2013 Fitness Industry Awards finalists announced

A record-breaking number of entrants have ensured that the 2013 New Zealand Fitness Industry Awards are the most competitive to date, according to head judge Dr. Nigel Harris.

With 20 categories, looking at both individuals and facilities that operate in the fitness/exercise industry, as well as special awards for those outside the industry showing a commitment to health and wellness through exercise, the 2013 finalists represent, according to Dr Harris "truly excellent contributions to health and fitness within the industry."

With the exception of four awards, all awards are based on an application process that is reviewed by a judging panel, with finalists announced here, and the winners to be announced at the awards ceremony during the FitEx Conference in Auckland on 23rd November.

The award ceremony is always a prestigious event with past speakers including Prime Minister John Key, Sport Ministers Rodney Hide and Murray McCully and Sue Kedgeley.

This year, the award ceremony's MC is fitness and media personality Suzie Clarkson.

Finalists in the New Zealand Fitness Awards are:

Club Awards

Club of the year - 1500+ Members:
• Les Mills Christchurch
• The Gym Tauranga
• Les Mills Britomart, Auckland
• Anytime Fitness – Shirley, Christchurch

Club of the year 500-1500 Members:
• Configure Express – Albany, Auckland
• Onehunga War Memorial Pool, Auckland
• Habit Vero, Auckland
• ABSolute Health & Fitness, Dunedin
• Tepid Baths, Auckland

Club of the year <500 Members:
• Habit Evans Bay, Wellington
• Habit Platinum, Wellington

Studio of the year
• Activ8NZ , Northland
• Zest Fitness Studio, Christchurch

Innovation
• cityfitness Group
• Habit Evans Bay

Outstanding Club Support Award:
• Toni Clough, Auckland
• Salil Warekar, Auckland
• Kristy Loe, Auckland

Community / Education Awards:

Community Award
• Lauren Parsons Wellbeing Specialist
• Active in Age, Taranaki
• YMCA Lagoon Leisure & Fitness Centre, Auckland
• YMCA Ellerslie Recreation Centre, Auckland
• Sport Hawkes Bay

Lecturer of the year
• Richard Greer, Southern Institute of Technology, Christchurch
• Kerry McEvoy, Max International College of Fitness Professionals, Auckland
• Kelly Pender & Cheree Cooper, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Tauranga

Mentor
• Kate Churcher, YMCA Auckland
• Rick White, cityfitness South Island Fitness Manager
• Paul Dunn, Christchurch YMCA

Individual Awards:

Personal Trainer of the year
• Micah Brown, Blenheim
• Alana Joe, Wellington
• Corinne Austin, Whangarei
• Halle Baker, Whangarei
• Greig Rightford, Wellington

Up and coming Personal Trainer of the year
• Jessica Rule, Keri Keri
• Tom Berry, Christchurch
• Amelia-Jane Hoffman, Auckland

Small Group Trainer of the year
• James Stewart, Wellington
• Laurinda Howarth, Auckland
• Matt Harrison, Whangarei
• Lauren Parsons, Palmerston North
• Helen Chisholm, Auckland

Gym Instructor of the year
• Allison Sandquist, Auckland
• Alice Adams, Auckland
• Margaret Lee, Methven
• Toa Su’a, Auckland
• Geoffrey Ruaporo, Auckland

Group Exercise – Freestyle
• Al Neale, Christchurch
• Erin Raines, Christchurch
• Brent Edwards, Auckland

Group Exercise – Pre-choreographed
• Henry Liu, Hamilton
• Elena Ogle, Gisborne
• Daniel Ball, Hamilton
• Natalee Levi, Auckland

Up and Coming Student of the year
• Becky West
• Vicky Zumbraegel
• Pauline Broughton
• Luke Stanway
• Joseph Tuaiti

For more information please contact Richard Beddie, Chief Executive FitnessNZ on email: richard@fitnessnz.co.nz, www.fitnessindustryawards.co.nz

27th November 2012 - LES MILLS CHRISTCHURCH TOPS 2012 NEW ZEALAND FITNESS AWARDS