After a record number of entries, star performers from across the UK physical activity sector have been named as finalists of the ukactive Awards 2026.
The ukactive Awards, proudly supported by headline sponsor the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), celebrate the people, organisations and initiatives raising standards and driving positive change within the industry.
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Thursday 8 October at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, bringing together sector leaders to recognise the industry’s outstanding achievements.
A total of 190 entries covering 14 categories were submitted by organisations of all shapes and sizes across the private, public and independent sectors. The full list of finalists is available below.
Among the existing awards, this year will see the inaugural Workplace Culture & Initiative Award, which will recognise organisations that have delivered impactful workforce initiatives designed to improve the wellbeing and activity levels of their employees.
The judging process for the awards has been led by Proinsight, an independent organisation which provides honest, impartial and objective feedback across all stages of the process to ensure each entry receives valuable outputs.
Tickets for the awards ceremony will go on sale shortly, with an early bird offer.
David Stalker, Chair of ukactive, said: “The ukactive Awards is an opportunity to recognise the outstanding people behind the growing success of the UK physical activity sector.
“With a record number of entries this year, the competition is stronger than ever so huge congratulations to all our finalists.
“We encourage all ukactive members to join us at the awards ceremony in October to see the winners and celebrate everyone helping to achieve our mission of more people, more active, more often.”
Dave Candler, CEO of STA, said: “Congratulations to everyone shortlisted for this year’s ukactive Awards.
“Being recognised as a finalist is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment, innovation and passion that individuals and organisations across our sector continue to demonstrate every day.
“As longstanding supporters and headline sponsors of the awards for a fourth year, STA is proud to celebrate the people and organisations making a positive difference through physical activity, education and community engagement.
“We wish all the finalists the very best of luck and look forward to joining the sector in recognising their achievements at the awards ceremony.”
ukactive would also like to thank this year’s Category Partners and Drinks Reception Partner for supporting this year’s event. They are:
- Technogym – Award Category Partner
- Life Fitness – Award Category Partner
- Matrix – Drinks Reception Partner
The finalists for the ukactive Awards 2026 are:
Private Club/Centre of the Year – Sponsored by Technogym
- 1Life Management Solutions Limited
- NRG GYM Manchester
- Snap Fitness Christchurch
- Snap Fitness Pontyclun
Independent Club/Centre of the Year – Sponsored by Technogym
- Branston Golf & Country Club
- CitySport – City St George’s University of London
- Hilton Glasgow Health & Fitness with Serenity
- Kallima Health Club & Spa Hilton Syon Park
- The Health Club at Ribby Hall Village
- The Thames Club
Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year – Sponsored by Technogym
Northern Ireland & Wales
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council – Crumlin Leisure Centre
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council – The Valley Leisure Centre
- GLL – Andersonstown Leisure Centre
- GLL – Olympia Leisure Centre & Spa
- Legacy Leisure Limited – Barry Leisure Centre
- Serco Leisure – Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex
Scotland
- Inverclyde Leisure – The Waterfront Leisure Complex
- KA Leisure
- Moray Leisure Centre
- Xcite Linlithgow
North of England
- Brio Ellesmere Port
- Durham County Council – Spennymoor Leisure Centre
- Everybody Health & Leisure – Holmes Chapel Community Centre
- Everyone Active – English Institute of Sport Sheffield
- Everyone Active – Eston Leisure Centre
- Parkwood Leisure – Crosby Leisure Centre
Midlands & East Anglia
- Alive West Norfolk – Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk
- Everyone Active – Moulton Leisure Centre
- Everyone Active – Whitwick & Coalville Leisure Centre
- Halo Leisure – Meon Vale Leisure Centre
- Serco Leisure – Northfield Leisure Centre
- Serco Leisure – Warsop Health Hub
London
- Everyone Active – Flitwick Leisure Centre
- Everyone Active – William Penn Leisure Centre
- GLL – Charlton Lido & Lifestyle Club
- GLL – Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre
- High Town Gym & Wellbeing Centre – Active Luton
- Lampton Leisure – Hanworth Air Park
South of England
- Everyone Active – Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre
- Freedom Leisure – Bexhill Leisure Centre
- GLL – Leatherhead Leisure Centre
- GLL – Rivermead Leisure Centre
- Parkwood Leisure – Penzance Leisure Centre
- Plymouth Life Centre – Plymouth Active Leisure
Supplier of the Year
- EZ Loyalty
- Keepme
- Myzone
- PSLT
- Pure Energy Music
- The Fitness Group
- YMCA Awards
- YOUR Personal Training
Build, Design or Refurbishment of the Year
- Alliance Leisure
- Brio
- Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC)
- ReCreation Group
- Snap Fitness
- Tees Active
- Xcite Bathgate
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
- Durham County Council
- Everyone Active – St Albans Parkinson’s Community Programme
- Halo Leisure
- Leisure Focus Trust
- Plymouth Active Leisure Ltd
- The Fitness Group
- West Lothian Leisure (Xcite)
- Y Awards
Healthy Communities Award
- 1Life Management Solutions Limited
- BH Live
- Edinburgh Leisure
- Everyone Active – Dacorum Community Programme
- Everyone Active – Water Safety for Everyone Project
- Freedom Leisure
- Mid Devon District Council / Active Mid Devon
- Serco Leisure PSA Wellbeing Initiative
Transformational Innovation Award
- Alive West Norfolk – Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk
- Durham County Council
- Everyone Active YOU+
- Kallima Health Club & Spa
- Leisure Focus
- Serco Leisure – Leys Pools & Leisure Centre
- Serco Leisure – Maidstone Leisure Centre
- The University of Edinburgh
Marketing Campaign Award
- Brio
- Durham County Council
- Edinburgh Leisure
- Everyone Active YOU+
- GLL
- Inverclyde Leisure
- Kore
- Swim England
Workplace Culture & Initiative Award
- Alliance Leisure
- Durham County Council
- Everybody Health & Leisure
- Kore
- Serco Leisure
- Sodexo
- Sport and Leisure – City St George’s, University of London
Education Programme of the Year
- Achieve More Training
- Fitness Education Online
- Magna Vitae
- OriGym
- PT Academy
- Swim England
- The Fitness Group
- Y Awards
Physical Activity Hero Award
- Adam Roberts – Healthy Communities Manager, 1Life Management Solutions Limited
- Alex Corney – Active Health Coordinator, Plymouth Life Centre
- Christine Percival – Volunteer
- Dora Smith – Falls Prevention Instructor, Brio
- Gillian Lister – Exercise to Music Instructor, The Louisa Centre, Durham County Council
- Kirsty Jones – Regional Contract Health, Activity and Wellbeing Manager, Everyone Active
- Matt Clarke – Swim Manager, Everyone Active
- Paula Watson – Healthy Communities Manager (Gloucester & The Cotswolds), Freedom Leisure
Outstanding Individual Leadership Award
- David Bibby – Managing Director, Everyone Active
- Deaglan O’Hagan – Head of Leisure Operations, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Lindsey Perry – Head of Fitness, The Thames Club
- Oliver Deen – Operations Director, Jubilee Hall Trust
Outstanding Leadership Team Award
- Alliance Leisure Development Board
- Durham County Council’s Wellbeing, Sport & Leisure Management Team
- GLL National Aquatics Team
- Move Southwark Leadership Team
- Sport and Leisure – City St George’s, University of London
- The Leisure Focus Leadership Team
- The My Healthy Way Leadership Team (Parkwood Leisure)
- Y Awards Senior Leadership Team and Y Awards Management Team
Find out more about the ukactive Awards here.
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