Oldham Active Employees Celebrate 21 years of Inspiring Community Fitness at the Annual Staff Awards 2023

We recently hosted our annual staff awards at St Anne’s Rugby Club, Oldham. This year’s awards marked the 21st anniversary of Oldham Active, supporting the community to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

There were seventeen awards, with trophies being presented to the winning staff or team to recognise their hard work and dedication to Oldham Actives’ core values and exceptional work with members and the community.

Staff members from all departments of the charitable leisure trust attended, including education sports coaches, fitness team members, swimming instructors, lifeguards, managers, frontline workers, and head office staff.

This year, the awards had five categories open to the public vote, receiving 1185 nominations in total from members and the local community. The judging panel, comprising the management team and board members, faced the challenge of selecting the shortlists and winners. This was due to the overwhelming number of positive and inspirational comments accompanying each nomination.

The Awards provide an excellent opportunity for Oldham Active staff to gather and celebrate their hard work, showcasing their commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being throughout the Oldham community.

Stuart Lockward, CEO of Oldham Active, said:”What a fantastic evening it has been! We are celebrating Oldham Active employees’ accomplishments and 21 years of inspiring the community to stay healthy and active. The public vote received an exceptional number of nominations, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication our staff display every day. I want to express our gratitude and congratulations to all nominated this year and thank the winners for their outstanding achievements. I feel privileged to have such talented, compassionate, and motivated staff who make a significant difference in the lives of our members“

Oldham Council proudly sponsored this year’s Awards, and we are incredibly grateful for their support along with other local businesses and organisations such as Oldam College and ReFule.

 

Pritesh Patel, Sport Leisure and Wellbeing Service Manager at Oldham Council said of the evening: “The night was a great event to recognise and celebrate the fantastic staff and teams that work together daily to support our Oldham residents in moving more and improving their wellbeing, making a positive difference to so many people in many different ways.“

 

A complete list of winners can be found here:

• The Most Improved Site
  Winner: Saddleworth Pool & Leisure Centre
• The Top Performing Site
  Winner: Failsworth Sports Centre
• CEO’s Award for Customer Care
  Winner: Georgia Handley
• The Board Award for Innovation
  Winner: Mark Beard

Customer’s Choice Awards (Public Vote)

• Class Instructor
  Winner: Ben Cunniffe
• Junior Activity Instructor
  Winner: Tim Wood
• Schools Coach
  Winner: Shamas Ahmed
• Frontline Staff Member
  Winner: Josh Brockling

Team Member of the Year (Individual Sites)

• Royton Leisure Centre
  Winner: Josh Townsend
• Saddleworth Leisure Centre
  Winner: Mandy McKay
• Failsworth Sports Centre
  Winner: Ray Doig
• Chadderton & Radclyffe
  Winner: Janet Appleyard
• School Coaching
  Winner: Pete Jackson
• Oldham Active Headquarters
  Winner: Simon McDonald

 

Alison Jennings – Manager at Saddleworth Pool & Leisure Centre, said of Manady Mckay who picked up the Team Member of the Year Award. “Mandy has work tirelessly with me to learn policies, procedures and training new staff who had never worked in leisure before, while also multitasking across all positions within the site. With Mandy’s assistance, all staff members have come together as “one team”, gradually transforming Saddleworth into a site that consistently improves, as evidenced by both external and internal audits. Mandy is a truly welcomed member of the team who always goes the extra mile.”

Oldham Active is a community-oriented fitness centre that offers more than just a gym experience; for 21 years, employees have inspired and supported the community to lead active and healthy lives through programs such as our GP referral schemes, half-term sports clubs, and swimming lessons.