Top industry performers acknowledged at 2010 New Zealand Fitness Awards

Les Mills Takapuna and Manukau Leisure were among the major award winners at the 2010 New Zealand Fitness Awards.

Presented on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Auckland City, Les Mills Takapuna received the Blue Fitness Club of the Year (1,500+ members) award and the Advance Fitness Distribution  Supreme Club of the Year.

Manukau Leisure received the Community and Club Support awards while former Chief Executive Brett Jude received the Fitness New Zealand Contribution to the Industry Award.

The Community Award recognised the Adults in Action programme, run by Manukau Leisure in partnership with South Seas Healthcare, at the Otara and Mangere Community Gyms.

The Club Support Award was presented to Ritua Aliivaa, Operational Team Leader, for her tireless support to all seven of Manukau Leisure’s gyms. Her duties cover everything from HR and recruitment to staff training and club promotion.

Manukau Leisure Fitness Group Manager Lucy Lloyd-Barker and General Manager Caroline Newton were on hand to collect the Community Award presented by Fitness New Zealand, with Newton explaining “our vision is to ensure healthy, vibrant, active communities. That means we don’t just run programmes that appeal to the mainstream; we work hard to encourage the diverse communities that we serve to get active.”

A stand-alone business unit of the recently reorganised Auckland Council, Manukau Leisure is tasked with developing and operating Manukau’s recreation, fitness and aquatic programmes as well as delivering community hall hire and childcare services.

Former Chief Executive Brett Jude (now with CLM) received this year’s Contribution to the Industry. In presenting the Award, Fitness New Zealand Chief Executive Richard Beddie acknowledged Brett’s outstanding leadership skills, stating  “Brett is known as a person who has high values, and has a very loyal following from those around him. Brett not only has achieved financial success in his recent role, but lessened theenvironmental impact of the business, all while increasing visitor numbers and customer satisfaction.”

The 2010 Fitness Industry Awards continued a tradition of celebrating the dedication and success of New Zealand’s world-class fitness industry. Now in their sixth year the Award’s were this year coordinated by industry association, Fitness New Zealand.

Other award winers, and the award sponsors, were:

FACILITY AWARDS
Advance Fitness Distribution – Supreme Club of the Year: Les Mills Takapuna, Auckland
Gravity – Exercise Studio: M1nt Fitness, Christchurch
Dynex – Club of the Year (under 500 members): Heritage Health Club, Christchurch
Advance Fitness Marketing – Club of the Year (501-1,500 members): Arena Gym at Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier
Blue Fitness – Club of the Year (1,500+ members): Les Mills Takapuna, Auckland
Fitnessworks – Innovation Award: The Leisure Centre Hibiscus Coast, Whangaparoa and Les Mills New Zealand (joint winners)
APRA – Facility Sight and Sound Award:  Les Mills, Christchurch

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
HQH – Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year: Tracey Butler, Christchurch
FitnessLife Magazine – Personal Trainer of the Year: Alison Storey, Cambridge
Group Exercise – Freestyle: Erin Raines, Christchurch
Group Exercise – Pre-Choreographed: Scott Agnew, Christchurch
Small Group Training: Grant Hughes, Dunedin
AUT University – Gym Instructor of the Year: Claudia Gallur, Auckland
Federal Print – Outstanding Support: Ritua Allivaa, Auckland

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION AWARDS
Horley’s – Community: Adults in Action, Manukau Leisure Services, Auckland
Bella – Fitness Mentor: Dennis Grennell, Auckland
Lecturer of the Year: Broni McSweeney, CPIT, Christchurch
Peoples Choice: Paul Dunn, Christchurch

SPECIAL AWARDS
REPs Award: Lee Tuki, Canterbury District Health Board
Fitness New Zealand Contribution to the Industry Award: Brett Jude, Auckland
Skills Active Award: John Growcott, Christchurch City Council’s Pioneer Recreation and Sports Centre.

For more information go to www.fitnessindustryawards.co.nz

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