The Power of Connection: Learning From Our Sector, Here and Abroad

By Richard Lindsay·Nov 2025·4 min read

There is something special about our sector. The willingness for people to come together and share knowledge helps us all learn and grow. This was my last appointment of a couple of weeks of exploration, and it did not disappoint.

I had a wonderful afternoon reconnecting with Duncan Wood-Allum from SLC - transforming public leisure services on all things relating to Active Wellbeing. I first met Duncan at a Recreation Aotearoa National Conference in Hastings and we have stayed in touch since. It was lovely to also meet Dom Hudson and James Mazarelo (and Toby online) from SLC to hear what they are doing to challenge the status quo. There are so many similarities in relation to the challenges facing the sector, but we may be approaching them differently.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue this conversation and also discuss with key clients how we may be able to learn a thing or two from those in the UK.

Thanks for sharing, Team SLC.

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