<div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="3dd5dc3f-66b4-43f3-9c7d-08d07c121165"><p>At BlueFit, delivering exceptional community leisure experiences requires two core ingredients: high-performing facilities and extraordinary people. Over recent months, BlueFit facilities, programs, and team members across Australia have been recognised on local, state, and national stages for their leadership, innovation, and community impact.<br /></p><p>Here is a roundup of our latest achievements across the aquatic and recreation sector.</p></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="c0276459-cc25-486a-8b63-13812615f8d1"><br /></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="eaf7f49b-bb0b-4da9-969b-fb0e2e5e9afb"><h5>Major Wins at the 2026 ARI NSW Awards of Excellence</h5></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="9445a9b3-7502-4d32-8c31-9ae1eca63b16"><p>The Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW Awards of Excellence celebrate the top facilities, programs, and leaders driving positive community outcomes. BlueFit took home <strong>five major awards</strong> alongside multiple finalist recognitions:</p><p><strong><br />Award of Excellence: Todd McHardy (CEO)</strong></p><p>BlueFit CEO Todd McHardy was honoured with the prestigious Award of Excellence in recognition of his long-standing leadership and dedication to the aquatic and recreation industry. This award highlights his ongoing commitment to driving strategic growth, high operational standards, and positive community outcomes across BlueFit's expanding network of facilities.<br /></p><p><strong>Emerging Leader Award: Liv Stephenson</strong></p><p>Liv Stephenson received the Emerging Leader Award for her outstanding initiative, dedication, and leadership. Liv has played a pivotal role in fostering a strong workplace culture, empowering her teams, and driving operational success across her sites.<br /></p><p><strong>Accessibility Award: Oran Park Leisure Centre</strong></p><p>Oran Park Leisure Centre was recognised with the Accessibility Award for its comprehensive Community Engagement Action Plan and inclusive facility design. The site prioritises accessibility for all community members through step-free pool access, specialised pool lifts, a dedicated Changing Places facility, and inclusive community programming such as <em>Dragonfly</em>.<br /></p><p><strong>Social Impact Award: Newcastle Pools</strong></p><p>Newcastle Pools earned the Social Impact Award for its collaborative community partnership alongside NSW Police, the Police Youth Command, and Wandiyali Indigenous Support Services. Through proactive engagement and youth outreach, this initiative achieved a remarkable <strong>77.8% reduction in antisocial behaviour</strong> across the facility in a single season.<br /></p><p><strong>Seasonal Facility of the Year Award: Lambton Pool</strong></p><p>Lambton Pool made history as the inaugural winner of the Seasonal Facility of the Year Award following an outstanding 2025/26 season. The facility welcomed over <strong>278,000 visits</strong> (a 9.3% increase), achieved an impressive <strong>94% National Health and Safety score</strong>, supported local aquatic clubs, and hosted more than 30 school carnivals.<br /></p><p><strong>Finalist Honours:</strong> BlueFit was also named a finalist across several key categories, including Swim School of the Year, Swim Teacher of the Year and Lifeguard of the Year. </p></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="918d5c2e-5a07-4cc7-8427-9ea17608637e"> <div class="gallery"> <div class="gallery-viewport"> <div class="gallery-track"><div class="gallery-slide" data-slide-index="0"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e625f62ea503f96c894b_Image_20261017_194331_326.jpeg" alt="" /></div><div class="gallery-slide" data-slide-index="1"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e63bd52d57305772b743_Image_20261017_194331_119.jpeg" alt="" /></div><div class="gallery-slide" data-slide-index="2"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e648c012c032aa7d37bd_Image_20261017_194331_026.jpeg" alt="" /></div><div class="gallery-slide" data-slide-index="3"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e654529f3940dccc74f4_Image_20261017_194330_967.jpeg" alt="" /></div><div class="gallery-slide" data-slide-index="4"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e66e607d07d9a0bc9efe_Image_20261017_194330_665.jpeg" alt="" /></div><div class="gallery-slide" data-slide-index="5"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e67aac7772f0e746e8cd_Image_20261017_194330_623.jpeg" alt="" /></div></div> <button class="gallery-arrow gallery-arrow-prev" aria-label="Previous image"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="20" height="20" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><polyline points="15 18 9 12 15 6"></polyline></svg></button> <button class="gallery-arrow gallery-arrow-next" aria-label="Next image"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="20" height="20" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><polyline points="9 18 15 12 9 6"></polyline></svg></button> </div> <div class="gallery-dots"><button class="gallery-dot" data-slide-index="0" data-active="true" aria-label="Go to image 1"></button><button class="gallery-dot" data-slide-index="1" aria-label="Go to image 2"></button><button class="gallery-dot" data-slide-index="2" aria-label="Go to image 3"></button><button class="gallery-dot" data-slide-index="3" aria-label="Go to image 4"></button><button class="gallery-dot" data-slide-index="4" aria-label="Go to image 5"></button><button class="gallery-dot" data-slide-index="5" aria-label="Go to image 6"></button></div> </div></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="5b9fc4c0-17d7-4da0-96c9-ab42ac803f97"><br /></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="91ebcf38-603c-4d2f-83a9-09c11921cf98"><h5>Double Honours at the ARV Gala Awards (Victoria)</h5></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="dd5f8e68-755e-4a0f-b6b2-7227a21a549a"><p>We are incredibly proud to share that BlueFit took home two awards at the Aquatics &amp; Recreation Victoria (ARV) Gala Awards held on Friday 12th June 2026! It was an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence across the sector, and we are excited to see our team's hard work and dedication recognised on such a prestigious stage.