Fitness Australia names 2021 industry award finalists

October 3, 2021

Fitness / Marketing / Recreation /

Fitness Australia has revealed the finalists in its 2021 Australian Fitness Awards - recognising and celebrating individuals, businesses and community groups dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of all Australian communities.

This year’s award winners will be announced from 2.30pm on Friday 15th October as part of the FILEX Virtual Series 2021, which will include an opening keynote address from who is a Paralympic Gold Medallist, World Champion, Wimbledon and grand slam winner and inspirational speaker, Dylan Alcott.

Acknowledging the outstanding work of the 2021 Australian Fitness Awards finalists showcased the professionalism and endurance and toughness of the nation’s fitness industry despite pandemic challenges over the past 18 months, Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish stated “every finalist has shown incredible commitment to their profession and their community over the past 18 months. Whether it is through professional development to ensure they are providing clients with safe and quality services or creating community programs which break down barriers to participation and encourage involvement across a diverse range of different groups.

“The grit and determination of our industry during this time has been overwhelming. I’m immensely proud of every single Fitness Australia member and these awards are a fantastic was to celebrate our achievements and congratulate our finalists and category winners who will be announced in a few weeks.”

More than 1,000 nominations were received across the 12 individual, business and community categories and this year’s finalists include a mix of rural, regional and metro professionals and businesses.

This year’s judging panel included:
• Amanda Bracks, Studio Owner, Soulful Fitness
• Cheye Hill, Manager Leisure Facilities, Port Hedland Leisure Centre
• Dan Jolley, Coordinator - Fitness & Sport, South Metropolitan TAFE
• Betul Sekendiz, Program Manager, International Sport College Australia
• John Holsinger, Director APAC, IHRSA (International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association)
• Justin Tamsett, Director APAC, Active Management
• Kristen Green, General Manager, Aquafit Health Fitness Wellbeing
• Mish Wright, Director APAC, Mish Fit

2021 Fitness Australia Awards - Category Finalists
Quality Accredited Business of the Year
• Armadale Fitness Aquatic Centre
• AquaPulse
• Eagle Stadium
• The Fit Lab Health and Fitness Centre
• Fitness Energy
• Sunshine Leisure Centre

Female Personal Trainer of the Year
• Sally McWilliam
• Emma Chapman
• Jeanette Herrington
• Suanne Lowery
• Natalie Jones
• Claire Buechel
• Shanaye Kuntze
• Anna Liptak
• Suzanne Stembridge
• Louise Stoddart
• Jessica McGrath
• Snezana Pezzin
• Linda Terlikar-Legras

Male Personal Trainer of the Year
• David Murray
• Christopher Kostrzewa
• Timo Topp
• Sheay Wheeler
• Michael Yarnold
• Dmitrijus Koganas
• Joshua Cox
• Steven Trott
• Matthew Mazzaferro
• Stewart Sewell
• Aaron Clark
• Jason Theobald

Female Group Exercise Instructor of the Year
• Kristy L Curtis
• Lauren Antonenko
• Alycia Dean
• Jessica Galpin
• Sarah Magi
• Liana Quach
• Jill Healy-Quintard
• Carren Nicolson
• Paris Wages
• Karen Stuart
• Corinne Blight

Male Group Exercise Instructor of the Year
• Steven Bingley
• James Clarke
• Scott Fox
• Jase Lydom
• David Martin-Forero Peña
• Cameron Marsh
• Ferri Malik
• Richard Boxer
• Brett Carlsson
• Mark Meyer
• Mark Powell
• Simon Ngo
• Mani Bhusal

Student of the Year
• Marty Fry
• Noah Barone
• Dylan Russell
• Lana bright
• Jason Whiter
• Tyrin Waina
• Olivia Skalko
• Januel Godinez
• Andree Houlden
• Claire Jenkins
• Tanisha Thomson

Club Manager of the Year
• Cassandra Boak
• Vivienne Ruth Webb
• Quintin Venter
• Peter Bawhey
• Nic Gannon
• Jasmine Rizzi
• Mark Meyer
• Scott Russell Williams
• Olivia Plane
• John Clark

