Manukau Leisure takes two national fitness awards
Manukau Leisure takes two national fitness awards
Manukau Leisure successfully scooped two of the prestigious awards at the New Zealand Fitness Awards held on Saturday 27 November at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Auckland City; they took the ‘Community Award’ and the ‘Club Support’ individual 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.
Fitness group manager Lucy Lloyd-Barker and general manager Caroline Newton were on hand to collect the Community Award presented by Fitness New Zealand. Manukau Leisure was commended by the judges for running a programme that encouraged community members into exercise who would have otherwise never entered a gym.
“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,” says Ms Newton.
A stand-alone business unit of 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.
Manukau Leisure had seven finalists in the running for 2010 fitness industry awards. In addition to the two winners, the Manukau Leisure camp comprised Marina Fitness – finalist Club of the Year (under 500 members), Manurewa Aquatic Centre – finalist Club of the Year (1500+ members), Taroi Tofilau – finalist Gym Instructor of the Year, Marina Fitness – finalist Sight and Sound, and Sydney Dickenson – finalist People’s Choice.
The 2010 Fitness Industry Awards continued a tradition of celebrating the dedication and success of New Zealand’s world-class fitness leaders and the important role they play in the health of our society. The event is now in its sixth year and was this year coordinated by industry association, Fitness New Zealand.
Judging for the awards is a rigorous process that includes assessment by a panel, mystery shopping and member testimony, and is presided over by senior lecturer in fitness and exercise at AUT Dr Nigel Harris.
ENDS