John Charles Centre for Sport
John Charles Centre for Sport is a world-class, multi-sport leisure complex located south of Leeds city centre. As a flagship facility for Active Leeds, it hosts elite regional and national spectator sports alongside community activities. The venue boasts a premier Aquatics Centre featuring a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool and a specialist diving pool with an adjustable floating floor, as well as the thrilling Atlantis Inflatable Waterpark. Additionally, the centre offers a state-of-the-art indoor tennis centre, an indoor bowls arena, a fully-equipped modern fitness gym, and an outdoor athletics stadium with a 2,500-seat grandstand. Catering to all ages and physical abilities, the centre provides inclusive fitness programmes, low-sensory sessions, and expert coaching to help the Leeds community achieve their health and performance goals.
Olympic-Standard Aquatics
Train like a champion in our 50-metre competition pool and advanced diving arena.
Inclusive Accessibility
Designed with disabled access, 280 free parking spaces, and dedicated low-sensory sessions.
Floodlit Athletics Track
Enjoy our premier outdoor running track, open for casual users and official clubs.
Catherine Fenton
Centre Manager & Aquatics Coordinator
With over 15 years of experience in facility management, Catherine coordinates the aquatics programmes and community outreach initiatives at JCCS.
Marcus Vance
Head Tennis Coach
An LTA-certified coach with a passion for youth development, Marcus runs programs ranging from Mini Tennis to adult performance classes.
Sarah Jenkins
Lead Fitness Instructor & Hyrox Specialist
Sarah leads our functional training and endurance classes, helping members prep for Hyrox races and improve daily athletic performance.
David, 34 yrs
"The aquatics facilities are top-tier. I train here for my triathlons, and the 50m pool is always immaculate. Staff are exceptionally helpful."
Emma, 28 yrs
"My kids absolutely love the Atlantis Inflatable sessions on the weekends! It's safe, fun, and very well organized."
Aquatics Centre
Featuring a world-class 50m swimming pool and a dedicated diving pool with adjustable depths up to 5 meters, suitable for elite competitors and beginners alike.
Indoor Tennis Centre
Equipped with high-quality indoor courts offering year-round coaching and court bookings for all ages and skill levels.
Athletics Stadium
Features an outdoor running track with floodlights and a grandstand seating 2,500 spectators.
Fitness Gym & Studios
A fully-equipped, modern gym space featuring cardio zones, strength machines, free weights, and dedicated group fitness studios.
Indoor Bowls Centre
Leeds' first indoor bowls facility, designed for casual games and competitive regional leagues.
Swim England Learn to Swim
Structured swimming programs for children and adults to build water confidence and technique.
Low Sensory Sessions
Dedicated hours on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons with dimmed lighting and reduced noise for neurodivergent visitors.
Junior Tennis Development
An LTA-approved tennis program ranging from Mini Tennis to advanced match play.
Middleton Grove, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Open in Google MapsPlace ID: ChIJbXCmlwFeeUgReUspQFKB6hc
Swim Lessons
Specialized class
Indoor Tennis
Specialized class
Junior Athletics
Specialized class
Casual Running Track
Specialized class
Aqua Aerobics
Specialized class
HIIT
Specialized class
Group Spin
Specialized class
Yoga & Pilates
Specialized class
Hyrox Training
Préparation aux compétitions HYROX
Strengths
- Elite-Grade Facilities - Houses an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving facility, and floodlit running track of international standards.
- Excellent Accessibility - Fully wheelchair accessible with generous free parking and specialized low-sensory times.
- Diverse Sports Directory - Offers a rare mix of tennis, swimming, bowls, athletics, and group gym classes all in one location.
Watch points
- Upcoming Price Increase - Activity fees, pay-as-you-go sessions, and lessons are subject to a price increase starting June 1, 2026.
- Busy Event Days - As a major sports stadium and event venue, some areas may occasionally have restricted access during regional tournaments.
Swim Lessons
Comprehensive swimming instruction following the Swim England framework. Covers water safety, basic strokes, and advanced technique refinement.
Objective: cardio, technique
Indoor Tennis
Structured drills, tactical coaching, and gameplay on high-quality indoor courts led by LTA-certified coaches.
Objective: cardio, technique
Hyrox Training
Functional fitness programming combining running intervals with functional strength movements to prepare for Hyrox races or build elite endurance.
Objective: endurance, force
Group Spin
High-intensity indoor cycling workout set to motivating music, focusing on endurance, interval training, and lower-body strength.
Objective: cardio
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Situated 3 km (2 miles) south of Leeds City Centre, bordering Beeston, Belle Isle, and Hunslet, the venue is highly accessible from major roads.
Public transport
Easily accessible by public bus routes running off Dewsbury Road (A653). The nearest train station is Leeds City Station, just 2 miles away.
Parking
Large on-site parking lot with 280 free parking spaces, including dedicated disabled bays.
Landmarks
Approach
We believe sport and fitness should be accessible to all. Our aim is to foster health, longevity, and peak performance across the Leeds community.
Methodology
Combining professional-grade sports facilities with certified coaching, we follow structured developmental frameworks (such as Swim England and LTA) to ensure safe, methodical progression.
Progression
Members can track their progress through digital tools like the Active Leeds App, regular coach assessments, and structural level upgrades in tennis and swimming.
Active Leeds Gym & Swim Membership
- Unlimited gym access
- Unlimited general swim sessions
- Discounted class bookings
- Active Leeds App access
Junior Swim/Tennis Academy
- Weekly structured coaching session
- Progress tracking
- Free public swim access
First visit
Arrive 15 minutes early to register at our Customer Service reception desk. Our staff will show you around your designated zone (gym, tennis, or pool) and explain any specific entry requirements.
Required equipment
Bring comfortable sportswear, clean indoor training shoes, a padlock for lockers, a swim kit (including towel/goggles for pool users), and a water bottle.
What a typical session looks like
Sessions vary by sport but generally start with a 10-minute cardiovascular and mobility warm-up, followed by the main skill/strength block, and end with a guided cooldown and stretch.
Cardio Area
Strength & Free Weights
Aquatics & Specialty
Regional Swimming Championships
High-level swimming competition hosting athletes from across Yorkshire.
Atlantis Waterpark Weekend
Weekly fun-packed inflatable challenge sessions for families and juniors.
Catherine Fenton
Catherine is our primary Swim Coordinator and Centre liaison. She has over 15 years of experience guiding non-swimmers to athletic competency and coordinating high-quality public swim and aquatic programs.
Sarah Jenkins
Sarah is a passionate functional fitness and endurance coach. She leads our strength, HIIT, and Hyrox preparation courses, helping members build functional resilience and optimize their athletic capacities.
Active Leeds
The official health and fitness provider run by Leeds City Council.
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
Official partner for professional tennis coaching development and tournaments.
Active Leeds offers flexible membership packages including Swim, Gym, and Multi-Activity options, alongside pay-as-you-go sessions. Note: Price increase across pay-as-you-go and lesson activities starting 1 June 2026. Concessions available with the LeedsCard.