Aligned Leisure has introduced a new swimming program at Cardinia Life – the Royal Life Saving Australia’s Swim and Survive program. The program features three tiers and seeks to increase the swimming and water safety skills of all Australian children. The Wonder (6-36 months), Courage (3-5 years) and Active (5-14 years) programs reflect the hopes and aspirations of children as they embark on a lifetime of fun and safety in the water. Each program is structured into skill strands that ensure a balanced, comprehensive instructional approach to a child’s aquatic education. Since its inception over thirty years ago, over 15 million Australian children have participated in the Swim and Survive program. Swim and Survive has made a significant contribution in many families lives by reducing the rate of drowning in children aged 5-14 years by over 75 per cent. The centre went through a comprehensive registration and safety audit process to become a Swim and Survive Partner.

September marks the launch of the new Cardinia Leisure website. The new site is now home for all Cardinia Shire major recreational facilities. This website provides information on aquatics, fitness, sport and a range of other leisure services. It is designed to work seamlessly across desktop, tablet and mobile devices and provide quick access to information like sports fixtures and fitness timetables. Soon, members of the facilities will be able to log in and manage their membership accounts online and view live court and lap lane availability. Cardinia Leisure is how we refer to the group of facilities which include Cardinia Life, Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre, Officer Community Hub, IYU Recreation Reserve Synthetic Soccer Pitch and the four seasonal outdoor pools. Cardinia Leisure facilities are managed by Aligned Leisure in partnership with Cardinia Shire Council since July 2016.

Aligned Leisure is committed to working with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and the Shire of Cardinia, to help protect children from the devastating effects of violence and bullying. It was a commitment made to the local community when Aligned Leisure successfully tendered to manage the Shire of Cardinia's major recreational facilities. Aligned Leisure is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club, whose preferred charity partner is the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. This partnership has enabled Aligned Leisure to offer to fund the establishment of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation's Better Buddy framework into every primary school in the region. At present, 22 of the shire's 31 primary and combined schools have adopted the program. If the remaining nine schools adopt it, the Shire of Cardinia will be the only region in Victoria that has the program in every primary or combined school. Aligned Leisure took over management of Cardinia Life and seven other major health and recreational facilities on July 1. Whilst it prides itself on running world-class leisure facilities, Aligned Leisure has also shown its commitment to enriching lives within the Cardinia community. We want to genuinely support and strengthen the communities in which we operate and the development of Aligned Leisure provides us with a great opportunity to do that, Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said. We place enormous value in our partnership with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. It does brilliant work supporting children across the country and we are pleased to have been able to help them build a significant presence in the Shire of Cardinia. The Alannah & Madeline Foundation CEO Lesley Podesta said the Better Buddies framework supported children in their first year of Primary School through working with older students as role models. Better Buddies has been pivotal in preventing bullying in schools since its launch in 2000, Ms Podesta said. We are thrilled that Richmond Football Club and Aligned Leisure have committed to rolling out Better Buddies across the Shire of Cardinia.

Aligned Leisure now has the keys to the Shire of Cardinia's major recreational facilities. As part of the take-over, Aligned Leisure staged a major upgrade at the regions premier health and recreational facility, Cardinia Life. The centre was fitted with brand new state-of-the-art Precor equipment, that integrates Preva technology. Aligned Leisure Managing Director, Cain Liddle, said Shire of Cardinia residents now have access to world class health club equipment. Cardinia Life staff are always on hand to help our members and customers create a program that is personalised to their fitness goals, Liddle said. In addition we have more than 50 group fitness classes available each week, as well as a 25m lap pool available free to our members. As well as the reinvigorating the facility, Aligned Leisure has wiped joining fees and frozen membership prizes for 2016. There is no longer a minimum term contract and no better time to come in and try Cardinia Life.

