Every member of the team at a Mansfield leisure centre should be proud of it winning a top regional award.

That’s the view of Gavin Short (pictured), facility manager at the Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre, which was named Club/Centre of the Year (Midlands) at the ukactive Awards ceremony in Leeds.

“This is the first time in the centre’s history that we’ve entered these awards, so to come away with the win is incredible,” he said.

“We’re just a small, community-focused facility, but we have an amazing team who love what they do and love supporting the people of Mansfield to stay active.

“I’m so proud of my team ­­­— every single one of them has played their part in this success.”

Mansfield’s Oak Tree Leisure Centre was also shortlisted in the Club/Centre of the Year (Midlands) category, marking a run of five appearances in the ukactive final. The centre won the award in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Brian Taylor, chair of the More Leisure Community Trust, which manages Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre, Oak Tree Leisure Centre, and Water Meadows Fitness and Swimming Complex in partnership with Serco Leisure and on behalf of Mansfield District Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre, and all the sweeter for being a first-time win for them.

“As always, this was a highly-competitive category. We were up against some excellent leisure facilities in the Midlands — so to be named as the best centre in the region is just incredible.”

The portfolio holder for Environment and Leisure at Mansfield District Council, Coun Andy Burgin, added: “We’re immensely proud of what we have achieved in transforming Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre in recent years and have delivered award-winning facilities.

“I am pleased that ukactive has formally recognised this, which is a validation of all the team’s hard work over the last year.

“The facility is an incredible asset to the community to improve health and wellbeing across the district.

“We’re delighted that our hard work has been recognised in winning this award for the first time.”