Sir Murray Halberg attended a special ceremony at The Leisure Centre, Whangaparaoa to present the facility with a Gold Halberg Trust Sport Access award last week.
Three categories of Halberg awards are available: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Leisure Centre is the first facility to gain a Halberg Award on the North Shore, and one of a select few to be awarded the prestigious gold award nationally.
The application process involved Leisure Centre staff completing a self review, undertaking an external audit to identify and address barriers for people with disabilities in regard to accessing The Leisure Centre facilities and tailoring services and programmes to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Information on initiatives already underway at the centre which include people with disabilities was included in the Centre’s application along with supporting evidence of these activities.
The Leisure Centre created a ‘No Exclusion Action Plan’ which was submitted as part of the application.
A significant proportion of the staff at the Leisure Centre have completed SPARC sponsored 'No Exceptions' training which is designed by the Halberg Sport Opportunity Trust. The training has increased the skills and confidence of Leisure Centre staff and helped them to provide an inclusive environment for all members.
The Halberg Trust were so impressed with the Leisure Centre’s application they described it as the best application they had ever received in New Zealand.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sir Murray Halberg said that he had noticed the positive atmosphere at the Leisure Centre and had felt cared for and supported by staff from the moment he walked into the centre.
Sir Murrray congratulated the Leisure Centre on their award and said the centre would make a difference to people in the community with disabilities.
For more information about the Leisure Centre visit www.theleisurecentre.co.nz.
For further information and comment please contact:
Cherry Gilbert
The Leisure Centre
Phone 09 424 9308
Photo: Sir Murray Halberg (far left) with Leisure Centre Staff at the Awards Ceremony