The winners of awards presented at the 2013 Exercise Industry Awards. If you would like to request the full sized version of any of the images below please email awards@exerciseindustryawards.co.nz to request these by email.
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION AWARDS
Community Award, Sponsored by Horleys
Lauren Parsons Wellbeing Specialist, Palmerston North
Thinking outside the four walls of a facility, Lauren Parsons of Palmerston North conceived of and delivered free weekly community walks from a local chemist shop. The walks have attracted almost entirely people new to exercise, and incorporated charity fundraising. What a great initiative for community spirit, and a great way to encourage people into experiencing the benefits of regular structured exercise.
Lecturer of the Year
Kelly Pender and Sheree Cooper, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic
Years of student feedback forms proclaiming Kelly and Sheree as brilliant teachers, motivators, supporters and mentors are testimony to the passion and dedication with which they expertly deliver their trademark fun, innovative, respectful, and simply winning teaching ways.
Yahoo! News Media Coverage 25th November 2013
Mentor of the Year, Sponsored by Drug Free Sport NZ
Rick White, Nelson
With boundless energy, and nonstop phone support, Rick is responsible for a group of sixty-five personal trainers over five different sites, spread from Christchurch to Nelson. And he manages Cityfitness Nelson too! Rick is truly a fitness mentor empowering his team to change lives.
SPECIAL AWARDS
REPs Award – for contribution to professionalism and standards
AUT University
As a REPs Registered Education Provider continuously since the inception of REPs and the largest provider of graduates to our industry. As a long standing CPD provider creating up skilling opportunities for Registered professionals. AUT also provides invaluable support by partnering with Exercise New Zealand to host the national FitEx Conference which provides access to quality Continuing Professional Development for exercise professionals and facilities from around the country. By registering their own exercise facilities as REPs Registered Exercise Facilities since the inception of REPs. By supporting the current review of the REPs pre screening form and guide by providing professional input and technical advice to the expert panel, and also recently as an active member of the national qualification review (TRoQ) over the last 18 months in place to raise the standards of education of exercise professionals.
Fitness NZ Award – for outstanding contribution to the industry
Julz Darroch
Julz is one of those people that isn’t just first in line to offer to help, she’s already half way to proving a solution before we have even thought about the issue. A 20+ year veteran of the industry, Julz has done everyone from owning and managing clubs, instructing, right through to mentoring PTs. Julz has been instrumental in so many industry projects, from support REPs with media releases, though to supporting the industry through workshops and events, and more recently supporting the PT Council in their own development. Julz Darrach, a worthy recipient of the 2013 Exercise Association of New Zealand award.
Skills Active Award – for contribution to workplace education
Michelle Morris
Michelle Morris is the owner of Bodyworx Fitness Centre in Hokitika. Bodyworx opened in May 2007. She is an internationally Qualified Personal Trainer and is a Registered Exercise Professionals . Michelle is a current Registered assessor for the Fitness Industry which ensures her team perform to a very high Standard. Michelle has grown up in the industry with her parents Yvonne and Bruce Reeves who have been in the Fitness Industry for over 25yrs. Yvonne and Bruce still have a Fitness Facility operating in Te Awamutu – Bruce’s Fitness. Michelle and her husband have four children and two grandchildren and have a good understanding about the challenge of work/life Balance. Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge with people to help them reach their full fitness potential.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Group Exercise, Freestyle
Brent Edwards, Auckland
Brent was not at the ceremony to collect his award.
The palpable group energy evident before, during and after Brent’s classes demonstrate how participants simply love what Brent does and how he does it! Our specialist group exercise judges noted Brent’s technical expertise and communication performance was exemplary.
Group Exercise, Pre-Choreographed, Sponsored by APRA and PPNZ
Daniel Ball, Hamilton
The superlatives ‘stylish’ and ‘skillful’ were often quoted amongst participants and judges of Daniel’s group exercise sessions. Daniel’s motivational and technical expertise, and excellent class rapport are deserving of award recognition.
Small Group Training
Matt Harrison, Whangarei
‘Huff and Puff Mondays, Sexy Circuit Tuesday and Feel the Burn Fridays’ provide an insight into the modus operandi of the continued legacy of success in small group training for the Activ8 team. Provided in local parks and venues, Matt’s sessions are delivered with the energy, personal attention and group management that are the hallmarks of great small group trainers.
