Our Story

Why Belgravia Foundation was established

The Belgravia Foundation was established to harness the power of sport, recreation and community connection to create positive and lasting change.

Born from the Belgravia Group’s long-standing commitment to community wellbeing, the Foundation works alongside local communities, government, businesses, sporting organisations, health providers and philanthropic partners to increase participation and create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

Every year, the broader Belgravia network connects with millions of people through leisure centres, aquatic facilities, swim schools, gymnastics clubs, dance studios, health and fitness centres, outdoor education experiences, community programs and sporting initiatives. This extensive reach provides the Foundation with a unique platform to identify need, support communities and deliver meaningful impact.

Our focus priorities

The Foundation is focused on three core priorities: 

  • Getting One Million Kids Active 
  • Supporting Healthy Lives 
  • Creating Connected Communities

Through our No One Misses Out commitment, we work to reduce financial, social and accessibility barriers that prevent people from participating in sport, recreation and wellbeing opportunities. Our vision is ambitious, but our purpose is clear: to create communities where every person has the opportunity to move, connect and belong. 

Our history

Belgravia Foundation has been years in the making, starting with Associate Professor Jeff Walkley’s appointment as Belgravia Leisure’s National Disability and Diversity Manager in 2014. Dr Walkley’s passion to advocate for the most vulnerable members of our communities has steered Belgravia Leisure’s thriving access and inclusion program, and is making a real difference to families across Australia and New Zealand. This passion is now being used to benefit and support Genesis Fitness health clubs.

His work and programs have received national acclaim and we are proud to have Dr Walkley take the helm as Chief Executive Officer of the Belgravia Foundation since the Foundation’s launch in late 2017. In this time, Alex Lord was appointed Chairman of the Foundation, whose executive sponsorship supports Dr Walkley’s vision to ensure everyone has access to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Through Belgravia Leisure, we proudly manage over 120 venues on behalf of over 40 local and state government authorities (LGA) across Australia and New Zealand, and we look forward to continue working with our client partners to address the inequity some groups experience when seeking to connect with leisure – be that sport, aquatic, fitness or recreational activities.

Personalised fitness, active leisure and the enhancement of health and a sense of wellbeing are available through Coaching Zone, Ninja Park and Wellness venues