Kevin Yates, National Health and Fitness Manager for Leisure Connection has won the FIA’s prestigious new award – the Future of the Flame.
Kevin, who has worked within the leisure industry for more than 15 years, won the award for his commitment to delivering excellence in leisure for all communities while implementing successful strategies across the country.
Kevin said of his achievement: “I am absolutely delighted to win the award and I would personally thank each of our industry colleagues who voted. However this really was a team effort and I could not have done it without the hard work and dedication of my colleagues. We have designed and implemented many new concepts across Leisure Connection and it’s fantastic to be recognised for our achievements.
I want Leisure Connection and its Harpers Fitness brand to be the premier choice for leisure, health and fitness in the UK, while maintaining our core principles as we grow and develop a team of industry role models to professionally represent Leisure Connection in all aspects of health and fitness.”
FIA judges recognised Kevin for a raft of achievements which put accessibility at the top of the leisure industry agenda. They included:
- Launching the highly successful personal training packages for Leisure Connection’s gym brand Harpers Fitness. The affordable personal training package has seen personal training at Harpers increase by 465%, shattering the myth that personal training is only for the rich and famous.
- Working closely with Primary Care Trusts to ensure centres have fully functioning GP and exercise referral programmes.
- Working closely with Buckinghamshire University and WheelPower – the National Charity for Wheelchair Sport – to launch inclusive sports programme consisting of Wheelchair basketball and to have all facilities with coaches to go out into their sites and wider communities to deliver disability sport.
- Designing and managing the re launch of six new Harpers Fitness gyms overseeing £2 million worth of investment into new equipment and facilities.
- Launching a new innovative concept, Harpers Steel, a low-cost alternative to private clubs and leisure centres, which gives people the opportunity to try physical activity cheaply and with no obligation.
