ukactive has today (23 July) revealed the finalists for the ukactive Awards 2024, marking one of the most anticipated moments in the physical activity sector’s calendar. 

Entries were received from the full breadth of the sector, with organisations, operators and suppliers of all sizes, from across the private, public and independent sectors, hoping to take home one of the industry’s most coveted prizes. 

Finalists have been named across 14 categories, with the winners set to be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony taking place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday 3 October 2024.  

The National Club/Centre of the Year and Outstanding Organisation Awards will also be revealed on the night. 

This year’s categories include new additions, with the Outstanding Leadership Award now separated into two individual awards; one for an Outstanding Individual Leader and the other for an Outstanding Leadership Team.  

The judging process for the awards has been led by Proinsight, an independent organisation using highly experienced professionals with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to provide honest and objective feedback for each entry. 

Check below to see the full list of finalists for 2024. 

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “This year we have seen the ukactive Awards reach a new level of competitiveness, giving our judges their toughest task yet to choose from such a fantastic range of entries and nominations. 

“The ukactive Awards are the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work that individuals, organisations and partners do every day to keep the nation active and healthy and we can’t wait to welcome as many people as possible to celebrate with us on the night.” 

Ali Beckman, STA’s President and the headline sponsor for the ukactive Awards, said: “This year’s finalists have all shown true innovation and creativity and should be congratulated. Their achievements and what they have done to help promote and advance the physical activity agenda is incredible, and we wish them all the best of luck through the second stage of the ukactive Awards.” 

Chloe Kinch, Director of Client Success at Proinsight,said: “As we enter our 3rd year of assessing the Stage 1 applications, we are once again blown away by the quality of applicants, year on year the submissions get better and better, alongside a record number of applications for 2024, we are now incredibly excited to see the finalists come together at the awards on the 3rd of October to see who will take the trophy for each category!”

The ukactive Awards will take place in Birmingham on Thursday 3 October 2024. All finalists will receive promotional details and watch this space for details on tickets to the awards night.
 
The finalists for the ukactive Awards 2024:

Regional Club/Centre of the Year 
North  
Everyone Active – Redcar Leisure Centre 
Everyone Active – Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre 
Ribby Hall – The Health Club Ribby Hall Village 
Everyone Active – Wythenshawe Forum 
Fusion Lifestyle – The City Baths‚ Newcastle 
GLL – York Stadium Leisure Complex 
 
Midlands 
Branston Golf & Country Club 
Everyone Active – Hucknall Leisure Centre 
Everyone Active – Moorways Sports Village 
Everyone Active – Whitwick & Coalville Leisure Centre 
Serco – Northfield Leisure Centre 
SLT Leisure – Sandwell Aquatics Centre 
 
London 
Everyone Active – Flitwick Leisure Centre 
Everyone Active – Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre 
Foundry – Foundry North Kensington 
GLL – Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex 
GLL – Kentish Town Sports Centre 
GLL – Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre 
 
South 
Alive West Norfolk – Alive Lynnsport 
Everyone Active – Chilterns Lifestyle Centre 
Everyone Active – Winchester Sport & Leisure Park 
Fusion Lifestyle – Herons Leisure Centre 
GLL – Donyngs Leisure Centre 
Hilton – LivingWell Health Club Reading 
 
Northern Ireland & Wales 
Antrim and Newtownabbey – Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre 
Denbighshire Leisure – Club Rhyl 
Freedom Leisure – Brecon Leisure Centre 
Freedom Leisure – LC Swansea 
Freedom Leisure – Wrexham Waterworld 
GLL – Girdwood Community Hub 
 
Scotland 
Douglas Sports Centre – Douglas Sports Centre 
Edinburgh Leisure – Gracemount Leisure Centre 
 
Supplier of the Year 
Active IQ 
Fitco Retail 
Good Boost 
myFitApp 
PERFECTGYM SOLUTIONS 
Risk HQ 
ServiceSport UK 
Xplor Gym 
 
New Build or Design of the Year 
Alliance Leisure – DCC 
Alliance Leisure – LBBD 
Future Studios 
GLL 
GT3 
Sandwell MBC 
Serco Leisure 
University of Portsmouth 
 
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award 
Brimhams Active 
Everyone Active – Westgate Leisure Centre 
Everyone Active S L M 
Freedom Leisure 
Freedom Leisure (LGBTQIA+ Badminton) 
Life Leisure 
Places Leisure 
Sport Aberdeen 
 