Richmond has joined forces with Swinburne University of Technology to establish the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership. This unique program is aimed at developing the next generation of leaders within the sports industry and combines a Diploma of Sport Development with a Diploma of Leadership and Management. The Institute is located in the heart of Richmond, on Swan Street, and students will have access to a fully-equipped gymnasium with state-of-the-art equipment, a running track, altitude room and aquatic recovery area. Richmond will embed its high performance and administration expertise throughout the course – along with that of other elite sporting organisations and people – to provide a unique insight and learning opportunity for students. The Club is also in the unique position of being able to provide students demonstrating excellence, with potential employment opportunities not only at the Richmond Football Club, but also at Aligned Leisure. Aligned Leisure is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club that recently successfully tendered to run eight major aquatic and recreation facilities in the Shire of Cardinia and currently employs almost 200 staff members. “The establishment of the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership is a bold and innovative step for our football club and aligns with one of the key strategic priorities of the Board which is to diversify our revenue streams,” Richmond president Peggy O’Neal said. “We are thrilled to be in a position to deliver this opportunity in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology, one of the country’s most respected educational institutions.” Swinburne Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Jennelle Kyd, says the partnership with Richmond Football Club would enable more athletes to gain tertiary qualifications. “We’re excited to be working with a professional sporting club to deliver high-quality training programs,” Professor Kyd said. “Swinburne is a world-ranked university leading the way in innovation, industry engagement and social inclusion. “This new endeavour with the Richmond Football Club will create opportunities for individuals looking to pursue careers in the sport industry.” In addition to potential employment outcomes with Aligned Leisure and the Richmond Football Club, students from the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership will be guaranteed entry into any Swinburne University undergraduate business course, after successful completion of the double diploma. The Institute is holding a series of open days for prospective students to experience what the program is about. The open days will be held at the Richmond Football Club, Punt Road Oval on Friday, September 23 and Thursday, September 29. There are two sessions available each day at 10:30am and 2pm. To register interest or find out more about the program, click here.

Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre held their first “Free Tennis Day” under Aligned Leisure management. Over 200 people attended the Free Tennis Day, participating in a variety of activities throughout the 18 court facility. Activities included ANZ Hotshots coaching and challenges, children activities and games, speed serve challenge, free court hire, competitions and plenty more. Aligned Leisure Head of Tennis David Price said “it was a great day out for the family, with lots to see and do. It’s a great pleasure of ours to be able to open the doors of the Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre for free, one of the state’s premier tennis facilities.” Please keep updated with our Newsletters and Facebook page for frequent updates. https://www.facebook.com/PakenhamRegionalTennisCentre/   Competition winners 1ST Prize – Full Access Family Membership (valued at $400) - BROOKE PHILLIPS 2nd Prize – Prince Textreme Tour 100P Racquet (valued at $200) - SAM RUSSELL 3rd Prize – 60 Minute Private Tennis Lesson (Valued at $60) – ROSINA INVERNO Colouring Competition Winners - Jack (Aged 6) - Alexandra (Aged 10)  

Experience Cardinia’s premier health and recreational facility, Cardinia Life, this spring with a free 10-day trial. The centre is offering the free trial during the month of September 2016, which includes access to the health club, swimming pools and group fitness classes. Contact Cardinia Life to take up the 10 day free trial Cardinia Life has also announced extended opening hours, giving members and guests more time to achieve their fitness goals. The centre’s health club will now be open until 10pm weeknights. Cardinia Life General Manager, Shane Dunne, said professionally trained staff were on hand to assist members and guests. “We’ve staged a major upgrade of the health club at Cardinia Life, with members and guests now having access to state-of-the-art Precor fitness equipment,” Dunne said. “It is fully integrated with Preva technology, which allows users to track their fitness progress simply by swiping their membership bands on the cardio equipment.” “Our staff have been fully trained in this technology to help our members achieve their fitness goals.” Cardinia Life has no minimum term contracts or joining fees and gym memberships come with free access to the centre’s 25 metre swimming pool, warm water pool and toddler play pool. “With summer just around the corner, there is no better time to come in and try Cardinia Life,” Dunne said. “We offer group fitness classes to suit all levels, from beginners to advanced, every day of the week.” “New basketball, floorball and netball seasons kick off this spring. Get together with mates and start a team or join one of our local clubs.”