The ukactive Awards 2024 truly lit up Birmingham with a celebration that was anything but ordinary. This grand affair at the ICC wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a vibrant showcase of the best and brightest in the physical activity and leisure sector.
More than 800 people—representing the sector’s finest—came together to applaud their peers, share a laugh, and inspire one another towards greater achievements.
Hosted by the ever-charismatic Professor Greg Whyte OBE and the witty Esther Manito, the evening was nothing short of spectacular, highlighting a diverse array of talents across 16 categories. It’s about time we dived into the highlights and celebrated the stars of the night.
Top Honours of the Evening
Everyone Active was the name on everybody’s lips, bagging the National Club/Centre of the Year Award for their stellar Silksworth Community Pool Tennis and Wellness Centre.
They didn’t stop there; scooping up three Regional Club of the Year Awards and the Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Brimhams Active also had a standout evening, picking up the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award and the Healthy Communities Award. Their unwavering commitment to inclusion and health as a core operation is setting the bar high for everyone.
Spotlight on Leadership
The leadership awards were split to appreciate individual and team efforts distinctly. Lorraine Patrinos from GLL captured everyone’s hearts and the Outstanding Individual Leader Award with her dynamic impact on organisational change.
Meanwhile, InspireAll’s Swimming Management Leadership Team took home the Outstanding Team Leadership Award, a well-deserved nod to their exceptional performance in the past year, pushing the envelope on what it means to lead by example.
Innovations and Community Champions
A big round of applause went to Good Boost, who snagged the Supplier of the Year Award for their innovative approach to making fitness more accessible, especially for newcomers to health clubs.
In the realm of personal achievement, Danii Vipond Houghton from GLL won over the crowd and the Physical Activity Hero Award.
Danii’s dedication has brought thousands into the fold of physical activity—people who once thought it wasn’t for them.
Tara Dillon, the powerhouse behind CIMSPA, was honored with the Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award.
Her relentless drive ensures the physical activity sector remains a welcoming place for a skilled and diverse workforce.
Building for the Future
The New Build or Design of the Year Award was proudly presented to GT3 Architects. Their work on the Morpeth Sports & Leisure Centre not only impressed with its thoughtful design but also with its commitment to being a hub for everyone in the community.
Celebrating the Sector’s Finest
This year’s finalists were nothing short of exceptional, each undergoing a meticulous assessment by ProInsight, proving that the passion for advancing community health and inclusion is alive and well.
Huw Edwards, the CEO of ukactive, summed it up beautifully: “Congratulations to all the winners of the ukactive Awards 2024 for your incredible achievements.
Beyond the competition, it’s about the progress we’re making together towards a healthier, happier nation.”
And let’s not forget Dave Candler of STA, who added, “Celebrating tonight, we’re reminded of the resilience and brilliance within our sector.
To all the finalists and winners, well done on making such a positive impact on people’s lives over the past year.”
Full List of the ukactive Awards 2024 Winners:
| Award Category | Region or Specific Award | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Club/Centre of the Year | Northern Ireland & Wales | Antrim and Newtownabbey – Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre |
| Regional Club/Centre of the Year | Scotland | Edinburgh Leisure – Gracemount Leisure Centre |
| Regional Club/Centre of the Year | North | Everyone Active – Silksworth Community Pool Tennis and Wellness Centre |
| Regional Club/Centre of the Year | Midlands | Everyone Active – Hucknall Leisure Centre |
| Regional Club/Centre of the Year | London | Everyone Active – Flitwick Leisure Centre |
| Regional Club/Centre of the Year | South | Hilton – LivingWell Health Club Reading |
| National Club/Centre of the Year | — | Everyone Active – Silksworth Community Pool Tennis and Wellness Centre |
| Supplier of the Year | — | Good Boost |
| New Build or Design of the Year | — | GT3 Architects |
| Equality, Diversity & Inclusion | — | Brimhams Active |
| Healthy Communities Award | — | Brimhams Active |
| Organisation Innovation Award | — | Jubilee Hall Trust and Central YMCA |
| Marketing Campaign Award | — | Inverclyde Leisure |
| Digital Transformation Award | — | Parkwood Leisure |
| Education Provider of the Year | — | Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) |
| Physical Activity Hero Award | — | Danii Vipond Houghton – GLL |
| Outstanding Individual Leadership Award | — | Lorraine Patrinos – GLL |
| Outstanding Team Leadership Award | — | InspireAll – Swimming Management Leadership Team |
| The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award | — | Tara Dillon – CEO, CIMSPA |
| BUCS Physical Activity Excellence Award | — | Nottingham Trent University |
| Outstanding Organisation Award | — | Everyone Active |
This year’s ukactive Awards not only celebrated the achievements but also set the stage for a future where innovation, diversity, and community health are at the forefront of the physical activity sector.
Here’s to inspiring each other and pushing the boundaries even further!