2025 NSW/ACT Diversity & Inclusion Forum

The upcoming NSW/ACT Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum is NOT just another industry conference; it’s an event shaped by the voices of our workforce and communities through evidence gathered across the sector. 

At the heart of the Forum’s agenda is a commitment to listening first. The program has been informed by multiple sources, including Belgravia Leisure’s Community Network Forums (CNFs) held across NSW and the ACT, the 2025 AUSactive Fitness Industry Trends Report, survey responses from workers in the leisure, aquatic, recreation and fitness sector, and input for sector leaders. These insights ensure that the topics we’ll be exploring are grounded in lived experience, local needs, evidence, and sector priorities. 

What communities are telling us 

Data from recent CNFs (Sept 2024 and March 2025) highlighted clear priorities from community members and local contacts: 

• Youth and people with a disability emerged as the two most consistently identified priority groups across all forums. 

• Older adults, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and socially isolated individuals were also frequently mentioned as groups requiring tailored support. 

• Key program and service needs included: 

• Affordability and accessibility — cited as the number one barrier to participation. 

• Social connection — the single most common theme, showing how critical leisure spaces are for building belonging, and attenuating loneliness and isolation. 

• Health and fitness, mental health support, and employment pathways were also highlighted as priority services. 

Data sources shaping the agenda 

Findings from the 2024 AUSactive Fitness Industry Trends Report mirror what we’re hearing on the ground. 155 respondents across NSW/ACT highlighted: 

• Exercise for Mental Health ranked #2 overall (avg. 8.46/10) 

• Defined by AUSactive as “recognising exercise as a powerful tool for mental well-being, reducing anxiety, stress, and depression.” 

• Inclusive Exercise Services ranked #18 (avg. 7.3/10) 

• Defined as “business operators that offer supportive, welcoming environments where no one is judged or discriminated against based on race, religion, age, gender, disability, or body weight.” 

• Importantly, those with more than 10 years’ experience in the industry ranked inclusive exercise as significantly more important (#14 vs #20 for newer professionals), suggesting growing recognition of its value among experienced leaders. 

This evidence confirms what we are hearing from our communities — that mental health, inclusivity, and safe, supportive environments are among the highest priorities for the future of leisure, health, and fitness. 

Why this matters! 

When combined, these data sources create a strong, compelling evidence base to shape both the Forum program and broader sector strategies. Importantly, the agenda only includes evidence-based, best-practice approaches that directly respond to the needs shared by communities and the sector, and are ready for scale-up – that is, can be quickly, easily and at no cost or very low cost, adopted by leisure facility operators everywhere to help more people, more often, in more places! 

The result? A Forum agenda that tackles the issues that matter most — promoting strength-based initiatives, designing inclusive services, removing barriers, and ensuring every person, regardless of age, background, ability, or circumstance, can find a place to belong in leisure and recreation. 

Join the conversation 

By attending the NSW Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum, you’ll be part of an event that is led by evidence, co-designed with community, and focused on actionable solutions. Together, we can respond to the needs of the sector and create pathways to more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable participation. 

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now – don’t miss your chance to be part of this important conversation! Click here to secure your spot!

Program