And the award goes to…

The winners of the ukactive Awards 2025 were announced at a glitzy event held at the ICC in Birmingham in October. The awards, first launched in 2018, showcase the best of the physical activity industry across private and public operators, businesses, organisations, individuals and teams

The 2025 ukactive Awards saw 22 winners being celebrated across a wide range of categories. For this year’s edition – and following an industry review – three new award categories were introduced for the coveted Club/Centre of the Year, to acknowledge the different operator types within the sector. Salisbury Health & Fitness Club, operated by Legacy Leisure Limited, won the National Private Club/ Centre of the Year Award, while The Thames Club won the National Independent Club of the Year. Freedom Leisure’s Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre won the Outstanding Public Club/Centre of the Year.

Sandwell Leisure Trust was recognised for its vision for transformation and impact, picking up the Digital Transformation Award. Its senior leadership team were also the proud winners of the industry vote for the Outstanding Leadership Team Award, which recognised their ability to overcome significant barriers while always putting community at the heart of what they do.

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd won the Marketing Campaign Award for its Olympics Campaign which worked to engage people who would not otherwise have entered a gym and saw incredible success in targeting this audience. Endurance Zone secured the Supplier of the Year Award, with the judging panel praising its creation of products that align with ukactive’s mission and ongoing commitment to promoting physical activity.

Personal success was also celebrated as Sarah Watts, Founder & CEO of Alliance Leisure, was handed the Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award. The Outstanding Individual Leadership Award went to Jo Talbot, Commercial Director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).

The night also saw Everyone Active win three Regional Club/Centre of the Year Awards, including East Anglia & Midlands, London, and South of England.

Elsewhere, Arlene McMinn, Health Intervention Officer at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, took home the Physical Activity Hero Award, in recognition of her success in running a series of inclusive health programmes which help build confidence, connection and community.

Commenting on the awards, Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The awards shine a light on the tireless work that takes place in our organisations and facilities across the UK to help people and communities access the benefits of physical activity.

“Every story from our Awards highlights the positive change that our sector brings to the health and happiness of our nation. Thank you to all of the entrants, winners and our sponsors for celebrating the very best of the sector.”

The awards were sponsored by the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA). Ali Beckman, President of the STA, said: “The passion, creativity and leadership shown across all categories continues to drive the physical activity sector forward, setting new standards of excellence and inspiring positive change throughout the industry.

“As headline sponsors for the third consecutive year, STA is immensely proud to play a part in honouring these remarkable achievements. As a national charity dedicated to the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and promoting physical activity for all, we share ukactive’s commitment to championing excellence and celebrating those making a real difference in communities across the UK.”

The full list of awards

National Private Club / Centre of the Year Salisbury Health & Fitness Club – Legacy Leisure Limited National Independent Club / Centre of the Year The Thames Club

Regional Public Clubs / Centres of the Year WALES & NORTHERN IRELAND Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre – Freedom Leisure SCOTLAND Xcite Linlithgow – West Lothian Leisure NORTH OF ENGLAND GLL – York Leisure Centre EAST ANGLIA & MIDLANDS Everyone Active – Meadowside Leisure Centre LONDON Everyone Active – Flitwick Leisure Centre SOUTH OF ENGLAND Everyone Active – Winchester Sport & Leisure Park

Supplier of the Year Endurance Zone Build, Design or Refurbishment of the Year Roberts Limbrick & Alliance Leisure – Warsop Health Hub Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award Lex Leisure CIC Healthy Communities Award Pendle Leisure Trust Organisation Innovation Award West Lothian Leisure Marketing Campaign Award Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, The Olympics Campaign Digital Transformation Award Sandwell Leisure Trust Education Programme of the Year Brio Leisure Physical Activity Hero Award Arlene McMinn, Health Intervention Officer – Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Outstanding Individual Leadership Award Jo Talbot, Commercial Director – Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) Outstanding Leadership Award Sandwell Leisure Trust Leadership Team The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award Sarah Watts, CEO – Alliance Leisure Outstanding Public Club / Centre of the Year Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre – Freedom Leisure Outstanding Organisation of the Year Brio Leisure