Healthy Communities Award 
Actif Sport & Leisure 
Brimhams Active 
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd 
Everyone Active 
Fulham Reach Boat Club 
Fusion Lifestyle 
Horizon Leisure Trust 
Liverpool City Council 
 
Organisation Innovation Award 
Denbighshire Leisure Limited 
Egym UK Ltd 
Jubilee Hall Trust and Central YMCA 
Les Mills UK 
MAVERICKS Life Co. 
PURE ENERGY GO 
Serco Leisure – Lilleshall House & Gardens 
Serco Leisure – Serco Leisure 
 
Marketing Campaign Award 
Alliance Leisure with Southwark Council 
BPL (Barnsley Premier Leisure) 
Denbighshire Leisure Limited 
Halo Leisure 
Inverclyde Leisure 
Life Leisure 
Serco Leisure Operating Limited 
University of Leeds 
 
Digital Transformation Award 
Brawn 
Central YMCA (YMCA Awards) 
Durham County Council 
Parkwood Leisure 
Snap Fitness 
 
Education Provider of the Year 
Active IQ 
Central YMCA 
Freedom Leisure 
Future Fit 
OriGym Centre of Excellence 
Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) 
Study Active 
 
Physical Activity Hero Award 
Avril Clerkson 
Danii Vipond Haughton 
Dawn Page 
Gina McGregor 
Helen Chidgey 
Joe Hughes 
Lisa Graham 
Nicole Fox 
 
Outstanding Individual Leadership Award 
Jacqui Tillman 
Jamie Groves 
Lorraine Patrinos 
Matt Wickham 
Michael Hirst 
Rowland Omamor 
 
Outstanding Team Leadership Award 
Active IQ Senior Leadership Team 
Alliance Leisure Development Board 
DLL Executive Management Team 
InspireAll – Swimming Management Leadership Team 
Must Win Battles Team 
The Jubilee Hall Trust Leadership Team 
 
BUCS – Physical Activity Excellence Award 
Northumbria University  
Nottingham Trent University 
University of Surrey 
 
The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award 
Carolyn Hallam – Health and Wellbeing Manager, Serco 
Sarah Roberts – Head of Fitness, PFP Leisure 
Tara Dillon – CEO, CIMSPA 
 
This Special Recognition Award follows a separate process and the winner will be announced on the night.

The London Aquatics Centre has been named as the venue to kick-off National Fitness Day 2024 (18 September), with the summer of sport set to reach its climax during celebrations in communities across the nation.

National Fitness Day is the UK’s most active day of the year and ukactive has partnered with operator Everyone Active to host the kick-off at the famous Olympic venue which is now used to support people to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

The kick-off event at the Aquatics Centre will see special guests join a series of group classes and sessions designed to help people of all ages to be more active, whether they aspire to win gold one day or simply to have fun and stay healthy.

Thousands more activities will be taking place across the nation on Wednesday 18 September, as ukactive’s members use the campaign’s theme, ‘Your Health is for Life’, to help millions of people from all communities, ages and backgrounds to celebrate the benefits of physical activity at every stage of life.

Now in its 13th year, National Fitness Day sees gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, studios, schools, workplaces, and online providers encourage as many people as possible to try something new and reap the physical, social and mental benefits of being more active.

Last year, 10.2 million people in the UK were directly motivated to participate in some form of activity on National Fitness Day and the campaign had a global media reach of 57.2 million, with 31.3 million engaging on social media.  The kick-off was hosted at Salford Sports Village with GM Active and participants from its Prehab4Cancer programme.

Today’s announcement comes as ukactive launches its new National Fitness Day website, featuring fresh new branding for the campaign. It includes a new digital campaign toolkit which is available to download for free so activity providers of all sizes can benefit from handy tips and resources, such as a guide to hosting and promoting events, posters and social media tiles. The website includes a shop, hosted by P81, offering National Fitness Day merchandise such as hats, t-shirts and water bottles, available at wholesale rates.

This year National Fitness Day concludes a summer of sport during which Team GB competes at the Olympics Games in July and August and the Paralympics in August and September, following Scotland and England competing at the men’s Euros.

Everyone Active’s London Aquatics Centre, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, was home to countless events during the London 2012 Olympics and now attracts more than a million visits annually for community use and its ‘learn to swim’ programmes.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “We’re delighted to announce the London Aquatics Centre as the launch venue for this year’s National Fitness Day.

