After being named finalists for Medium Club category (which is a huge feat in itself), the YMCA Auckland City Team managed to take out top honours for the prestigious Medium Club of the Year and Skills Active Te Iti Kahurangi Awards! It was a very successful evening for the YMCA as community being acknowledge for finalists in seven categories. Being a finalist (top 3 in some cases) is incredibly rewarding and great recognition for all involved.

We are forever humbled by the industry acknowledgement as it affirms that looking after community and connection means more that just equipment and price. In an exciting an growing industry getting the basics right is paramount now more than ever.

Potential winners are required to take part in a rigorous three-stage selection process before making it to the finals. Finalist judging procedures include a mystery shopper approach where applicants are judged on how they perform with clients under pressure, or in the programme setting. Commenting on the Award, Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) Chief Executive Richard Beddie says judging gets more difficult each year as the NZ health and fitness industry takes on increased responsibility and strives to come up with new ways of encouraging Kiwis to be more active.