July 2018
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
NFA deadline: don’t leave it too late ... By Oliver Dyson
THE DEADLINE is looming for nominations for the National Fitness Awards. The annual ceremony celebrates the best the fitness industry has to offer. And the closing date for nominations for this year’s awards is earlier than usual, with operators wanting to be in with a shot having to submit their entry by July 30. That means you have less than a month to make sure you or a worthy candidate has their chance at taking home one of the awards. There are 23 categories to choose from and the awards are open to any gyms which have been operating for two years or more, by the time of this year’s ceremony. Those open less than that time are only eligible for the Newcomer of the Year category. The awards are organised by Script Events in conjunction with Workout magazine and in partnership with ServiceSport. This year, they are making their venue debut at Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse on December 7. And along with the new venue, three categories have also been announced to showcase outstanding achievement, boutique and education facilities.
The show will be presented by Jenny Pacey and Wayne Gordon. The judging panel for this year’s awards includes NFA veteran Katie Bulmer-Cooke. Katie has previously presented the awards and is returning as a judge for the second time. She said: “It’s a real honour to be asked to be a judge at the NFAs for a second year. “Last year I was blown away by the standard of entries and I’m sure this year will be no different. “We have a lot to be proud of in our industry and to be shortlisted at the NFAs really is something to be immensely proud of and I wish everyone the best of luck.” She will be joined by fellow judges Dean Ragdale, Ben Coomber, Steve Johnson and first time judge Amelia Worrall, commercial director of JD Gyms. Script Events’ national events co-ordinator Simone Saunders, who is leading on this year’s NFAs, said: “We are fast approaching the deadline for nominations. We’ve had some great entries so far, but there is still chance for you to potentially join us at this year’s ceremony. “It is set to be a night to remember.” Visit www.nationalfitnessawards. co.uk to find out more and submit your nomination.
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Inclusive coaching course is launched
Max Whitlock has teamed up with Everyone Active to bring gymnastics to children across the country. The 25-year-old double Olympic gold medallist has teamed up with the sports and leisure provider to introduce a new gymnastics programme. Through the partnership, Everyone Active has pledged to get one million children aged four to 11 taking part in the sport over the next four years. The partnership came about thanks to Max’s ongoing participation in the Everyone Active Sporting Champions Scheme, which he has been a part of for the past three years. He also trains at Basildon Sporting Village.
A NEW e-learning course has been launched to raise awareness of the role coaches can play in helping the visually impaired. As part of annual Coaching Week, UK Coaching and British Blind Sport launched Coaching People with Visual Impairments. The new course raises awareness of the crucial role coaches’ play in helping people with visual impairments overcome barriers to participation in sport and physical activity. According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, ‘almost half of blind and partially sighted people feel “moderately” or “completely” cut off from people and things around them’, demonstrating the importance of sport and physical activity as a vehicle to reduce social isolation. Coaching People with Visual Impairments contains helpful tips, practical solutions and vibrant videos that will increase coaches’ knowledge, assurance and skills of coaching participants with VI and make their practice more inclusive.