Gym Instructor of the Year, Sponsored by AUT University
Allison Sandquist, Auckland
Great gym instructors are such a crucial part of the success of any club. Allison’s combination of experience, qualifications, genuine commitment to members and ways of communication make her a great instructor indeed.
Up and coming Student of the year, Sponsored by Les Mills New Zealand
Pauline Broughton, Tauranga
A mother of five, including four year old twins, Pauline is an inspirational success story, from leaving school with no qualifications to graduating in the top three of her course. Pauline is acknowledged as someone who constantly supports and mentors her fellow students learning, and combines academic prowess with a gracious, humble and open manner admired and respected by all.
Yahoo! News Media Coverage 25th November 2013
Outstanding Club Support Award, Sponsored by Belle by Invivo Wines
Toni Clough, Auckland
Toni Clough is pivotal to CLM’s Onehunga War Memorial Pool Fitness Centre. With great zeal for her club, it’s evident that Toni’s support is fundamentally about working towards achieving the best for her members, her team and her local community.
Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year
Jessica Rule, Kerikeri
A personal trainer in a studio on a dairy farm, Jessica’s passion to help primary producers means she is already making her mark and surely has future success imminent. An up and coming, winning personal trainer.
Personal Trainer of the Year, Sponsored by FitnessLife Magazine, JOINT WINNERS
Micah Lindsay-Brown, Blenheim and Greig Rightford, Wellington
Micah: Clients and colleagues comment that Micah is ‘never anything but positive and upbeat’. Fervent client feedback and a waiting list testify to that! Our judges also noted that Micah delivered a faultless, exemplary display of personal training, and combined with great business practices Micah is a deserving co-winner of Personal Trainer of the year.
Marlbrough Express Media Coverage 27th November 2013
Greig: Our personal training expert judges commented that Greig provided a PT session that displayed outstanding communication and technical skills. Greig shows real commitment to incorporating bespoke, up-to-date exercise prescription techniques for a broad range of clients. Such commitment backed up by a clear business plan and engagement with allied professionals are a winning combination in a professional personal trainer.
FACILITY AWARDS
Innovation Award, Sponsored by Eye Fitness
Cityfitness group, Nationwide
The mobile gym, or ‘truck’ as it is affectionately known, is part of a ‘Get Active’ campaign that aims to take fitness to the community. With an engaging series of events involving charity outdoor stationery bike rides, the goal of fifteen million collective calories burned is testimony to innovation with a great purpose!
Exercise Studio
Activ8, Whangarei
Ongoing commitment to personalized service and team culture has been the winning formula for the second consecutive year for the Activ8 team, who continue to deliver an environment in which both personal trainers and members are supported to achieve their best.
Club of the Year (under 500 members), Sponsored by Technogym
Habit Platinum, Wellington
Last year Habit Platinum won this category with their combination of premium service and premium facility. This year they win again, with a continuation of those winning qualities and investment in new developments to continue to raise the bar on award level club operations.
Club of the Year (501-1500 members), Sponsored by Fitnessworks
ABSolute, Dunedin
Our judges noted that ABSolute has the feel of an incredibly friendly family gym. Strong growth in customer satisfaction, retention, and key performance measures are indicative of a progressive and effective operation that actively seeks and responds to genuinely valued member feedback.
Club of the Year (1500+ members)
The Gym Tauranga
Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, The Gym is an outstanding example of a club in one of the most hotly contested marketplaces in the country. The owners’ commitment to business innovation and reinvestment is evident in the club environment, systems in place and exceptional customer satisfaction levels, retention and membership growth.
Runner up:
Les Mills, Christchurch
It seems hard to believe that last year’s winner, Les Mills Christchurch could continue to improve on the outstanding results they delivered in 2011-12. Yet they have, as they lead the Les Mills family with outstanding performances in the membership sales, retention, customer satisfaction and staff satisfaction statistics. Credit must go to Carrie and her team for an outstanding year and for raising the bar to new levels that other clubs must reach and exceed if they want to be worthy winners and snatch the award from these top performers.
Supreme Club of the Year
The Gym Tauranga
Yahoo! News Media Coverage 25th November 2013
Other useful pages:
- Previous winners may be found here.
- A list of finalists for 2013
- If you would like a copy of any photos that you are a part of, please send your requests to awards@exerciseindustryawards.co.nz