We are thrilled to announce that Belgravia Leisure has been honoured with the prestigious President’s Award by Royal Life Saving NSW, recognising our team’s outstanding impact on water safety and community inclusion. This award is not self-nominated but determined by industry leaders, making this achievement especially significant.

“This is an incredible honour and a testament to the dedication of our teams across the state who work tirelessly to deliver safe, inclusive and high-quality aquatic programs and services to the communities we serve,” said Nick Cox, CEO of Belgravia Leisure. “A huge thank you to RLSSA NSW for this recognition, we’re proud to support your work in advocating for water safety and community wellbeing.”
Pictured: Belgravia Leisure’s Anthony McIntosh, Penny Evans, Liz Stanix and Nick Cox.
Announced during the 130 Summers celebration at The Aquas Awards Gala 2025, the award acknowledged Belgravia Leisure’s impact not only within its managed venues but across the entire aquatic industry.
“This was a great achievement to be recognised externally for the impact we are having on drowning prevention and aquatic safety, not only within Belgravia Leisure’s operated venues, but influencing the entire industry to deliver best practice outcomes.
“We are especially proud of the recognition given to the Belgravia Foundation for breaking down barriers to access swimming lessons so no one misses out,” said Scott Vanderheyden, Acting Group Manager, Health & Safety.

The award was presented by Wes Manuta of aXcelerate and Jim Whiteside, President of Royal Life Saving NSW and was accepted by Nick Cox and Scott Vanderheyden during the final moments of the gala. The presenters shared:
“At the core of their culture is a bold safety initiative—Think Safe, Act Safe, Be Safe—empowering every team member to take ownership of safety. From site-level practices to national oversight, their approach creates a consistent, positive, and proactive safety culture.
Through strategic programs like Aquatic Facility Safety Assessments, Mystery Guest reviews, and structured incident investigations, they continuously raise the bar on industry safety standards. Importantly, they share their insights widely, influencing best practice well beyond their own sites.
Their investment in people is equally impressive, with a strong focus on leadership development, wellbeing, and workforce retention. Peer-nominated awards, mental health support, and mentorship opportunities ensure their team feels valued and empowered.
Beyond the pool deck, this organisation is changing lives. Through their foundation, they deliver subsidised Learn to Swim programs to children from vulnerable communities, ensuring that every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to develop vital water safety skills.
Their reach, impact, and unwavering commitment to drowning prevention and industry excellence make them a true leader in the field.
On behalf of the team at Royal Life Saving NSW and the broader community, congratulations to Belgravia Leisure for this remarkable and well-deserved recognition.”
Scott concluded, “We extend our sincere thanks to Royal Life Saving NSW for this incredible honour and to our entire Belgravia Leisure team and community whose passion, dedication and commitment are what make this achievement possible.”
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