Leisure Industry and Fitness professionals from all over Ireland gathered in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan on Friday night, 13th November, to celebrate the annual Ireland Active National White Flag Quality Standards Award event. These awards are the main social event in the calendar year for those working in the leisure industry, and was attended by over 250 delegates.
The White Flag National Quality Standard, grades facilities’ operational standards, similar to the Blue Flag award which classifies Ireland’s beaches. It is fast becoming the most sought after accolade in the leisure industry! It is the only industry specific award for the Irish Leisure and Spa Industry.
The White Flag National quality standard is based on the 3 essential areas when operating any leisure centre or spa: Safety, Hygiene & Maintenance and Customer Care. The standard is designed to encourage continuous improvement and it is categorised into three levels for the leisure centre sector: Gold, Silver and Bronze. It is also used for the hotel sector which is split into two levels: Emerald and Diamond. During 2015, Ireland Active introduced a new section for the dry centre or gym only facility, the National Fitness Standard.
Christine Moloney, Chairperson of Ireland Active said “Everyone involved in Ireland Active and the White Flag is an integral stakeholder in the development and continuous improvement of Ireland’s health and fitness”.
There were presentations in 5 categories for the overall winners of the year marking their achievement in reaching the pinnacle of the industry during 2015.
- The overall Leisure Centre of the year was a three way tie. The winners were: Shoreline Leisure Centre – Greystones, Newpark Sports Centre and Trinity Sports Centre, Dublin and the award was sponsored and presented to them by Mc Sport.
- The overall Hotel Leisure Club of the year was: Zest Hotel & Leisure Centre, Cavan, and this award was sponsored and presented to them by Expert Leisure Supplies.
- The overall Fitness Facility of the year was: The Peace Link, Co. Monaghan and this award was sponsored and presented to them by Podium4Sport
- The industry Supplier of the Year as voted by members of Ireland Active was announced as Expert Leisure Supplies.
Barry Walsh, President of Ireland Active said “Ireland’s leader within the fitness industry come together to discuss how they can contribute to the nation’s health and wellbeing.”
The awards dinner took place following a highly successful annual convention attend by over 130 day delegates. The convention delivered presentations and consultation opportunities for key areas of concern for industry, such as the healthy Ireland context by Ronan Toomey from the department of health, resource efficiency from Maurice Bergin from Green Hospitality Programme, and the topical area of selling sports supplement from Rachel Maguire from Sport Ireland, Anti-Doping Education.
For more information visit www.irelandactive.ie