THE top operators, suppliers and facilities from across the physical activity sector have been celebrated, as the winners of the prestigious ukactive Awards 2023 were announced at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
The Awards, sponsored by STA, saw Professor Greg Whyte OBE and award-winning fitness author and PT Laura Hoggins host the evening and announce the winners in the 15 categories.
Places Leisure was the big winner on the night, taking home both the Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award and the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award for its Big Sister project. Judges praised the project’s ability to recognise the key transitional moments for girls in their teenage years that offered them the chance to realise the benefits of physical activity on their own terms.
Tom Goodhand, operations director at Places Leisure, also took home the Outstanding Leadership Award, adding to the organisation’s success on the evening.
The prestigious National Club/Centre of the Year Award went to Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre – Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Les Mills UK scooped the Supplier of the Year Award for helping clubs reach Gen Z audiences and younger members, with Study Active receiving the Education Provider of the Year Award for its user led programming, recognised by the judges for successfully supporting the sector to retain and upskill staff.
In the individual categories, Elaine Hutton from Bangor Aurora Aquatics & Leisure Complex received the Physical Activity Hero Award and Jamie Groves, managing director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, won the Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award in acknowledgement for his exceptional service to the industry.
The New Build or Design of the Year Award went to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) for the second year in a row, this time for its Sands Centre site in Carlisle. Judges commended the site’s exceptional ability to maximise every inch of space, all while creating a multifaceted hub that caters to the diverse needs of the community it serves.
GM Active was awarded with the top prize for Innovation for its Prehab4Cancer programme, which judges applauded for being both important and revolutionary in delivering prehabilitation and recovery programmes for those managing a cancer diagnosis. The programme also featured in the main kick-off event for this year’s National Fitness Day.