Excellence Celebrated at the 2026 AUSactive National Awards
Sydney, Australia – 14 September 2026
Australia’s leading exercise and active health professionals, businesses and organisations have been recognised at the 2026 AUSactive National Awards, held at a sold-out gala at Sydney Town Hall on Friday, 11 September.
This year’s winners were celebrated for outstanding professional achievement, business leadership, innovation, inclusion, community impact, education and contribution to the industry. Their work is helping raise standards and enabling more Australians to benefit from exercise and active health.
More than 520 guests gathered at Sydney Town Hall to celebrate the winners and finalists, making it AUSactive’s largest National Awards Gala to date. The event brought together professionals, educators, suppliers and industry leaders from across Australia.
“Every winner and finalist recognised this year represents excellence in action. Through their professionalism, innovation and commitment to their communities, they are raising standards across our industry and helping more Australians lead active, healthy lives. On behalf of AUSactive, I congratulate all our 2026 winners and finalists.”
2026 AUSactive National Awards Winners
The 2026 AUSactive National Awards winners were recognised across individual, business, community, industry supplier, people’s choice and special award categories.
Individual Categories
- Aqua Professional of the Year: Tilly Wong
- Educator of the Year: Mish Wright
- Group Exercise Leader and/or Instructor of the Year: Steven Halligan
- Group Exercise Leader and/or Instructor of the Year: Benjamin Brown
- Manager of the Year: Roddy Faapito
- Personal Trainer of the Year: Natalie Terry-Bedwell
- Pilates Professional of the Year: Ellesse Hawkins
- Student of the Year: Evelyn Moreno
- Sales Excellence Award: Kristy McDougall
- Yoga Professional of the Year: Simon Ngo
Business Categories
- CPD Provider of the Year: Fitness Education Online
- Franchise Group and/or Brand of the Year: Anytime Fitness
- Franchisee of the Year: Larni Mailer, Fernwood Fitness North Lakes and Morayfield
- Independent Business of the Year: Inna Essence Pilates and Yoga Studio
- Leisure Centre of the Year: Cockburn Aquatic & Recreation Centre
- Multiservice Business of the Year: The Parks Recreation & Sports Centre
- Pilates Business of the Year: Harmony Pilates Studio
- Yoga Business of the Year: Yoga Flow Teacher Training
- Quality Accredited Business: Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
- Best First-Year Quality Accredited Business: Northcote Aquatic & Recreation Centre
Community Categories
- Industry Innovation Award: Genesis Health + Fitness – Recovery
- Mental Health Awareness Award: Rainbow Roos AU
- Most Inclusive and/or Diverse Program: Fit Your Ability
- Social Value & Community Impact Award: World Gym Toowoomba
Industry Supplier Categories
- Best Commercial Cardio Equipment Supplier of the Year: NovoFit
- Best Strength Equipment Supplier of the Year: Matrix Fitness
- Best Wellness Equipment Supplier of the Year: Refined Wellness
- Most Innovative & Best Technology Integration Supplier of the Year: Evolt
People’s Choice Categories
- People’s Choice Registered Professional: Kara Sleigh
- People’s Choice Large Business: City of Melville LeisureFit
- People’s Choice Medium Sized Business: The Y WA – Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Recreation Centre
- People’s Choice Small Business: Soulful Pilates
- Student’s Choice Education Provider of the Year: FIT College
10 THOUSAND FEET Member Love Awards
- PT/Group Training: Vision Personal Training
- Small Footprint – Low Staff 24/7: Jetts Fitness
- Big Box Gym: Fernwood Fitness
Special Awards
- Roll of Honour: Nick Cox
- Roll of Honour: Karen Sweaney
- Roll of Honour: Mike Nysten
- Chair’s Award: Shaun Krenz
Celebrating Industry Excellence
The 2026 AUSactive National Awards also acknowledged the judges, partners and sponsors whose contribution helped make this celebration possible.
AUSactive congratulates every 2026 National Awards winner and finalist for their achievement and contribution to the exercise and active health industry.
We also thank the industry community that came together at Sydney Town Hall to celebrate the people, businesses and organisations helping shape a stronger, more inclusive and professional industry for the future.