Educator of the Year
• Tom Merriman
• Dundee Kim
• Michelle (Mish) Wright
• Hays Daewoud
• Kristen Beck
• Sharon Neish
• Philip Sherriff
• Vivienne Abraham
• Amanda O'Driscoll
• Lisa Cosson

Mental Health Awareness Program
• Leanne Simpson - Balance Minder
• Fitness Playground
• Simone Kay t/a Train for LIFE
• Jenny Harrison
• Leila Sithole
• Lachlan Dansie
• Zenergy Yoga
• Fit For 2 - Total Pregnancy Fitness
• Fitness Enhancement Personal Training
• Beyond the Barbell

Community Innovation of the Year
• Ariyttam Pty Ltd t/as A STATE OF RIDE
• Fit Fantastic
• YarraLeisuree - Richmond Rec Centre
• ‘Roll Back the Clock’, North Beach presented by Jeanette Herrington on behalf of Bowls Australia
• Live Once Fitness
• Celebrating Abilities Inc
• Belgravia Leisure
• St Albans Pop Up Gym
• YMCA Victoria
• Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton

Boutique Buinsess of the Year
• FitSlim
• the HIIT Factory, Bairndale
• Fit Baby Boomers (Aus)
• The Fit Shop Bayside
• Champion FIT
• Inner Athlete Fitness Energy
• Fit For 2 - Total Pregnancy Fitness
• Gunnedah Health & Fitness Co

Multi-Service Business of the Year
• Aquafit Health Fitness Wellbeing - RFB
• Goldfields Oasis
• 5th Element Wellness
• Trend Fitness
• Fitness Playground - RFB
• Active Farmers - RFB
• Michael Clarke Recreation Centre
• Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre - RFB
• Somerset Health and Fitness Pty Ltd
• World Gym Australia - RFB
• Xcell Health and Fitness

Fitness AUS awards
• AFL
• Defamantion
• Climb

Click here to register for the free virtual awards event on Friday 15th October.

Image: Armadale Fitness Aquatic Centre, a finalist in the Quality Accredited Business of the Year category.

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30th September 2021 - FITREC gives fitness professionals option to show that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19

26th September 2021 - Fitness Australia introduces Workplace Wellbeing Professional

16th September 2021 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie highlights that gyms and fitness centres are part of the COVID solution

14th September 2021 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish ‘perplexed’ by ongoing restrictions on operation of exercise facilities in regional Victoria

12th September 2021 - How confident can fitness businesses be in AI predictions?

8th September 2021 - Fitness Australia survey reveals NSW members against vaccine passports and staff vaccinations

7th September 2021 - Fitness Australia launches dedicated Aqua Exercise Instructor registration

3rd September 2021 - World Economic Forum study identifies fitness as the most popular physical activity globally

2nd September 2021 - IHRSA partners with Australia’s Fitness and Recreation Industry Technology Summit

18th August 2021 - Global Health & Fitness Alliance sets out to prove the exercise industry’s value to society

17th August 2021 - New ClubIntel research shows fitness consumers demanding highly personalised service

29th July 2021 - Fitness Australia advises of concessions achieved for gym reopenings

3rd July 2021 - Fitness Australia invites input on industry trends survey

9th June 2021 - Fitness Australia and Vic Active demand exercise facilities be allowed to open in regional Victoria

20th April 2021 - Fitness Australia partners with new FITNESS + WELLNESS AUSTRALIA event to enhance attendee experience

23rd March 2021 - Fitness Australia says industry ‘continues to strengthen’ 12 months since COVID-19 shutdowns

23rd February 2021 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish highlights the value of health

5th February 2021 - Fitness Australia member named South Australia’s Top personal trainer

29th October 2020 - Fitness Australia advise that risk of infection in a gym is less than ‘one in a million’

25th September 2017 - Returning fitness student wins national Fitness Australia Award for work with war veterans

20th September 2017 - Goldfields Oasis’ exercise program for Kalgoorlie miners wins Fitness Australia Award

22nd October 2012 - YMCA facilities dominate Fitness Australia awards

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