AusLeisure

Belgravia Leisure’s excellence in water safety and the prevention of drowning deaths has been highlighted in two reports recently released by industry organisations as we head into the busy summer season.

Learn to swim programs run by Belgravia Leisure in 2019 contributed an economic benefit of $19.4 million in the area of preventing deaths by drowning, according to a report into social value by data organisation ActiveXchange.

Reports into pool safety awareness undertaken by the Life Saving Victoria and Royal Life Saving Society - NSW, gave Belgravia Leisure’s sites a score of 96% in pool supervision (industry average 83.5%), and a mean safety score of 91% (industry average 84%) with all sites assessed, improving their performance year on year.

The economic benefit of learn to swim is part of the organisation’s overall social value performance which has saved Australian communities to the tune of almost $134m in 2019. Social value is the economic benefit healthy and engaged individuals contribute to society through improved mental wellbeing, education and engagement in health and leisure.

The importance of social value and its positive impact in learn to swim programs is timely given the highlights of the recent Royal Lifesaving Australia’s National Drowning Report for 2019 which showed an increase in overall drowning deaths across the nation.

The report found:

• Drowning deaths over the past year increased by 10%;
• 17% increase in summer drowning deaths compared with the 10-year average;
• Rivers accounted for 29% of all drowning deaths, more than any other location;
• There was a 39% increase in multiple fatality events, that is multiple people drowning in one incident, compared with the 10-year average;
• People aged 45 to 55 years accounted for 15% of the total number of drowning deaths, the most of any age group
• 41% of drowning deaths in children are of toddlers aged less than one.

Belgravia Leisure works with Swimming Australia through its GOSWIM learn to swim program in more than 50 centres under its management. Victoria and NSW made the biggest contribution to social value in preventing drowning deaths with Qld and SA also large contributors.

Welcoming the findings, Belgravia Leisure Chief Executive, Nick Cox stated "these figures show how our learn to swim programs, commitment to water safety and connecting communities to leisure can directly impact with cost savings.

“It’s important more Australians learn how to swim to prevent drowning deaths, and of even greater value to communities is getting people to exercise more. We know that people live happier and more productive lives when they exercise regularly.”

Belgravia Leisure Pool Safety Assessment 2018/19
Key Summaries

• Mean safety score of 91% in Victoria and NSW (7.5% higher than industry average)
• In Victoria Belgravia Leisure averaged 11.3% higher on compliance score (the compliance score is all items that the operator has practical control over)
• Belgravia Leisure scored above 96% in relation to pool supervision in both states compared to industry average (84-86%)
• Both states have increased their average score over three years.

Image: Belgravia Leisure ambassador Brooke Hanson with young swimmers.

Related Articles

29th November 2019 - Mornington Peninsula Shire Council awards Aquatic Centre management tender to Belgravia Leisure

26th November 2019 - Life Saving Victoria launches new SwimSafe safety campaign for public pools

12th November 2019 - Swimming Australia and Belgravia Leisure partner to deliver activity and experience-based swim school teaching

6th November 2019 - Belgravia Leisure recruits to meet ongoing growth demands in South Australia

1st November 2019 - Belgravia Leisure wins Parks and Leisure Australia award for excellence in strategic planning

15th October 2019 - Tourism leader joins Belgravia Leisure as South-West Sydney Regional Manager

9th September 2019 - Community nominates Belgravia Leisure swim coach as a Westfield Local Hero

27th August 2019 - Belgravia Leisure secures three wins at 2019 World Luxury Spa Awards

29th July 2019 - Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre named Belgravia Leisure’s Facility of the Year

9th July 2019 - Grant Connors moves from ARV to Belgravia Leisure

20th June 2019 - Belgravia Leisure secures wins in multiple categories at annual ARV awards

17th May 2019 - Belgravia Leisure recognised for championing access, inclusion and combating mental illness

24th April 2019 - Belgravia Leisure secures Singleton Council fitness and sport facilities management contract

8th April 2019 - Royal Life Saving opens nominations for third year of National Aquatic Industry Safety Awards

13th December 2018 - Belgravia Leisure partners to introduce activity and wellness initiative in aquatic and recreation centres

6th December 2018 - Belgravia Leisure join supporters of 2019 Swimming Australia’s swim challenge

10th October 2018 - Belgravia Leisure launches expanded FloatFit class program

11th July 2018 - Jonas Leisure supports new ActiveXchange industry insights

15th November 2016 - Brooke Hanson launches Belgravia Leisure’s national water safety campaign

22nd April 2016 - Olympic Swimming Champion Brooke Hanson backs Belgravia Leisure water safety programs

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