ARI NSW announces 2024 Awards of Excellence finalists

The Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW has announced the finalists for its 2024 Awards of Excellence, with the list reflecting initiatives across the industry in the state.

Being held on Thursday 17th October 2024 at Waterview in Sydney’s Bicentennial Park the award presentation is expected to welcome nominees and stakeholders among an audience of more than 400.

Commenting on the program, the ARI advised in a statement that “congratulations to all of our award nominees.

“The ARI NSW received great nominations for all of our Award categories and choosing finalists is always difficult.”

Lifeguard of the Year Award - Sponsored by Lifeguarding Services Australia
Jennifer Murillo, Parramatta Aquatic Centre
Ella Fleming, Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre
Melissa Sweeney, East Maitland Aquatic Centre

Marketing and Communications Award - Sponsored by Australasian Leisure Management
Parramatta Aquatic Centre, City of Parramatta
Macquarie University Sport & Aquatics, Macquarie University
Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre, West HQ

Diversity and Inclusion Award - Sponsored by Belgravia Foundation
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Liverpool Region, Belgravia Leisure
Auburn Ruth Everess Aquatic Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Macquarie University Sport & Aquatics, Macquarie University

Adam Lloyd Memorial Spirit Award - Sponsored by InterQuad and Aquatic and Recreation Institute
Maria Wakefield, SGAC at West HQ
Tony Micallef,  Granville Swim Centre Cumberland City Council
Andrew Tullock, Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre
Erin McMullen, Swim Experts

A.H. Pierce Memorial Facility of the Year Award - Sponsored by InterQuad
Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre, West HQ
Parramatta Aquatic Centre, City of Parramatta
Ashfield Aquatic Centre, Inner West Council
Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure

Children's Program of the Year - Sponsored Splash About/Little Toggs
Junior Beach Safety Program, Greenwich Baths, BlueFit
Gymnastics Program, Whitlam Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Rackely Swimming Program, Smithfield, City Venue Management

Duty Manager of the Year Award - Sponsored by BlueFit
Acton Mortlock, Granville Swim Centre, Cumberland City Council
Garry Sole, Leichhardt Aquatic Centre, Inner West Council
Lou Phillips, Parramatta Aquatic Centre, City of Parramatta
Eva Osborne, Dubbo Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure

Child Safeguarding Award - Sponsored by Child Safeguard
Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre, West HQ
Inner West Aquatics and Recreation, Inner West Council Council
BlueFit
Rackley Swimming, Smithfield, City Venue Management

Supplier of the Year
Aflex Inflatables
AIS Water
AMPD Academy
Australasian Leisure Management
AUSTSWIM
Brauer Swim
Chemtrol
Child Safeguard
Grip Factory
Fluidra
InterQuad
IXOM
Jonas Leisure
LaMotte Pacific
Life Fitness
Maytronics
Metra Australia
Para Mobility
ProMinent
Roejen
Scully Outdoor Designs
Splash About/Little Toggs
Tim Batt Water Solution    
Xplor Recreation

Innovation and Technology Award - Sponsored by Xplor Recreation
Blue Mountains Leisure Centre, Blue Mountains City Council
Lane Cove Aquatic & Leisure Centre, BlueFit
Rackley Swimming, Smithfield, City Venue Management

Social Impact Award - Sponsored by Life Fitness
City of Sydney Aquatic & Fitness Centres, Belgravia Leisure
Bay Pavilions, Aligned Leisure
Inner West Aquatic Facilities, Inner West Council

Award of Excellence - Sponsored by Para Mobility
Brad Vella, SGAC at West HQ
Troy Hughes, Maitland Aquatic Centre, Maitland City Council
Alecia Ebersole, Michael Clarke Recreation Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Margaret Haine, Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Blue Mountains City Council

Customer Service Team of the Year Award - Sponsored by Roejen
Parramatta Aquatic Centre, City of Parramatta
Macquarie University Sport and Aquatics, Macquarie University
Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure

Swim School of the Year - Sponsored by AUSTSWIM
Macquarie University Sport & Aquatics, Macquarie University
Stromlo Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure
BlueFit Swimming Casula, BlueFit
Parramatta Aquatic Centre, City of Parramatta

Environmental Sustainability Award - Sponsored by Roejen
Maitland Aquatic Centre, Maitland City Council
Narromine Aquatic Centre, LSA Venues
Blue Mountains Leisure Centre, Blue Mountains City Council

Swim Teacher of the Year Award - Sponsored by AMPD Academy
Christine Peters, Auburn Ruth Everess Aquatic Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Casey Hynes, Dungog Swimming Centre, LSA Venues
Taylor Hanson, Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Andrea Johnson, Inner West Council

Emerging Leader Award - Sponsored by Jonas Leisure
Luke Cussen, Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, Inner West Council
Tahnee Hart, Whitlam Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure
Zach Byrnes, Regional Manager, Belgravia Leisure, Katie Stammers, Bay Pavilions, Aligned Leisure
Lucy Collin, Lifeguarding Services Australia, LSA Venues

Accessibility Award - Sponsored by Para Mobility
Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre, Hills Shire Council
Parramatta Aquatic Centre, City of Parramatta
Maitland Aquatic Centre, Maitland City Council

ARI NSW provides support, direction, information and networking opportunities for all members who are involved in aquatic and recreation services in NSW and the ACT.

Click here for information on the awards presentation.

Images: Granville Swim Centre, winner of the 2023 Marketing and Communications Award (top) and the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, winner of the 2023 Swim School of the Year award (below).