It’s time to celebrate Australia’s best fitness professionals, businesses and community groups.
Australia’s peak industry association, Fitness Australia, has opened nominations for the annual Australian Fitness Awards, which honour industry professionals and businesses showcasing exceptional commitment, passion and dedication to improving the lives of others through exercise.
Following a tumultuous 12 months of lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions, Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said it was time celebrate those in the industry who have gone above the call of duty to deliver vital exercise programs and services to ensure people can continue to look after their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Mr Elvish said:
“The fitness industry has so many outstanding individuals and businesses who, despite facing overwhelming challenges over the past 12 months, have continued to deliver exceptional service and programs to ensure our community has kept active and healthy. The benefits exercise has on our overall health, especially our mental health when we are faced with uncertainly, change and isolation, cannot be underestimated.”
“This year’s awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and honour Fitness Australia members who have continued to put their clients and gym members first, adapted programs, gone online and provided ongoing, unwavering support to keep people motivated and on track with their fitness goals. This is despite many of them facing their own personal and professional uncertainly with forced shutdowns and reduced operations.
“Our awards also honour community groups who offer exercise programs or initiatives to the broader community at little or no costs. These programs are vital in reaching those parts of our community who might otherwise find it difficult to access a gym or fitness centre; or even an outdoor program.”
The Australia Fitness Awards cover three segments – Individual, Business and Community. This year will also see the return of the Awards of Honour featuring the Roll of Honour inductee/s and Chair’s Award.
Last year’s Personal Trainer of the Year Winner Daniel Munro from Macarthur in NSW said the award was a significant achievement and said this year’s awards were set to be even more memorable.
Daniel said:
“It was a huge honour to be named a category winner in the 2020 Australian Fitness Awards – to be recognised by your peers and peak industry association Fitness Australia is a great personal achievement for me.”
“This year’s awards are set to be even more special as the nominees will most likely be nominated based on all of their hard work and perseverance throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. I’m personally looking forward to seeing so many different stories of triumph from this time and I think the 2021 Fitness Award provides a great opportunity to nominate a Fitness Australia member or organisation deserving of the recognition! Celebrating success and achievement across our industry is so important.”
Full judging criteria, eligibility and nominations is available https://awards.fitness.org.au/
The 2021 Australian Fitness Award would not be possible without the support of industry sponsors including Guild, NPE, COM, Technogym, Lifeline, 10THOUSANDFEET, Iron Edge and Clean Life.
2021 Australian Fitness Awards categories include:
Individual Awards – To be presented on Friday 13 August at Hilton Sydney
Female Personal Trainer of the Year/ Male Personal Trainer of the Year
Open to any personal trainer (either as a contractor or an employee) operating in Australia. This is open to PT studios and outdoor businesses offering a fitness service to fewer than 300 members / regular clients at the time of entry.
Female Fitness Instructor of the Year/ Male Fitness Instructor of the Year
Open to any group exercise instructor teaching any style of group exercise that is: pre-choreographed, freestyle, mind-body.
Student of the year
This category is by nomination only (by the Registered Training Organisation). The student must be studying (full or part-time) on a fitness qualification course within the award year.
Educator of the year
Open to any person who supports exercise professionals in Australia in either teaching, lecturing, training, mentoring or presenting role.
Business Awards – To be presented on Friday 17 June at Hilton Sydney
Boutique Business of the Year
For boutique, specialist businesses offering a fitness service that is specific in one service.
Multiservice Business of the Year
For businesses offering services to members.
Quality Assured Business of the Year
Open to quality accredited businesses only. Business who receives the highest accreditation score wins. No extra nomination or fee required. Assessed by IF and endorsed by FA standards council and board. This is the highest award for businesses.
Community Awards – To be presented on Friday 17 June at Hilton Sydney
Community Innovation
Open to any individual or organisation offering exercise program at low or no cost to the wider community. The emphasis here is that exercise participation is encouraged in a population that would normally find such exercise difficult to access. It must have been operating a minimum of 12 months and have statistics to support participation levels. Entry is free to enter this category.
Mental Health Awareness Program
Open to any organisation offering exercise programs at low or no cost to the wider community. The emphasis here is that exercise participation is encouraged in a population that would normally find such exercise difficult to access. It must have been operating a minimum of 12 months and have statistics to support participation levels. Entry is free to enter this category.
Awards of Honour (not open to nominations) – To be presented at the Leadership Summit on 26 & 27 May at Ovolo Hotel Sydney
Chair’s Award
The Chair’s Award recognises members of Fitness Australia’s Board, Councils, Committees, Advisory bodies or a Taskforce who have made a significant contribution to the work of that group and to Fitness Australia.
Roll Of Honour