“Twelve years ago, this place brought joy to the whole nation and today its pools, studios and gyms play an even greater role, supporting the physical and mental health of people in the community, alongside thousands of other facilities in communities across the UK.

“National Fitness Day is a reminder that your health is for life, and this is a chance to recognise and celebrate the array of incredible options and places that can help us to be active from childhood to our twilight years.

“Whether it’s your first time trying a new activity, a chance to rediscover a passion or making a commitment to maintain the habit year-round, we want everyone to get involved to make National Fitness Day 2024 our biggest celebration yet.”

Jacqui Tillman, Aquatics and Wellbeing Director at Everyone Active ,said: “Hosting the launch of National Fitness Day 2024 at the iconic London Aquatics Centre is an incredible milestone for us. As long-time supporters of this campaign, there’s no better way to celebrate our management of this world-class venue than by hosting such a respected event.

“The venue has transformed from an Olympic stage to a vibrant community hub engaging with the neighbourhood in which it resides. Launching this nationwide celebration here allows us to honour both our Olympic heritage and highlight the diverse array of activities available to all.

“We stand firmly behind this year’s theme, ‘Your Health is for Life’ which perfectly aligns with Everyone Actives Purpose: Working together to Transform the Wellbeing of Communities.  We’re committed to supporting lifelong fitness journeys, reinforcing that health and wellness are truly lifelong pursuits.”

National Fitness Day 2024 will take place in partnership with men’s mental health charity, Movember, and fitness brand Endurance Zone. Movember will help the campaign to raise awareness around the importance of mental health and the links between being physically active and improving our mental health.

The Fitness Day Rewards App from Endurance Zone is available to download from all app stores – the more you move, the more points you acquire that can be redeemed on prizes and discounts on the nation’s favourite brands.
National Fitness Day was founded by énergie Fitness in 2011 before being gifted to ukactive in 2014 to expand as the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector.

For more information and to download your free toolkit check out the new National Fitness Day website: www.nationalfitnessday.com.

The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) has issued the following statement following the result of the 2024 General Election.

We welcome the newly elected Labour Government and look forward to working with it to unlock the full potential of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector to achieve the five missions set out in its manifesto.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces an in-tray including a physical and mental health crisis across all ages, a stagnant economy, concerns about community safety and growing inequalities.

The sport, recreation and physical activity sector can play a major role in addressing these challenges and transforming the lives of millions by improving physical, mental and social wellbeing from childhood onwards; taking pressure off the NHS; creating a healthier, more productive workforce; fostering community cohesion; reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; and strengthening PE and school sport.

Rather than an after-thought, the principle of getting more people, more active, more often must be embedded as a priority right across Whitehall. It needs to be led from the very top of Government and it needs to be backed by proper investment.

We call on the new Government to pledge to make the UK the most physically active nation in Europe. This is no small task, but the prize is enormous: it would deliver an additional £3.6bn in economic growth, £1bn in NHS savings and £71bn in wellbeing benefits.

The new Government has the opportunity to work with our sector, take the lead, and drive that change. The sport, recreation and physical activity sector stands ready to play its part in delivering a healthier, happier nation.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The challenges facing the UK today mean the new Government has an incredible opportunity to deploy our sector to transform public health and stimulate economic growth.  

“Our nation’s health challenges have never been starker, but we are fueled by hope because if we can unlock our sector’s potential and give more people the chance to be physically active, we can transform our nation’s future.  

“Gyms, pools, and leisure centres form the fabric of our communities, providing a safe and supportive environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to be active together.  

“Today they also represent frontline support for the NHS, as the home to rehabilitation and treatment for a growing range of health conditions, supporting people to get healthy and back into work.  

“The new Government must work at pace to scale and integrate these services with the NHS, support the long-term sustainability of public leisure, and use the tax and regulatory levers at its disposal to expand our reach.  

“There can be no growth without health and ukactive is committed to working with the new Government to ensure our sector can play its fullest role.” 
 
About the National Sector Partners Group

The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) includes the following organisations:

• Active Partnerships
• Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
• Sport for Development Coalition
• Sport and Recreation Alliance
• ukactive
• Youth Sport Trust

The World Health Organization has warned that 1.8 billion people are at risk of diseases such as cancer, stroke, dementia and diabetes due to a lack of physical activity.

In the UK, it reports that one in five adults are classed as inactive, getting less than 30 minutes of exercise a week. Considering we face a national health crisis, why has there been no mention of this from our political leaders during the election campaign?

