Celebrating excellence

The winners of the ukactive Awards 2024 were revealed during a ceremony attended by more than 800 people from across the physical activity sector

This year’s ukactive Awards, sponsored by STA, saw winners being picked and celebrated across 16 categories that covered operators, suppliers and individuals. Everyone Active was among the big winners this year, as it claimed the coveted National Club/Centre of the Year Award for its Silksworth Community Pool Tennis and Wellness Centre, as well as three Regional Club of the Year awards, and Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award.

Another was Brimhams Active, being recognised for its wide-ranging inclusion work by picking up the award for the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion category, as well as the Healthy Communities Award for making health an integral part of the way it operates.

The New Build or Design of the Year Award went to GT3 Architects for its work constructing the £21m Morpeth Sports & Leisure Centre in partnership with Northumberland County Council and Active Northumberland. The judges praised the development for its consideration of the environment and praised GT3 for making the site accessible to all those in the area.

GT3’s Paul Reed, who headed the Morpeth project, said the Morpeth Leisure Centre was designed with a sense of civic grandeur befitting of its place within a historic market town in Northumberland.

“We worked closely with Advance Northumberland – the development arm of Northumberland County Council responsible for regeneration – to ensure the design responded to its surroundings,” Reed said. “We wanted the scheme to feel like an extension of the town centre, so we included small details such as a view from the glazed pool hall directly down the high street.”

Individual brilliance

For the individual awards, there was loud applause for Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, who received the Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award for the huge impact she has within the industry. Chosen ahead of fellow finalists, Carolyn Hallam (Health and Wellbeing Manager, Serco) and Sarah Roberts (Head of Fitness, PFP Leisure), Dillon was credited for her unrelenting ambition to ensure that the physical activity sector has a valued and inclusive workforce to help people be more active.

Dillon said: “I’m absolutely honoured and humbled to receive this award. It is a privilege to be nominated alongside Carolyn and Sarah who both contribute so phenomenally to our sector. This all-female line-up shows the immense impact that women are making to the leadership of our sector.

“I’m tremendously proud to be able to work on behalf of, and with, the amazingly talented sport and physical activity workforce, championing the incredible impact that they have on so many lives and communities. I’m indebted to colleagues and friends across the sector for their support and the fact that they have embraced the collaborative approach that underpins and continues to drive CIMSPA and the work that we do.

“The catalyst for that work is the passion and commitment that we see every day from professionals in leisure centres, gyms, pools, community centres, clubs, schools, colleges and universities, sports fields, parks and countless other venues. That’s why I’m so determined to achieve greater recognition of them and our sector more broadly through the work that we do at CIMSPA.

“I want to thank the brilliant CIMSPA team for their support and dedication, it’s a pleasure to lead them and be part of the fantastic culture that we’ve collectively developed.

“Our sector has never been more important in addressing the significant challenges that our country is facing in relation to health and economic growth, and I’ll continue to work to ensure that our potential is fully realised.”

Lorraine Patrinos, People Director at GLL, also received a big round of applause as she was named the winner of the Outstanding Individual Leader Award for her work in designing, driving and implementing organisation change projects for major business impact. The judges had praised her work to support employees across the entire organisation.

Meanwhile, Danii Vipond Houghton, Better Health manager at GLL, took home the Physical Activity Hero Award for her ongoing commitment to inspiring participation among people who do not think being active is for them. Danii’s nomination credited her for bringing more than 5,000 new people through the door, achieving more than 400 Healthwise referrals, and raising over £150,000 in funding towards the sustainability of the leisure services.

Best of the best

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Congratulations to the winners of the ukactive Awards 2024 for your incredible achievements this year and for representing our sector so well. We have one of the most competitive sectors in the world, but beyond this year’s bragging rights, these awards show the fantastic progress our sector is making to grow our impact, supporting a healthier, happier nation.

“This year’s fi nalists are excellent examples of how our sector works tirelessly, day in and day out, to ensure all communities can access and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Thank you to all of the entrants, the fi nalists, the winners and our sponsors for helping us to celebrate our wonderful sector.”

The awards were again sponsored by STA. Dave Candler, CEO of STA, said: “It was fantastic to celebrate all of the industry’s achievements at the ukactive awards this year and to be able to play our part as headline sponsor for a second year. We saw outstanding examples of leadership, creativity, innovation, diversity, and excellence from all the finalists and winners, proving how amazingly talented and resilient the physical activity sector is.

“Congratulations to all the winning individuals, teams, and organisations who have all made such a significantly positive impact on people’s health and well-being over the last 12 months.”