Freedom Leisure celebrates shortlisting for eight prestigious UK Active Awards

Freedom Leisure has been named a finalist in eight awards across six categories at the highly respected UK Active Awards 2025, including nominations for both the Stour Centre and Tenterden Leisure Centre. 

This remarkable achievement highlights Freedom Leisure’s unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusion and community impact, and reflects the strength of its people, partnerships and purpose.

The UK Active Awards recognise and celebrate organisations transforming lives through physical activity and wellbeing.

Being shortlisted across so many categories is a powerful endorsement of Freedom Leisure’s mission to inspire healthier, happier communities through accessible leisure opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a finalist in the UK Active Awards 2025," Ivan Horsfall Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Leisure, said. "To be shortlisted in eight categories is a phenomenal honour and testament to the passion, dedication and hard work of our teams across England and Wales.

"Every day, they go above and beyond to deliver life-changing programmes and ensure everyone has the chance to lead a more active, healthier life.”

Freedom Leisure’s shortlisted finalists:

Regional Club/Centre of the Year

Chirk Leisure Centre – Wrexham
Penlan Leisure Centre – Swansea
Tenterden Leisure Centre – Kent

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award

The Pemberton Centre, North Northants – Disability Clubs

Healthy Communities Award

Tandridge Leisure Centre, Surrey – Box Fit for Parkinson’s

Organisation Innovation Award

The Stour Centre, Ashford (Kent) – Strength In Mind (Young People’s Mental Health)

Physical Activity Hero Award

Nikki Hayter – Trampolining Coach, Woking Leisure Centre, Surrey

Build, Design or Refurbishment of the Year

Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre – Swansea

The judging process now moves to Mystery Shops and Judges’ House presentations in September, with the winners to be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 30th October 2025 at the ICC in Birmingham.

As the countdown begins, Freedom Leisure celebrates this national recognition and looks forward to standing alongside other outstanding organisations championing physical activity and wellbeing across the UK.