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THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY

 
 
 

Author

Nigel Benton

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.

In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring for a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.

Modern Pentathlon Australia slams ‘false and misleading claims’ made by the Australian Multisport Federation

Modern Pentathlon Australia has released a statement to this title in relation to what it says are “false and misleading claims made by the Australian Multisport Federation (AMF)…

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Aug 12, 2025 Nigel Benton Recreation / Sport /

 
 

Legoland Shanghai releases visitation report from first month of operations

​Legoland Shanghai Resort has released a report on its first month of operations, showing that the attraction has prioritised visitor experience since its grand opening, with 70% of…

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Aug 11, 2025 Nigel Benton Attractions / Entertainment / Tourism /

 
 

Focus on management innovation and facility renewal at LIWA Aquatics 2025 conference

The 2025 LIWA Aquatics Conference has concluded in Perth with more than 480 attendees coming together to share ideas, learn from more than 50 expert presenters and see the latest products…

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Aug 9, 2025 Nigel Benton Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Wellness /

 
 

Indigenous group launches legal challenge to halt Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic stadium

A First Nations group has launched legal action to stop the construction of the main stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics being built on what it calls culturally significant…

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Aug 5, 2025 Nigel Benton Culture / Government / Legal / Sport / Venues /

 
 

New World Aquatics Bureau elected at General Congress in Singapore

Global swimming's national federations have voted to approve the new World Aquatics Bureau - the body that organises and controls all aquatics competitions at Olympic Games and World…

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Aug 2, 2025 Nigel Benton Aquatics / Sport /

 
 

Military clashes and civilian deaths prompt closure of all Cambodia Thailand border crossings

Escalating military clashes in a territorial dispute between south east Asian neighbours Thailand and Cambodia have seen the closure of all border crossings between the two nations and…

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Jul 25, 2025 Nigel Benton Government / Safety / Security / Tourism /

 
 

City of Playford unveils new vision for Elizabeth Oval

A long-term vision to transform the Elizabeth Oval in Adelaide’s north into an inclusive and community-focused sporting venue has been released, with City of Playford Council endorsing…

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Jul 25, 2025 Nigel Benton Recreation / Sport / Venues /

 
 
 
Nigel Benton - Australasian Leisure Management
 

search ausleisure

AusLeisure

THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY

 
 
 

Authors

Tatsuo Ogura

World Aquatics Correspondent

Tatsuo Ogura is an experienced communications designer with a demonstrated history of working in the sport industry.

Skilled in Japanese<>English, sports management, branding, public and media relations, he led the international communications and sports communications team at Tokyo 2020 OCOG.

Hel holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) focused in Sports Management from Indiana State University in the USA.

Steven Baxter

Founder and Chief Executive, Mandoe Media

Steven Baxter is an entrepreneur and the founder of Mandoe Media, a global leader in digital signage software. Prior to founding Mandoe Media, Baxter co-founded Venue Media, a digital signage company backed by Lachlan Murdoch.

After successfully selling the business to an outdoor media company in 2010, he began working on the innovative technology solutions that would come to define Mandoe Media’s market-leading presence.

Driven by the desire to fill a gap in the market, Baxter set out to create a digital signage service that was user-friendly, accessible to businesses of all sizes and empowered users to create visually stunning, engaging content with ease.

Today, Mandoe Media serves 10,000 customers worldwide and stands as a market leader in digital signage innovation.

Joanne Efendi

Project & Events Officer, SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia.

Joanne Efendi is Project & Events Officer at SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia.

Chris Maher

Managing Editor, SPLASH!

Chris Maher is a writer, editor, journalist and public affairs expert with extensive experience writing and consulting across a wide range of industries including building & architecture, travel & entertainment, banking & finance and information technology.

He has been published in most mainstream newspapers and many niche publications, and his travel writing is studied in Australian high schools.

He is a published author of three series of children's books. Among other roles, he is currently editor of SPLASH! magazine, and is working on another two children's books and novel.

Declan Gillard-Martin

Co-founder, LeisureSafe.

Declan Gillard-Martin is co-founder of LeisureSafe.

Adelaide-based Gillard-Martin has a solid industry background, holding a number of roles across the commercial and community aquatics industry - most recently with Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia, as General Manager Operations, and as Chief Executive of public safety-focused organisation, Quack Group.

A volunteer Surf Lifesaver, with a working career in local government, for facility manager BlueFit and the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Gillard-Martin also spent years as a high-performance swimmer and triathlete.

He was Brand Manager for Australasian Leisure Management/SPASA from June 2024 to June 2025.

Lindsay McGrath

Managing Director, Think Outside Group

A founding Director of several not-for-profit trade associations and one global alliance, McGrath advises "I enjoy adding value to the wider community. With experience at both board and executive levels, I bring a blend of efficient governance and commercial acumen to drive a strong growth mind set to any group.

"I have had the privilege to lead in the creation of several new trade qualifications across Australasia, and the unification of the federated regions to form one Swimming Pool and Spa Association."

Chief Executive of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association Australia (SPASA) from May 2016 to May 2025, he is currently Managing Director of the Think Outside Group.