Among the nominations, Freedom Leisure is honoured to be shortlisted for the following categories:
- Learn to Swim Provider of the Year
- Sustainability Initiative – Carbon Literacy Project
- Inclusion Impact – Ystradgynlais Sensory Lessons
- Community Impact – Ystradgynlais Sblash & Sbri
Freedom Leisure manages the leisure centres in Wales on behalf of the councils in Powys, Wrexham and Swansea and boasts over 12,000 swimmers on its Swim Wales Learn to Swim programme with a highly skilled team of swimming instructors teaching both children and adults to learn the ‘life skill’ of swimming.
The leisure trust has also set a new benchmark for sustainability in the sector through its continued actions and investments in energy efficiency and by becoming the first leisure trust in the UK to become an accredited Carbon Literate Organisation.
On the strength of these improved best practices and capital interventions, Freedom Leisure has achieved substantial reductions in energy use achieving a saving of over 1,500,000 kWh of energy equating to a significant 250 tonnes carbon savings in the last year across their Welsh swimming pool facilities.
In addition, Chirk Dragons, who operate from Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre near Wrexham, have been nominated for Aquatic Club of the Year. This nomination celebrates their incredible commitment to fostering inclusion, supporting development and achieving success in aquatic sports.
Swansea based ‘SimpLee Swim School’, who operate out of Penlan Leisure Centre have also been shortlisted for the Inclusion Impact Award category. ‘SimpLee Swim School’ is a not-for-profit swimming school with a specialism in teaching those with additional needs, promoting inclusion and support for families across the Swansea and wider area.
Several Freedom Leisure teachers were also nominated for the prestigious Teacher of the Year award, acknowledging their exceptional dedication to delivering outstanding swimming instruction and inspiring individuals of all ages to engage in water-based activities.
We are thrilled to be recognised across so many categories at the Swim Wales Awards. These nominations are a testament to the incredible work of our teams, partners and clubs, as well as our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive, sustainable and impactful swimming programme that truly benefits our communities’ health and wellbeing.
Ivan Horsfall Turner
Freedom Leisure extends its congratulations to all the nominees and looks forward to celebrating the achievements of the aquatic community at the awards ceremony which will take place in Cardiff on Saturday 1st February.