Insight
Danny the Champion Leisure Opportunities meets one of the stars of the Active Training Awards 2017 and catches up with some of the night's winners
D
anny Drayson has been on a journey from school drop-out to fitness and young person development ambassador at Life Leisure – and has now landed Active Training Awards’ Outstanding Individual of the
Year title along the way. The father-of-two, who collected his
award earlier this month, joined Life Leisure’s Motivator Scheme in 2011, initially working as a volunteer before qualifying to receive certified training in fitness instruction. Having climbed the ladder to become senior fitness coach at Life Leisure Grand Central in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Drayson is set to start a new ambassadorial role in January, where he will be responsible for developing young people entering the sector. Speaking to Leisure Opportunities on his award, Drayson said: “It was the ■■Drayson receives his award from sponsor Active IQ's Jenny Patrickson
biggest shock – I didn’t think I was going to win. This type of thing doesn’t happen to people like me, it was surreal. “Life Leisure has never been judgemental but at school it was different – I was judged
This type of thing doesn't happen to people like me. I'm living proof you can start with nothing and get to a good place 26
leisureopportunities.co.uk
and people still might be getting judged. I’m living proof you can start with nothing and get to a good place.” The operator, which runs 12 leisure and sports centres, also won Medium Employer of the Year at the awards. Issue 726