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has questioned the plans of both main political parties following the analysis of their manifestos, querying how the urgent changes to our public services can be delivered within existing fiscal constraints. Both parties claim they can generate economic growth if elected, however,we do know that for growth to be achieved, we need a healthy workforce. There can be no growth without health.

Previous governments have taken a short-term focus, and it is about time prevention is viewed as the cure, rather than waiting until people’s health conditions decline so much that they are left with no other choice than to get to the hospital. 

This is exactly what the nation wants to see. Our new survey shows that 85% of adults in the UK want the next Government to invest in long-term, lifestyle-focused solutions for the prevention of obesity and health conditions, rather than more spending more on weight-loss drugs. People are wary of quick fixes and those over 55 know this better than anyone, with 93% of this cohort favouring a long-term solution.

What an incoming Government needs to realise is that physical activity is an essential part of any strategy for health and growth. Physical activity has been proven to prevent more than 20 chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, many types of cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, depression, anxiety, and dementia – generating more than £5.2 billion in healthcare savings a year.
Whoever takes the keys to Number 10 this week has the chance to reduce our health inequalities, support the growth of the economy by getting people back into work, and help relieve the extreme pressures on the NHS. Finding ways to support the nation to be more active is essential.

We have more than 7,000 gyms, pools and leisure centres across the UK and they are ready to do so much more if given the opportunity to grow their services and programmes. In Ireland the Government has already introduced permanent reductions in VAT for physical activity services and this resulted in a significant increase in physical activity levels.

Our survey also found that 61% of people, given the choice by their doctor, would prefer to receive treatment or support for a health condition or injury in a gym, leisure centre or pool over a hospital. These facilities are already running successful programmes and pilots for many health conditions, including cancer rehabilitation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain. We need a government with the vision and willpower to help scale these pilots and programmes and support our sector to tackle these issues nationally.

The nation wants long-term health solutions that work and for the next Government there’s no time to waste.

See the full results of our public polling with Savanta, here.

To learn more about ukactive’s policy calls, download our policy paper. For more information or support please email: [email protected]

By Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive

• Eight in 10 (85%) UK adults would prefer the next Government to invest in the longterm prevention of obesity and other health conditions rather than weight-loss drugs.
• National health poll by ukactive shows 62% think that the main political parties are not doing enough to support and treat the mental health crisis across the UK.
• Given the choice by a doctor, 61% of Brits would opt to receive treatment for an injury or health condition at a gym, pool or leisure centre rather than a hospital.
• ukactive is calling for the next Government to work with the physical activity sector to create a long-term plan to support the nation’s health and boost the economy.

Eight in 10 (85%) Brits want to see the next Government invest more in preventing obesity and health conditions rather than treating them with weight-loss drugs, according to a survey by ukactive.

As the General Election reaches its conclusion, polling from Savanta commissioned by ukactive, reveals the nation’s priorities when it comes to health, physical activity and wellbeing.

The findings reveal a clear demand from the public to prioritise preventative health solutions that benefit the nation physically and mentally – and an appreciation of the need to reduce pressure on hospitals and the NHS.

Asked which is a greater priority, rather than opting for the Government investing more in weight-loss drugs, 85% of respondents chose lifestyle support, for example, for the longterm prevention of obesity and related health conditions. Long-term prevention was particularly popular among those aged 55 and over, with 93% preferring this as the priority.

According to figures from Sport England’s latest Active Lives survey, a quarter of adults in the UK are classed as physically inactive, meaning they average less than 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a week. Guidelines from the Chief Medical Officer recommend at least 150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) a week.

While the weight-loss drug semaglutide has been viewed by some as the answer to growing levels of obesity, health professionals have raised concerns about the risks of it being used unnecessarily, citing “life-threatening complications” for those misusing the drug.

Reported side effects range from nausea, stomach aches and vomiting to kidney failure. The NHS has already called for an overhaul of how the drug is being prescribed.

Physical activity can help to prevent more than 20 chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, many types of cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, depression, anxiety, and dementia – generating more than £5.2 billion in healthcare savings a year.

Further solutions for the NHS emerged with sixty-one per cent of survey respondents saying that if their doctor gave them the choice, they would prefer to receive treatment or support for a health condition or injury in a gym, leisure centre or pool over a hospital (39%). Receiving treatment in these community settings would help to meet the demands on health services.

