ARI NSW announces Awards of Excellence finalists

The Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW has announced the finalists for its 2023 Awards of Excellence, with the list reflecting initiatives across the industry in the state.

Being held on Thursday 19th October 2023 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.”

Accessibility Award - Sponsored by Para Mobility
• Ashfield Aquatic Centre - Inner West Council
• Belgravia Leisure - Liverpool - Belgravia Leisure 
• Waves Fitness & Aquatic Centre - The Hills Shire Council

Diversity and Inclusion Award - Sponsored by Belgravia Leisure
• Ukrainian Refugee Swim Program - Belgravia Leisure 
• Blacktown Key Venues 
• Ashfield Aquatic Centre - Inner West Council

Social Impact Award - Sponsored by Jonas Leisure
• Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre - Belgravia Leisure 
• Bay Pavilions Arts and Aquatics Centre - Aligned Leisure 
• Belgravia Leisure - Liverpool 

Children's Program of the Year Award - Sponsored by Little Toggs
• Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope & Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton - Blacktown Key Venues
• Charlestown Swim Centre - Lake Macquarie City Council 
• Whitlam Leisure Centre - Belgravia Leisure 
• Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre - West HQ
• Greenwich Baths - Bluefit 
• Swim Experts - Aquatic Educators

Child Safeguarding Award - Sponsored by Child Safeguard
• Lifeguarding Services Australia 
• Cumberland Council 
• Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre - West HQ

Environmental Sustainability Initiative Award - Sponsored by Roejen Engineering + Technical Services
• Maitland Aquatic Centre - Maitland Council 
• Narromine Aquatic Centre - LSA Venues 
• Dungog Swimming Pool - LSA Venues 

Community Marketing Campaign of the Year Award - Sponsored by Australasian Leisure Management
• Granville Swim Centre - Cumberland City Council
• Lakeside Leisure Centre - Belgravia Leisure 
• Head Office - Belgravia Leisure 

Customer Service Team of the Year Award - Sponsored by Roejen Engineering + Technical Services
• Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre - West HQ 
• Blacktown Aquatic Centre - Blacktown Key Venues 
• Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre - Belgravia Leisure 

Lifeguard of the Year - Sponsored by Lifeguarding Services Australia
• Washington Canellas - Belgravia Leisure 
• Ben Clarke - Inner West Council 
• Shannon Condon - BlueFit
• Shinai Chalmers - SGAC at West HQ

Duty Manager of the Year Award - Sponsored by BlueFit
• Kerri Tiems - Belgravia Leisure 
• Acton Mortlock - Cumberland City Council 
• Katie Stammers - Aligned Leisure 
• Audrey Tran - Inner West Council 
• Tim Lehman - Blue Mountains City Council 
• Paul Robinson - Maitland City Council 
• Todd Anthony Robertson - BlueFit

Swim School of the Year - Sponsored by AUSTSWIM
• Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre - West HQ
• Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton - Blacktown Key Venues 
• Swim Experts - The Aquatic Educators 
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre - Inner West Council
• Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre - BlueFit 
• Michael Wenden Aquatic Leisure Centre - Belgravia Leisure

Emerging Leader - Sponsored by Life Fitness
• Elise Filmer - SGAC at West HQ
• Andrew Vaulin - Blacktown Key Venues 
• Liz Stranix - Belgravia Leisure 
• Rebecca Twomey - Blue Mountains City Council 
• Lachlan Knight - Aligned Leisure 
• Matthew Staples - Peninsula Leisure - Central Coast Council 
• Grace Burns - BlueFit

Adam Lloyd Memorial Spirit Award - Sponsored by Aquatic & Recreation Institute NSW
• Tony Micallef - Cumberland City Council 
• Nicholas Hoynes - Bega Valley Shire Council 
• Karl Kriess - Blue Mountains City Council 
• Brooke Atkins - Larcan 
• Erin McMullan - Swim Experts 

Award of Excellence - Sponsored by Para Mobility
• Brad Vella - SGAC at West HQ
• Michelle Nolland - Larcan
• Simon Duck - Inner West Council

AH Pierce Memorial Facility of the Year - Sponsored by International Quadratics & Pierce Pool Supplies
• Waves Fitness & Aquatic Centre - The Hills Shire Council 
• Riverstone Swimming Centre - Blacktown Key Venues 
• Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre - West HQ
• Whitlam Leisure Centre - Belgravia Leisure 
• Bay Pavilions Arts and Aquatic Centre - Aligned Leisure

Click here for more information on the awards.

Image: Ashfield Aquatic Centre, nominated for the ARI NSW Accessibility Award.