<br /></p><p>For the second year in a row, our ‘<em>Get Fit, Give Back’</em> campaign was recognised with the fantastic Marketing &amp; Communications Award. We are exceptionally proud of this purpose led initiative, which perfectly blends our marketing efforts with genuine, life changing community impact.<br /></p><p>A massive congratulations also to our very own Leonie Shaw, GM of Community Events and Programs, for winning the <strong>Bon Analytics/ARV Scholarship Award! </strong>This scholarship is designed to nurture and support leaders to influence and shape the future of the Australian recreation and aquatic industry.<br /></p><p>It recognises Leonie’s deep industry experience, strategic leadership, and dedication to the industry. She will now have the incredible opportunity to undertake international study, build global networks, and bring world class innovations back to our industry. We couldn't be more excited for the journey ahead of her and the insights she will undoubtedly bring back to our team.<br /></p><p>Congratulations to Leonie, our brilliant Marketing Team, all 12 of our amazing BlueFit award nominees, and everyone across the BlueFit family who brings our core mission of Inspiring Community Activity to life every single day!</p></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="4789f9ab-d51f-4327-b107-f38b9a7fcebb"><br /></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="f2015c72-a0d9-40ea-8572-a12ae0720455"><figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e734baf5b14d47625689_l.png" alt="" style="max-height:500px" /><figcaption>Far left: Leonie Shaw receiving the Bon Analytics/ARV Scholarship Award plaque. Top Right: Michael and Karyn Clancy receiving the ARV Marketing &amp; Communications Award plaque.. Bottom Right: BlueFt nominees at the ARV Gala Awards.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="9715011c-dced-4816-807f-f2c86bb5b26f"><br /></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="05dfd4de-dcf6-4810-9b90-7600401d8470"><h5>Award-Winning Milestone: Oran Park Celebrates 1 Million Visits and Facility of the Year Title</h5></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="e5811734-4871-4e59-982b-dc0dab6b82b3"><p>We are incredibly proud to announce that the Oran Park Leisure Centre was awarded Community Facility of the Year at the Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT Awards of Excellence, held June 25th, 2026 at the Sydney Masonic Centre. This prestigious recognition arrived on the heels of a monumental milestone: officially welcoming over 1 million visits during the 2025/26 financial year. Every swim lesson, gym session, group fitness class, game on the court, cafe visit, creche session, and family day contributed to the incredible achievement. <br /><br />We extend our deepest gratitude to our members, Learn to Swim families, stadium users, and the wider Oran Park community for choosing our centre and making it a vibrant part of everyday lives. A special thank you also goes to our amazing team, whose passion and dedication ensure a welcoming experience for every person who walks through the doors. Here's to the next million!</p></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="f87d62fd-1543-4772-b34e-3daed76f6abd"><figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e86fdc906369a844a607_awards.jpg" alt="" /></figure></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="a215ba13-9a86-4d2e-8de5-e0439597d7ad"><br /></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="88d1be14-a234-4180-a922-45e653469669"><h5>Unstoppable Talent: Nation-Wide Recognition for Our Incredible Trainees </h5></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="7f5c0236-db7b-44b5-8ba4-0246f5113813"><p>Our Leisure Employment Australia (LEA) trainees embedded across BlueFit facilities are absolutely crushing it, earning widespread external acclaim and state training award nominations nationwide! <br /><br />From coast to coast, our rising stars are setting a gold standard for excellence: Kate Spitzerova is flying the flag for NSW as an official finalist for the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="text-style-link" href="https://www.trainingawards.nsw.gov.au/"> <u>2026 NSW Training Awards</u></a>, while Lara Pryde continues to shine in Queensland, building brilliantly on her previous recognition as the 2025 LEA Queensland School-Based Trainee of the Year. <br /><br />Over in South Australia, Mitchell Close and Cooper Serle have scored well-deserved nominations for the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="text-style-link" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.skills.sa.gov.au/providers/sa-training-awards"> <u>SA Training Awards</u></a> alongside exceptional high-performance milestones, and Anisha Raja Azizi and Ben Shin are making major waves in Western Australia as nominees for the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="text-style-link" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/wa-training-awards"> <u>2026 WA State Training Awards</u></a>. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Michiru Tokuhara is leading the charge in the North Sydney region at Lane Cove, clocking the highest trainee hours and tracking rapidly toward an early completion!</p></div> <div class="block-wrapper" data-block-id="672d5af4-91a1-454e-80d8-fde1bf294ea8"><figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6993ed1c84f01f1608f12373/6ad6e915ac7772f0e74818b4_a3.png" alt="" style="max-height:700px" /><figcaption>Lara Pryde continues to shine in Queensland, building brilliantly on her previous recognition as the 2025 </figcaption></figure></div>