The inaugural NSW Disability & Inclusion in Leisure Forum was more than an industry event, it was a milestone moment that showcased what can be achieved when an industry comes together to drive change.
For Belgravia Leisure, the forum was also an opportunity to share the tangible outcomes of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to elevate diversity and inclusion within Sydney, NSW and the ACT’s leisure network.
Why leisure spaces matter
With NSW and the ACT home to culturally rich, diverse and socially complex populations, leisure facilities play a critical role. They are not just places to swim or exercise, they are public spaces where people can learn, connect, heal, feel safe and be part of a community. Ensuring these spaces are accessible, culturally informed and welcoming to everyone is central to improving public wellbeing and supporting the community’s long-term social resilience.
Creating programs and initiatives that are truly inclusive requires time, investment, specialised expertise, industry collaboration and ongoing community engagement. They must be co-designed with lived experience, adaptable to diverse needs, financially sustainable, supported by staff training and measurable for impact. Without sustained focus and resources, barriers including cultural, economic, social or physical could leave people feeling leisure centres are ‘not for them,’ leading to reduced participation and poorer health outcomes.
Enter the inaugural NSW Disability & Inclusion in Leisure forum.
The inaugural NSW Disability & Inclusion in Leisure Forum
After several successful Victorian forums, the inaugural NSW Disability & Inclusion in Leisure forum was held in Sydney on 19th November, 2025. This event aimed to bring together representatives from across the NSW and ACT leisure sector to not only share knowledge, but to drive progress in diversity and inclusion.
The event highlighted how prioritising accessibility, cultural safety and community engagement can transform leisure spaces into powerful platforms for connection, wellbeing and social resilience.
Belgravia Foundation played a key role in this initiative, with Dr Jeff Walkley, CEO of Belgravia Foundation leading the charge. Seven members of the Belgravia Leisure managed City of Sydney team attended, contributed and presented, sharing knowledge with industry stakeholders and colleagues. Highlights included:
Ramani Regis, Community Engagement Coordinator for City of Sydney venues, presented on a biennial Trans Gender Diverse event at Cook and Phillip Park Pool that exemplifies inclusive programming in action. These ongoing and highly valued events strengthen community wellbeing by creating a safe, welcoming space in for individuals that might otherwise be overlooked.
Ramani’s work goes far beyond single events – over the past financial year, Ramani has delivered 33 distinct programs attracting more than 300,000 attendees. Each program is co-designed with community input, ensuring cultural safety and relevance, demonstrating how intentional engagement can transform leisure centres into hubs of belonging for all identities.
Katherine Foreman, General Manager of Operations NSW/ACT, showcased CultureWise, a program designed to equip teams with practical tools to understand and respect cultural differences, fostering environments where everyone feels valued.
Katherine highlighted how this initiative aligns with Belgravia Leisure’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which commits to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Belgravia Leisure’s first ‘Reflect’ RAP was initiated thanks to City of Sydney’s priority to embed reconciliation across all relationships, including those of their partners.
Through training, partnerships and cultural awareness programs, the RAP ensures First Nations voices are heard and respected in the design and delivery of leisure services. Together, Culture Wise and the RAP represent a systemic approach to cultural safety, moving beyond compliance to genuine inclusion.
Chris Kerrisk, Co-Founder of Cérge introduced the industry-first tech that is transforming accessibility for people with disability across almost 100 Belgravia Leisure managed venues, including the City of Sydney sites. Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre has recorded more than 73,500 interactions with the technology, placing it among the top 20 Belgravia Leisure venues across ANZ that have embraced Cérge.
Free to users, Cérge allows guests to communicate their needs before visiting a venue, enabling staff to prepare personalised experiences such as express check-in, accessible equipment setup and guided tours highlighting inclusive features. This technology reduces anxiety and removes barriers by giving people confidence that their needs will be met.
Why it matters
This event will act as a catalyst for future forums of this kind in NSW and the ACT. It has also created the beginnings of a shared space for anyone working to build more inclusive, equitable leisure opportunities in these areas the chance to learn from real world evidence driven initiatives, network with fellow peers, explore practical strategies and build their knowledge of programs, resources, training and workforce innovations.
Jeff Walkley, CEO, Belgravia Foundation & National Disability & Diversity Manager commented that “…real change happens when individuals and groups actively come together to take action. And no matter how seemingly insignificant one action may be, we all know that small steps, every day, lead to big results.
“It was not only important that the Belgravia Leisure managed Sydney, NSW and ACT teams embraced all that this forum had to offer, but in many ways, it is very much their shared responsibility to lead the charge and consistently take those small steps towards a better future for those who might otherwise miss out.”
The content presented at the NSW Community Network Forum also directly support priorities in the City’s Community Strategic Plan, including fostering a diverse and inclusive community, promoting healthy and active lifestyles and building a connected and resilient society.
Looking ahead
The forum was not just a celebration of progress; it was a catalyst for what comes next. Insights shared by presenters including trans-focused engagement, cultural safety initiatives and digital accessibility will inform the next phase of inclusive programming across Sydney, NSW and ACT venues, whereby there is now a renewed industry commitment to build on this momentum by continuing co-design with community, strengthen cultural competence and expand tools that make leisure spaces more accessible for all.
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