The Register of Exercise Professionals has announced the winners of its 2005 Exceptional Achievement Awards and a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominated by their peers and colleagues, the winners – Thomas Owen Burrows, Sheridan Easton, Christine North and John McCarthy – were chosen for their dedication to excellence and a commitment and passion for the health and fitness industry.

Registrar Cliff Collins said: “We are overwhelmed with the calibre of winners this year. Each of them demonstrates the kind of tenacity and passion our industry is famous for.

“We hope that this year’s Exceptional Achievement Winners, and our special Lifetime Achievement Winner, will provide inspiration for those working in the health and fitness industry and show that the pursuit of excellence and continued education reaps great rewards.”

The winners were presented with their Awards at the Register’s Annual Conference at the TUC Centre in London on Thursday 8 December 2005.

Thomas Owen Burrows

In 1995, Thomas was in chronic pain as a result of a back injury and had to be hospitalised for depression caused by it.

However, encouraged by staff to workout in the hospital gym both problems disappeared and Thomas was so grateful he started volunteering there – 10 years on he’s now its deputy manager.

He explained: “When I started volunteering at the gym I had no idea it would lead to a career in the fitness industry. I’d spent 12 years working in a shipyard and didn’t have a clue about exercise. But through my voluntary work my interest grew and Morecombe Bay Primary Care Trust paid for me to train as a fitness instructor. In July 2003 I was the first person in the north to receive the OCR NVQ 3 (Adults Exercise and Fitness). I’m now an Advanced Instructor REPs’ level 3 and work with people that all types of disabilities. In 2003 I set up my own personal training business working with people that are house bound.”

Sheridan Easton (MBA, MISRM, MILAM)

Sheridan has been CEO of Valley Leisure (VLL), an award-winning charitable trust, for the last seven years.

His career began with a post as duty manager in Essex after studying leisure and recreation management. Since then he has also worked as the general manager of Brentwood Leisure Services for 12 years running the Brentwood Centre, (International Events Centre) and leisure centres.

As well as his work with VLL Sheridan has now joined PMP (the UK’s leading sports and leisure consultancy) as a senior consultant. His role is to develop PMP’s trust sector business, utilising his skills and experience, from both local government and the private sector.

Sheridan said: “I feel honoured to receive this award on behalf of all my colleagues who have had to put up with me in pursuit of my work towards quality improvement.

“As they will know, my mission is to actively improve standards within the health and fitness industry and to improve and develop standards of facility management and staffing by supporting the Register and the FIA.

“In this way, we can hopefully ensure that the general public recognises excellent facilities as it pursues a healthier lifestyle through exercise.”

Christine North

Christine has been involved in the fitness industry for more than 25 years. Her interest in fitness was a result of her keen participation in sport and dance as a youngster which led her to seek a career in movement and dance.

She set up her own exercise company in Leeds and realising the need to gain a recognised qualification undertook a Diploma in Health & Exercise Studies at Trinity and All Saints College Leeds. Inspired by this she ventured to London to attend workshops run by the YMCA where she was invited by Lesley Mowbray to embark on their teacher training programme and become a tutor.

This was a huge step led her to her continuing her training by undertaking a Cert Ed and BSc in Exercise and Health Studies – all this whilst bringing up young twins and still teaching 16 classes a week.

Twelve years ago, Christine set up and established Northern Fitness and Education and was one of the first Centres of Excellence for YMCA Training and Development.

She said: “I adore working in the fitness industry and I firmly believe in quality teaching and raising the standard within the fitness industry.

I have enjoyed working closely with the Register of Exercise Professionals and Central YMCA Qualification to help achieve awards and qualifications that are respected and accepted. I hope that my enthusiasm and passion are passed onto others to become involved in this rewarding industry.”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Inspired by the belief that the health and fitness industry in America, and ultimately the rest of the world, would only flourish and prosper if it set standards and co-ordinated its aims and beliefs, John McCarthy formed the International Health and Racquet Sports Association (IRHSA).

Twenty-five years on, and with John still at the helm, the organisation boasts 6,500 club members in 67 different countries and hosts three international events outside the US annually – South America, Asia/Pacific and in Europe – as well as its conventions in the USA, which are the largest events by some margin and attract thousands of delegates.

He retires next March and for his personal commitment and vision to the fitness industry, and to mark his outstanding contribution to the industry, REPs has awarded him the Register of Exercise Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award.

John said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Register of Exercise Professionals for this wonderful honour, and more importantly, for the tremendous work that they do to help safeguard and to promote the health and interests of people who are using the services of exercise and fitness instructors, teachers and trainers.”

Unfortunately John McCarthy was unable to travel to London so Herman Rutgers, IHRSA’s European Director accepted the award on his behalf.