Fitness Australia names 2021 industry award finalists

Fitness Australia has revealed the finalists in its 2021 Australian Fitness Awards - recognising and celebrating individuals, businesses and community groups dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of all Australian communities. 

This year’s award winners will be announced from 2.30pm on Friday 15th October as part of the FILEX Virtual Series 2021, which will include an opening keynote address from who is a Paralympic Gold Medallist, World Champion, Wimbledon and grand slam winner and inspirational speaker, Dylan Alcott.

Acknowledging the outstanding work of the 2021 Australian Fitness Awards finalists showcased the professionalism and endurance and toughness of the nation’s fitness industry despite pandemic challenges over the past 18 months, Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish stated “every finalist has shown incredible commitment to their profession and their community over the past 18 months. Whether it is through professional development to ensure they are providing clients with safe and quality services or creating community programs which break down barriers to participation and encourage involvement across a diverse range of different groups.

“The grit and determination of our industry during this time has been overwhelming. I’m immensely proud of every single Fitness Australia member and these awards are a fantastic was to celebrate our achievements and congratulate our finalists and category winners who will be announced in a few weeks.”

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.

This year’s judging panel included: 
• Amanda Bracks, Studio Owner, Soulful Fitness 
• Cheye Hill, Manager Leisure Facilities, Port Hedland Leisure Centre 
• Dan Jolley, Coordinator - Fitness & Sport, South Metropolitan TAFE 
• Betul Sekendiz, Program Manager, International Sport College Australia 
• John Holsinger, Director APAC, IHRSA (International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association) 
• Justin Tamsett, Director APAC, Active Management 
• Kristen Green, General Manager, Aquafit Health Fitness Wellbeing 
• Mish Wright, Director APAC, Mish Fit 

2021 Fitness Australia Awards - Category Finalists 
Quality Accredited Business of the Year 
• Armadale Fitness Aquatic Centre 
• AquaPulse 
• Eagle Stadium 
• The Fit Lab Health and Fitness Centre 
• Fitness Energy 
• Sunshine Leisure Centre 

Female Personal Trainer of the Year 
• Sally McWilliam  
• Emma Chapman  
• Jeanette Herrington 
• Suanne Lowery 
• Natalie Jones 
• Claire Buechel  
• Shanaye Kuntze   
• Anna Liptak 
• Suzanne Stembridge   
• Louise Stoddart 
• Jessica McGrath  
• Snezana Pezzin   
• Linda Terlikar-Legras 

Male Personal Trainer of the Year 
• David Murray 
• Christopher Kostrzewa 
• Timo Topp 
• Sheay Wheeler  
• Michael Yarnold   
• Dmitrijus Koganas  
• Joshua Cox 
• Steven Trott  
• Matthew Mazzaferro  
• Stewart Sewell 
• Aaron Clark  
• Jason Theobald  

Female Group Exercise Instructor of the Year 
• Kristy L Curtis  
• Lauren Antonenko 
• Alycia Dean  
• Jessica Galpin  
• Sarah Magi 
• Liana Quach  
• Jill Healy-Quintard 
• Carren Nicolson 
• Paris Wages  
• Karen Stuart  
• Corinne Blight  

Male Group Exercise Instructor of the Year 
• Steven Bingley  
• James Clarke  
• Scott Fox 
• Jase Lydom  
• David Martin-Forero Peña  
• Cameron Marsh  
• Ferri Malik  
• Richard Boxer 
• Brett Carlsson  
• Mark Meyer  
• Mark Powell  
• Simon Ngo  
• Mani Bhusal  

Student of the Year  
• Marty Fry  
• Noah Barone  
• Dylan Russell  
• Lana bright  
• Jason Whiter  
• Tyrin Waina  
• Olivia Skalko  
• Januel Godinez  
• Andree Houlden  
• Claire Jenkins  
• Tanisha Thomson  

Club Manager of the Year 
• Cassandra Boak  
• Vivienne Ruth Webb  
• Quintin Venter 
• Peter Bawhey  
• Nic Gannon  
• Jasmine Rizzi  
• Mark Meyer  
• Scott Russell Williams  
• Olivia Plane  
• John Clark  

Educator of the Year 
• Tom Merriman  
• Dundee Kim 
• Michelle (Mish) Wright  
• Hays Daewoud 
• Kristen Beck 
• Sharon Neish  
• Philip Sherriff  
• Vivienne Abraham  
• Amanda O'Driscoll  
• Lisa Cosson  

Mental Health Awareness Program 
• Leanne Simpson - Balance Minder  
• Fitness Playground  
• Simone Kay t/a Train for LIFE  
• Jenny Harrison 
• Leila Sithole  
• Lachlan Dansie  
• Zenergy Yoga 
• Fit For 2 - Total Pregnancy Fitness  
• Fitness Enhancement Personal Training  
• Beyond the Barbell  

Community Innovation of the Year 
• Ariyttam Pty Ltd t/as A STATE OF RIDE  
• Fit Fantastic 
• YarraLeisuree - Richmond Rec Centre  
• ‘Roll Back the Clock’, North Beach presented by Jeanette Herrington on behalf of Bowls Australia 
• Live Once Fitness  
• Celebrating Abilities Inc  
• Belgravia Leisure  
• St Albans Pop Up Gym  
• YMCA Victoria  
• Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton  

Boutique Buinsess of the Year 
• FitSlim  
• the HIIT Factory, Bairndale  
• Fit Baby Boomers (Aus)  
• The Fit Shop Bayside 
• Champion FIT  
• Inner Athlete Fitness Energy  
• Fit For 2 - Total Pregnancy Fitness  
• Gunnedah Health & Fitness Co 

Multi-Service Business of the Year 
• Aquafit Health Fitness Wellbeing - RFB  
• Goldfields Oasis 
• 5th Element Wellness  
• Trend Fitness  
• Fitness Playground - RFB 
• Active Farmers - RFB 
• Michael Clarke Recreation Centre  
• Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre - RFB  
• Somerset Health and Fitness Pty Ltd  
• World Gym Australia - RFB  
• Xcell Health and Fitness

Fitness AUS awards
• AFL
• Defamantion 
• Climb

Click here to register for the free virtual awards event on Friday 15th October.  

Image: Armadale Fitness Aquatic Centre, a finalist in the Quality Accredited Business of the Year category.