter Ruddock and its former Chief Executive, the late Michael Ursu.
Advertising executive appointed new Chair for the Australia Council Robert Morgan, Executive Chairman of advertising agency the Clemenger Group, and former Sydney Swans and Opera Australia Director. has been appointed as the new Chair of the Australia Council for a three-year term. Morgan takes over from outgoing chair Sam Walsh who has spent five years leading the organisation.
New Supreme Heating appointments look to drive business growth Supreme Heating, specialists in the design and installation of innovative, energy efficient pool heating solutions, have announced the appointments of Anthony Denahy, Bianca Horewood and Shannon Wong in roles to drive the expansion of the business. Horewood joins the company as Marketing Coordinator, Denahy joins as Business Development Manager - Victoria and Wong has been hired as Business Development Manager Western Australia.
Ross Dowling named Emeritus Professor of Tourism at Edith Cowan University Tourism educator Ross Dowling (pictured at right) has been named Emeritus Professor of Tourism at Edith Cowan University. The award, has been given in recognition of distinguished academic contribution and leadership in tourism for more than two decades, as well as his contributions to geotourism, ecotourism and cruise ship tourism in Australia and internationally. Dowling is the Foundation Professor of Tourism in ECU’s School of Business and Law. Australasian Leisure Management Issue 145 59
