Four talented sport and recreation professionals in the running for Skills Active Award

Industry training organisation Skills Active has announced the finalists in its inaugural Apprentice of the Year competition, which recognises high-potential individuals gaining skills and qualifications that will help them improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders, through sport and recreation.

These four hard-working, ambitious and passionate people all completed their Skills Active apprenticeships in sport and recreation disciplines in 2015, and are building successful and rewarding careers in our industries.

The 2016 Skills Active Apprentice of the Year finalists

Bryn Morgans - Personal Trainer at CityFitness Newmarket in Auckland
With a diploma in sport science, and after a few years working in the exercise industry, Morgans completed a Fitness Leader (Personal Trainer) apprenticeship in order to gain a further qualification and grow his skills as a personal trainer. 

Morgan enjoys working one-on-one with clients, and has big plans for helping as many people as he can to get fit and active.

David Mudford - Facility-in-Charge at Regional Aquatics Centre in Wellington
Mudford completed a Recreation and Sport Aquatics Leader (Pool Lifeguard) apprenticeship. He is one of the facility-in-charge staff at Wellington Regional Aquatics Centre, loves working with his team, and has a particular interest in equipment and maintenance.

Jess Reid - Assistant Golf Coach and Retail Manager at Russley Golf Course in Christchurch
Reid completed a Recreation and Sport Coach/Instructor apprenticeship through benchmarked training with PGA New Zealand. She is passionate about coaching and seeing people develop their skills, and especially wishes to promote the game of golf to get more women and young people involved.

Shirlene Spencer - Administrator at Teapot Valley Christian Camp in Nelson
Spencer completed a Recreation and Sport Aquatics Leader (Swim Education) apprenticeship. She was a member of the team at the Richmond Aquatics Centre before taking on an administration role at Teapot Valley Christian Camp. She is passionate about lifelong learning, and loves working with interns who come through the camp to help them complete their industry training.

Queenstown awards ceremony
The Skills Active Apprentice of the Year will be announced on 1st November with the winner to travel to Queenstown to be presented with a trophy and a cheque for $1,000, at the New Zealand Recreation Association prize giving dinner during the NZRA Annual Conference on 10th November.

In a statement, Skills Active explain “sport and recreation is woven into the fabric of the kiwi identity and plays a crucial part in keeping New Zealanders physically, mentally and emotionally well, and strengthening the social ties that bind us. 

“Through this award, Skills Active intends to recognise not just these outstanding individuals, but the invaluable work of the sport and recreation workforce as a whole.” 

For more information on Skills Active go to www.skillsactive.org.nz

Click here for details of the NZRA Annual Conference in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

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