2021 Fitness Australia Award winners announced

The 2021 Australia Fitness Award winners have been announced with 14 business and industry professionals acknowledged across multiple categories recognising the outstanding achievements of the industry over the past 12 months.

More than 1,000 nominations were received across the 12 individual, business and community categories and this year’s finalists include a mix of rural, regional and metro professionals and businesses.

Presented yesterday at a virtual event held by Fitness Australia, the Awards, which included an opening keynote address from Dylan Alcott OAM, recognise and celebrate individuals, businesses and community groups dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Australians by providing exceptional programs and high quality professional services.

Congratulating the Australian Fitness Award winners and noting that the award recipients’ stories of commitment and excellence were outstanding, Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish stated “to our Award winners, everyone announced today has demonstrated the upmost dedication to the health and wellbeing of their communities through consistently delivering high quality services in a professional and safe manner - in a year that has been very challenging for all of us.

“I would also like to extend a thank you to all of our sponsors who supported this year’s event, it’s fantastic to see the entire industry continuing to support each other.”

An expert panel, consisting of a diverse group of industry representatives, conducted a thorough assessment of each finalist across a range of areas including professionalism, customer care, knowledge and skills, safety, and leadership to select the category winners.

2021 Australian Fitness Awards Winners
Boutique Business of the Year
Gunnedah Health & Fitness, Maryanne Perkins, NSW (one year registered)

Club Manager of the Year
Scott Russell Williams, Bikini Bods, NSW (one year registered)

Multi-Service Business of the Year
Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre, David Duignam, Western Australia (two years registered)

Male Personal Trainer of the Year
Joshua Cox, Disability Sports Victoria, Victoria (nine years registered/10 years in March 2022)

Female Personal Trainer of the Year
Suanne Lowery, Fitness Forever, Western Australia (11 years registered)

Community Innovation of the Year 
Toby Newman, Yarra Leisure, Richmond Rec Centre with the Collingwood Estate Gym, VIC (13 years registered)

Student of the Year
Jason Whiter, Academy of Fitness, Victoria (two years registered)

Male Group Exercise Instructor of the Year 
James Clarke, Do You Even Bootcamp!?, Western Australia (seven years registered)

Female Group Exercise Instructor of the Year 
Corinne Blight, Limitless Fitness and Nutrition, NSW (seven years registered)

Educator of the Year
Michelle (Mish) Wright, MishFit Education, Victoria (nine years registered)

Mental Awareness Program of the Year
Urban Fitness Solutions, Leila Sithole, NSW (14 years registered)

Quality Accredited Business of the Year
Aqua Pulse, Eagle Stadium, Victoria (four years registered)

Life Time Member Awards
Jill Elizabeth Healy-Quintard
Dominic Yam

Member Love Award 
Xtend Barre (pictured).