The cream of the health and fitness industry gathered in Telford this week, as 14 awards and three special accolades were distributed at the highly-anticipated Flame Awards 2014.

The awards took place on 2 July at the Telford International Centre, and were held in conjunction with ukactive’s annual Flame Conference.

This year's event underwent a shake-up to better reflect how the leisure sector has evolved, as well as to create opportunities for clubs, industry suppliers and stakeholders to celebrate how their work impacts health.

The Flame Awards 2014, sponsored by Matrix, saw the introduction of new awards and, for the first time, operators and suppliers went up against each other in a number of new categories.

These new categories included ‘Workplace Wellbeing’, ‘Shaping the Future Generation’, ‘Go Green’ and ‘Go Outdoors’.

Another addition was the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award. This category gave suppliers the opportunity to put themselves forward against the best in the sector, with Lifetime Training prevailing on the night.

"Every year the quality of entrants just gets better and better. The Flame awards winners are undeniably the best of the best and a credit to our sector,” said ukactive CEO Dave Stalker.

“The Flame awards assessment process is known for being the most rigorous in the industry, so to go home with the top prize in your category is the ultimate endorsement of hard work, dedication and excellence."


ukactive Flame 2014 - Starter Video from ukactive on Vimeo.

Among the winners was Everyone Active and Fit For Sport’s joint project – Legacy Games – to build a sustainable activity and health legacy in communities around the country in the wake of the 2012 Olympic Games.

“I am absolutely delighted that Legacy Games won the ukactive Flame Award as it shows our industry has embraced and understood the impact and importance of what we are trying to achieve,” said Everyone Active South East regional director Duncan Jefford.

“I believe that the leisure industry has both an opportunity and an obligation to help deliver the sports legacy promised in 2012 and the Legacy Games is a key project for us to do our part.”

Prior to the award ceremony, attendees had enjoyed a packed day of seminars. Keynote speaker Magnus Lindkvist – the world-renowned futurologist – led things off with a dazzling morning address, and he was followed by Green & Black’s co-founder Jo Fairley, rugby legend Will Greenwood and film star Sébastien Foucan in addressing the physical activity community, while a selection of industry experts also delivered themed breakout sessions.

Prior to the awards ceremony, ukactive announced Special Olympics GB as its charity of the year, with former football star and manager Lawrie McMenemy on hand to represent the charity, along with director and former Special Olympian Greg Silvester. To learn more about the charity, click here.

The full list of winners:

- Leisure Centre of the Year Multi-use – William Gregg VC Leisure Centre – Places for People Leisure

- Leisure Centre of the Year Streamline – Little Venice Sports Centre - GLL

- Health Club of the Year Multi-use – Benton Hall Golf & Country Club – The Club Company

- Health Club of the Year Streamline – Maidstone - LivingWell Health Club

- Leisure Centre Operator of the Year – Places for People Leisure

- Health Club Operator of the Year – Spirit Health Clubs

- Workplace Wellbeing – Southampton Solent University

- Shaping the Future Generation – Legacy Days by Fit For Sport & Everyone Active

- Go Outdoors – Nordic Walking UK

- Go Green – 1Life

- Healthy Partnership Projects – Herts Sports Village

- Supplier of the Year – Lifetime Training

- Spark of Innovation – DNA Fit

- Spirit of Flame – Joakim Valsinger - British Military Fitness, Perth, Scotland

- Outstanding Achievement Award – Stevenage Leisure Limited, Gymtopia, Pool Platforms