Belgravia Foundation in partnership with the Belgravia Leisure and Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV) is proud to be announced as the winner of the VicHealth Initiative of the Year – Active Recreation Award at the 2022 Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards, held on November 8th, 2022. 

The disability sport and recreation community gathered at the awards to celebrate and praise the achievements of people with disabilities and those who support them. The awards act as an example of the hard work and dedication sportspeople, volunteers, officials and administrators have been able to achieve within the inclusive sport and recreation sector across Victoria for sixty years. 

Belgravia Foundation is proud to partner with the Belgravia Leisure and ARV, and to be recognised for the Inclusive Aquatics and Recreation Guide which outlines steps for the leisure industry to increase participation by underrepresented communities.

Liz Tesone, CEO of Disability Sport and Recreation said how delightful the night of celebration was and the impact it has on the sector. “For a thirteenth year, the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards has been a fantastic night commemorating the unsung heroes and rising stars of accessible and inclusive sport,” Ms Tesone said.

Emma Lowe, Belgravia Leisure’s National Access & Inclusion Coordinator was honoured to accept the award on behalf of the team she led to complete the creation of the guidelines. “We are honoured to be recognised for this ground-breaking resource that has been created specifically for the leisure industry. Many guides currently exist to support pathways to sport, but none support the specific uniqueness of the leisure sector,” Ms Lowe said. 

To ensure best practice methods and resources remain contemporary in this guide, Belgravia Foundation has pledged to support Belgravia Leisure and ARV to maintain the content.

Congratulations to all award nominees and winners, and their achievements. Visit the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation website here.