The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has started the ball rolling on this years’ Fitness Leaders and Management Excellence (FLAME) Awards.

Fitness facilities of the highest standards will compete to receive recognition among their industry peers.

As well as the introduction of a new category: Club of the Year (over 4,000 members), this year will see the awards judged by Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ).

The national awarding body has years of expertise in the health, fitness and active leisure sector and specialist knowledge as an industry standards verifier and evaluator.

“FLAME is probably the most thorough and challenging opportunity for recognition within the industry,” said Chris Koffman, general manager at LivingWell Canary Wharf Health Club, which won the FLAME Corporate Club of the Year 2005 title.

“It provides a unique blend of motivation, project planning, commitment and delivery.”

Apart from the new category, sponsored by Promotions 81, existing categories include: Centre of the Year, sponsored by Keiser; Club of the Year (under 1,000 members), sponsored by The Leisure Finance Group; Club of the Year (1,000-2,500 members), sponsored by John Ansell & Partners; Club of the Year (2,500-4,000 members), sponsored by the QJ Group and Corporate Club of the Year, sponsored by Torex Leisure Management Solutions.

FLAME applications close on 24 February.