.png)
Join Our New Stack Team App Group
- Tim Tucak
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC
Introduction of the Stack Teams App for internal two way communication
What are we doing?
Moving all our internal two-way Swanny communications to a single place: Stack Team App (not to be confused with Microsoft Teams or Slack). This means that all WhatsApp chats, private Facebook groups and other informal channels will be replaced with a single, searchable platform for Members to use to communicate with each other.
The Club’s public social media channels (Facebook/Instagram) will remain unaffected, this is purely for channels used for internal Club communications. The Swanny Shorebreak newsletter via email and the Club Website will remain the Club’s main one-way communication tools to Members.
How does Stack Team App (STA) work?
Stack Team App will host all of the Club’s two-way communication channels. Each Member can opt in to the groups that are relevant to them. Each group will have a chat, which can be muted and unmuted. Members can change their groups at any time.
Why are we doing it?
There are two reasons prompting the change:
1. Safety and inclusivity.
Club communications should be inclusive and safe for all Members, including those under 18. In late 2025, the Federal government introduced a social media ban for under 16s. Following the ban, SLSWA directed clubs to make their communications channels Child Safe (view the SLSA Staying Connected Safely guide here). Platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp were identified by SLSWA as vulnerable to misuse, as they can allow unmonitored 1:1 adult to child communication. SLSWA’s recommended platform is Stack Team App, which is used by over 1,800 Surf Life Saving groups across Australia. Swanny has also used it for the Swanny Ironman Series in 2019 and 2020.
2. Consolidation.
Currently our Members receive updates across Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and more. This has been investigated and discussed for multiple years, and is something every Club across the country struggles with. Even on Facebook, finding and keeping track of all the different Club groups is challenging for the Committee, let alone new Club members. There is no way to link groups so from one, you can find the others (there was briefly a way to add other groups to the about section, but this appears to have been quietly removed).
FAQ:
Why can’t we just continue to use existing channels and remove Youth Members/have their parents on it instead?
This is not inclusive as we have Junior PCs who will be unable to communicate with their patrols and many Youth in Officer positions. We have spent years building up our Youth to be an integral part of the Club, this change allows them to continue to do so in a safe manner.
What will happen to the old channels? What about all the Swanny history on there?
The existing channels/groups will be archived; they will still be viewable by existing Members but will not show up in searches or permit new posts/comments.
What if I don’t want another app?
Many of our current Members don’t use Facebook or WhatsApp (or only have them for Club communications).
Unlike WhatsApp, Stack Team App has a web application Members can log in to check messages as well, so those without smart phones/not wanting to download the app can still access the Club communication channels easily.
Members not wanting to use Stack Team App at all will still receive regular Club communications through the Swanny Shorebreak via email as well as checking the Club Website for updates.
When is it changing/time line:
From 2026/27 season – Facebook and WhatsApp groups to be archived from mid August 2026.
What do I need to do:
Go to https://www.teamapp.com/
Search Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC
Join any relevant access groups
Download App to smartphone
You can mute chats you don’t want to use all the time
• For parents/guardians
o For Junior Members (under 18), a parent or guardian must join first.
This ensures the child’s account is linked to their guardian for compliance with child-safe practices.
o Join yourself and your child, link accounts from a choice of two types of links
o You will be able to respond on their behalf with type 1 (Primary guardian),
o Or if they are old enough to have their own account, see their communications with type 2 (Non-primary guardian).
I need help in setting up my App
Come along to the Swanny Sundowner on Friday 14 August and our friendly Members will be there to assist you.