The NHS is experiencing extreme pressures, with waiting lists reaching 7.57 million. Fitness and leisure facilities are already running successful programmes and pilots for many health conditions, including cancer rehabilitation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as back pain, but there is huge potential to scale them nationally with government support.

Fitness and leisure facilities are already running successful programmes and pilots for many health conditions, including cancer rehabilitation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as back pain, but there is huge potential to scale them nationally with government support.

The survey also found that 62% of respondents think the main political parties are not doing enough to support and treat the mental health crisis across the UK.

One in four people experience a diagnosable mental illness each year, according to the Mental Health Foundation. And a report by the Resolution Foundation found one in 20 young people are ‘economically inactive’ due to ill-health, with mental health issues recognised as a leading cause.

Physical activity is shown to support mental health, improve sleep, build social connections and boost productivity, meaning it has an essential role in improving overall health and the economy.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “This survey shows that the answer to our nation’s physical and mental health crisis lies not in a pill but in supporting people to lead healthier, happier, more active lives.

“There can be no growth without health, so it is vital the next Government works with our sector on sustainable solutions that support people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
“As the nation heads to the polls, the UK has a unique opportunity to challenge its historic short-term response to health and instead build preventative plans that utilises all levers at its disposal.

“We must make physical activity part of the strategy and deploy our nation’s gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres to help reduce health inequalities, support the NHS, improve mental health and boost the economy.”

*The consumer poll was carried out by Savanta in June 2024 and polled 2,732 people.

As we enter the final stretch of the 2024 General Election, the latest polls show little has really changed since the starting gun was fired on 22 May, with Labour still holding a clear lead and predictions growing of a landslide. Despite this, there have been plenty of warnings of the dangers of complacency at this stage.  

While the chance for the main parties to land a major policy blow in the manifestos came and went, the lack of impact has led to more publicity for those on the fringes. The risk of complacency extends to public debate, particularly given the wider context and the rise of the far-right during elections across Europe.  

As smaller parties look to make their mark on the map come polling day, Reform's 'contract' manifesto was released on Monday. Nigel Farage pledged to get migration under control and cut taxes for smaller businesses, however, the Institute for Fiscal Studies cast doubt on the numbers underpinning the party's tax and spending plans, as did Sky's Economics and Data Editor, Ed Conway, who has provided excellent analysis throughout. 

For Labour, Keir Starmer began the week with a visit to Bristol Rovers FC with Shadow Secretary of State for Sport, Thangam Debbonaire, to discuss plans to bring forward the football governance bill. Labour also set out proposals for 350 new 'bank hubs' in towns and villages across Britain over the next five years.  

The SNP released its manifesto on Wednesday, with a clear dividing line on Brexit. It also reinforced that its MPs would demand the full devolution of tax, aiming to make VAT a devolved matter. We are continuing to engage with the parties in Scotland to recognise the potential of the sector, and our latest public poll (covered by the Daily Mail) provided further evidence for action. Our latest Member Network event was hosted in Glasgow on Thursday and proved an excellent forum for discussion and support. 

Wednesday also saw some positive news finally arrive for the Conservatives, with inflation dropping to 2% for the first time in three years. However, Rishi Sunak still received a frosty reception during an hour-long phone-in on LBC.  

In terms of the media, aside from betting scandals and personal attacks, the campaign has given us little to remember, with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey's adventure stunts stealing the front pages. A survey by More in Common was telling – the most frequent adjectives used by people to describe how they felt about the campaign were: boring, negative, indifferent, confused and rubbish. Fake news also continues to pose a risk, with Labour's Wes Streeting flagging a deepfake on social media which had been doctored to show him insulting Diane Abbott on Politics Live. 

Despite the policy vacuum, our team has been working to cut through the noise and help distinguish fact from fiction for our members. We have been engaging candidates from the main parties, collaborating with our sector partners and supporters to speak with one voice, and briefing journalists at every opportunity. It was hugely encouraging to see so much support for our letter to party leaders, which earned coverage on Sky News and the Today programme. Our CEO, Huw Edwards, also joined BBC Radio London in the studio to talk in more detail about the opportunity facing a new Government.

With just under two weeks to go, we will continue conversations with prospective parliamentary candidates across the UK (get involved using our template email) and the media, which also supports preparations for the transition to the post-election period. Look out for our next wave of public polling results, as well as the final blog in our GE24 series before the votes are counted on 4 July. 

To learn more about ukactive's policy calls, download our policy paper. For more information or support please email: [email protected]
 
By Rob Gibson, Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs at ukactive