2026 ASSA Swimposium - VIC
Description
ASSA Swimposium 2026 | Victoria
This is Swimposium Victoria. One day at MSAC in Melbourne, built for the people who run, manage and teach in Victorian swim schools.
What's on the day:
The Parent Conversation, delivered twice from two different angles, with Lauren Swaby and Brad Vella
Nikiesha Pilgrim on teaching neurodivergent swimmers
Alena Sarri on the babies program
Estela Micallef of AQUA Schools on the Why SAFERwater Warriors framework powered by Rheem
Natalie Pedler on the adult learn-to-swim opportunity
Working With Others, ASSA's swim school personality model with Luke Daly
Barb Smith on accountability inside your business
Bring your team. The whole point is that everyone walks out with something useful.
Affordable. Accessible. Awesome.
The industry is evolving—make sure you’re part of it. Register now!
Lineup
Luke Daly
CEO, Australian Swim Schools Association Luke Daly is CEO of the Australian Swim Schools Association. He leads ASSA's strategy, advocacy and industry development work and runs the association's national content program. At Swimposium, Luke opens the day, walks the room through ASSA's flagship Working With Others session, and presents the Why SAFERwater Warriors framework powered by Rheem.
Lauren Swaby
VIC Swim School Operator Lauren Swaby is a Victorian-based swim school operator and teacher development specialist. She leads The Parent Conversation at the Victorian Swimposium with a practical, classroom-ready take on family communication.
Nikiesha Pilgrim
Prouse Swim School | VIC State Swim Teacher of the Year Nikiesha Pilgrim is a swim teacher at Prouse Swim School in Victoria and was named Victoria's State Swim Teacher of the Year at the ASSA national conference for her work supporting neurodivergent swimmers. She's a mum of three, manages Goroke Pool over summer, and brings particular depth on sensory regulation, anxiety in the water, and the practical adaptations that help nervous and neurodivergent kids learn.
Alena Sarri
Co-founder & Owner, Aquatots Swim School Canberra Alena Sarri is the co-founder and owner of Aquatots Swim School, the family-owned Canberra operation she's been running since 2002. Aquatots was the first swim school in Australia to launch an aquatic program for babies from six weeks, and Alena now leads a team across four ACT locations. She brings that double specialism in babies and water safety to Swimposium to lead Starting Small and to deliver Why SAFERwater Warriors in selected regions.
Estela Micallef
AQUA Schools, Victoria Estela Micallef leads AQUA Schools in Victoria. She brings the AQUA Schools approach to the Why SAFERwater Warriors session at the Victorian Swimposium, sharing what proper water safety education looks like when it's built into the bones of a swim school.
Natalie Pedler
Adult Learn-to-Swim Specialist Natalie Pedler is an industry voice on adult learn-to-swim and one of the people pushing the sector to take adult education more seriously. At Swimposium she presents The Adults Want In, a session for operators on how to design adult programs that actually retain and how to find the people in your community who are quietly waiting to enrol.
Barb Smith
ASSA Subject Matter Expert Barb Smith is a respected ASSA subject matter expert and long-standing voice in the Australian swim school industry. Her work centres on engaging swimmers through rich language, varied teaching cues and the small in-class moments that turn a good lesson into a great one. At Swimposium she presents See It, Own It, Solve It, her no-nonsense framework for accountability inside a swim school business.
Agenda
State of Play with Luke Daly
A short opener on where the industry is heading and what ASSA is working on this year.
The Parent Conversation with Lauren Swaby
A practical framework for managing parental expectations.
Teaching Neurodivergent Swimmers with Nikiesha Pilgrim
Adapting your teaching for kids who don't fit the standard mould.
Starting Small with Alena Sarri
What good baby program design actually looks like.
Why SAFERwater Warriors with Estela Micallef, AQUA Schools — Powered by Rheem
Putting proper substance behind your water safety promise.
The Adults Want In with Natalie Pedler
Designing adult programs that actually retain.
Working With Others with Luke Daly
ASSA's personality model built specifically for swim school teams.
See It, Own It, Solve It with Barb Smith
A no-nonsense framework for accountability inside your business.
The Parent Conversation with Brad Vella
A second angle on family communication, with a different style and the same goal.
FAQs
- What time does the day start and finish?
Doors open from 8:30am for arrival and coffee. Sessions begin promptly at 9:00am and the day wraps at 3:30pm.
- Is morning tea and lunch included?
Yes. Morning tea and a sit-down lunch are included in your ticket. Please flag any dietary requirements at checkout so we can pass them on to the venue.
- Can I bring my whole team?
Absolutely, and we'd encourage it. Swimposium is built for swim school teams to attend together. Use our group pricing where available and check with us if you're bringing a larger crew.
- Will I get the slides or session notes after the event?
Yes. Attendees receive a follow-up pack after the day with session summaries, key resources and any handouts from the presenters.
- What should I wear?
Smart casual. You won't be on the pool deck on the day, so no need for swimwear or polos. Dress for a comfortable day of learning.
- Is parking available at the venue?
Entry to Lakeside Stadium marked on map (doors marked with State Sports Centres/South Melbourne Football Club) – event will be on first floor with stairs and lift available.
All day flat rate parking available in MSAC multi-story and stadium car parks (highlighted in yellow) with 2min walk across to Lakeside Stadium.
Parks Victoria hourly ticketed parking available out front of Lakeside Stadium - slightly cheaper but inspectors are around
Reception at MSAC will be aware of the booking and know to direct anyone asking over to Lakeside.
All attendees can park in the MSAC parking and have their ticket validated before heading off
- What's your refund and transfer policy?
Tickets are non-refundable but fully transferrable. If you can't make it, you're welcome to send a colleague in your place. Just let us know in advance so we can update the attendee list.
- Who do I contact if I have questions?
Email admin@australianswimschools.org.au or call the ASSA office. We're happy to help.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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