Nurturing Future Leaders
At AUSTSWIM, 42% of our Swim Teachers are between the ages of 16 and 26, just like Mikki.We are committed to nurturing young talent, and we were thrilled to have Mikki represent us at the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention | IAKS 2024 (NSC), the largest industry gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, held on 27-28 June 2024. Mikki Waaka, our Industry Support Services Lead, had the opportunity to attend this prestigious event thanks to the 'Future Leaders' scholarship sponsored by Royal Life Saving Australia. This scholarship aims to empower young leaders by immersing them in global thought leadership sessions, keynote speeches, debates, and workshops on a wide range of topics, including wet and dry sporting activities, sustainability, and community well-being.Reflecting on her experience, Mikki shared:"The NSC | IAKS 2024 conference was a fantastic opportunity to engage with top industry professionals and explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in sport. The theme, 'Inspire Innovation – Drive Participation,' led to stimulating discussions and provided valuable insights into the future of our industry.One of the highlights of the conference was hearing from Jim Ellis of Sport New Zealand, who shared the Maori proverb, 'Ka mua, ka muri,' meaning 'Walking backward into the future.' This resonated with me deeply, emphasising the importance of learning from our past—both successes and failures—to guide our future endeavours.The conference also offered numerous networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with industry experts and fellow young leaders. These connections are invaluable as I continue to develop my career.Overall, attending NSC | IAKS 2024 was both inspiring and educational. It enhanced my understanding of the sport and recreation industry, helped me build important industry connections, and contributed to the growth of my leadership skills. The knowledge and relationships gained will undoubtedly shape my career moving forward."
Mikki is pictured above in the middle of the front row with several industry leaders who attended the conference and is featured in the video below.
