Sports trust Hertsmere Leisure has been awarded Hertfordshire's Employer Commitment to Skills Award in the Big Skills Awards 2009.

Hertsmere Leisure was put forward for the award by West Herts College, which provides and delivers National Vocational Qualifications and work-based training and which has been working in partnership with Hertsmere Leisure.

Denise Adams, General Manager of William Penn Leisure Centre in Rickmansworth and lead on Hertsmere Leisure's Training Academy was presented with the award by Ray Stubbs, BBC sports presenter and former professional footballer, at a ceremony held in Stevenage on 16 June.

Hertsmere Leisure created its Training Academy in June 2008 to develop its staff and provide continuous professional development opportunities.

The Academy also offers training opportunities to the wider community providing further opportunities to enter a career in leisure.

The Big Skills Awards were developed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and are supported by BBC Three Counties.