Belgravia Leisure awarded four ARI awards for innovation, inclusion, safety and community impact

Belgravia Leisure’s teams, venues and initiatives have been recognised at the 2026 Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) New South Wales Awards of Excellence, taking home four prestigious accolades for driving excellence in aquatics and recreation.

The MOVE IT CANBERRA! campaign in the Australian Capital Territory was awarded for Marketing & Communications, Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre won the Diversity & Inclusion Award, Belgravia Leisure’s Safe Holds & Supportive Techniques program was awarded for Safety & Innovation and City of Sydney venues were awarded the Innovation & Technology Award for the Online Lane Availability initiative.

Valued New South Wales contract partner Inverell Council also took home top honours on awards night, securing Regional Facility of the Year on behalf of Inverell Aquatic Centre, thanking Belgravia Leisure for their continued partnership, operational and venue support.

While four NSW and ACT initiatives and teams received awards, over 20 finalists received shortlist recognitions among esteemed peers in the aquatics and recreation industry, reinforcing a state-wide commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences, safety and leadership.

The achievements reflect Belgravia Leisure’s continued focus on creating welcoming, inclusive and accessible experiences that help communities stay active, connected and healthy.

Penny Evans, Chief Marketing Officer Belgravia Leisure said the MOVE IT CANBERRA! campaign, now in its third year, is only improving over time.
“This innovative and inclusive campaign has encouraged an entire city to come together in support of staying healthy and active.
“We’re thrilled to see this result in over 100,000 minutes of exercise logged by Canberrans at Belgravia Leisure ACT venues in 2026.”

The Marketing & Communications award win marks the second award recognition for the MOVE IT CANBERRA! campaign, which previously secured the Marketing and Communications Award at the 2025 Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards.

Celebrating teams helping communities live well

Finalist NSW venues included Liverpool’s Michael Wenden Aquatic Leisure Centre and Michael Clarke Recreation Centre, Wollondilly Leisure Centre, Dubbo Aquatic Centre, Inverell Aquatic Centre, Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, alongside ACT venues Stromlo Leisure Centre, Gungahlin Leisure Centre, and Dickson Pool.

Notably, eight individual finalists were announced this year with a fifth consecutive nomination in the Emerging Leader category, demonstrating a continued commitment to developing future leaders within the aquatic and recreation industry.

Belgravia Leisure’s General Manager Operations NSW/ACT Katherine Forman said:

“Seeing our venues, teams and leaders across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory recognised for delivering exceptional guest experiences and making a positive social impact whilst driving excellence across our operations is incredibly rewarding.”

Held at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park, the awards recognise outstanding initiatives, people and venues driving real impact in the aquatic and recreation industry.

The extensive list of nominations follows Belgravia Leisure’s recognitions at the 2025 ARI awards, where the organisation secured five award wins in celebration of helping more people lead active, healthy and connected lives.

Bernice Hay, Area Manager ACT, said:

“I am incredibly proud of our ACT teams who were nominated; it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work that is making a difference in our communities.

“I’m also deeply honoured to be an Award of Excellence finalist, and proud to be recognised alongside such outstanding leaders within the aquatic industry.”

2026 ARI Awards of Excellence finalists

Venue and program finalists:

ACT: Memorial Facility of the Year Award – Stromlo Leisure Centre
ACT: Customer Service Team Award– Gungahlin Leisure Centre
NSW: Seasonal Facility of the Year – Dubbo Aquatic Centre and Dickson Pool
NSW: Social Impact Award– Wollondilly Leisure Centre – Side by Side Employment and Michael Clarke Recreation Centre
NSW: Regional Facility of the Year– Inverell Aquatic Centre
NSW: Diversity & Inclusion Award– Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre
NSW: Innovation & Technology Award – City of Sydney, Online Lane Availability
NSW/ACT: Health Club of the Year– Michael Clarke Recreation Centre, Gungahlin Leisure Centre
NSW/ACT: Marketing & Communications Award – ACT’s ‘MOVE IT Canberra’ campaign and City of Sydney, ‘Swim + Gym for your School’
Safety & Innovation – Belgravia Leisure, Safe Holds & Supportive Techniques

Individual finalists:

ACT: Award of Excellence– Bernice Hay, Area Manager ACT
ACT: Emerging Leader Award – Luke Trindorfer, Operations Manager at Gungahlin Leisure Centre
ACT: Aqua Instructor of the Year Award – Kathy Jarvis, Gungahlin Leisure Centre
NSW/ACT: Lifeguard of the Year:
- Patrick Hua, Michael Wenden Aquatic Leisure Centre
- Emily Gardiner, Gungahlin Leisure Centre
NSW/ACT: Duty Manager of the Year:
- Hunter Harlor, Stromlo Leisure Centre
- Alex Beckerely Martin, Michael Wenden Aquatic Leisure Centre
- Wayne Groenweg, Dickson Pool