A local sports and leisure operator is celebrating after its commitment to swimming was recognised with a prestigious industry award.
Everyone Active, which operates five leisure centres across Middlesbrough in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, was named Facility Operator of the Year at the Swim England National Awards. The accolade was presented by Olympic diver, Leon Taylor, at an event held on Saturday 11 November in the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall.
It is the seventh year that Everyone Active has scooped the accolade, which was awarded in recognition of its continued commitment to increasing the number of people who benefit from swimming. Over the past 12 months, more than 7 million casual swimmers have visited its 97 sites with swimming pools across the country, and in excess of 180,000 students learned valuable skills as part of its Learn to Swim programme each week.
The award also acknowledged Everyone Active’s efforts to put inclusivity at the forefront of its services. It has been heavily involved in Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can Swim’ pilot campaign, which promotes the benefits of swimming among female participants, and has introduced Swim 4 Confidence sessions for customers with disabilities and their carers.
Jacqui Tillman, Everyone Active’s Group Swim Manager, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award for the seventh year. It reflects our commitment to developing exciting pool-based activities and ensuring as many people as possible get active in the water.
“This has been an exciting year for Everyone Active. We’ve taken on four new contracts, meaning the addition of seven more aquatic facilities. We have also introduced a new swimwear policy, which gives more flexibility around what can be worn in the water and aims to eliminate some of the barriers that prevent people from getting involved.
“Swimming is a fantastic way to improve a person’s health and wellbeing, and we look forward to continuing our work with Swim England and our local authority partners to ensure more people benefit from developing this life-saving skill.”
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member with responsibility for sport development, said: “This accolade is well deserved recognition of Everyone Active’s commitment to making swimming available and accessible to all.
“Their proactive approach has helped build on our commitment to making more people more active, and this seventh award is further confirmation that our partnership is going from strength to strength.
“My congratulations go to all those who have played a part in making this possible, and I look forward to further success in the years to come.”
The Facility Operator of the Year award was one of five successes Everyone Active achieved on the night.
Jane Nickerson, Swim England CEO, said: “We have so many inspirational people involved at all levels of our sport and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate them at the Swim England National Awards.
“I would like to congratulate Everyone Active on once again winning the Swim England Facility Operator of the Year Award, and to thank the entire team for their ongoing commitment to swimming.”
To find out about swimming lessons or water-based activities on offer at Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com.