Oak Tree Leisure Centre and a fitness instructor who runs a workout class at the Mansfield facility are in the running for National Fitness Awards.

Oak Tree has been shortlisted in the Local Authority Gym of the Year category, while well-known instructor Jude Morgan is up for an Outstanding Achievement prize for her work helping people return to fitness after injury, illness or a period away from activity.

The awards are organised by Script Events in conjunction with fitness industry magazine Workout, with support from headline sponsor ServiceSport, and in each category up to seven finalists have been selected.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Diane Youdale (Jet from Gladiators) on Friday, 18th November at The Athena, Leicester.

Jack Garner, contract manager in partnership with Serco Leisure at Oak Tree, said: “Congratulations to the Oak Tree team and to Jude Morgan on reaching the final of this long-running national event.

“The gym offering at the centre has always been strong, but we recently added a power-assisted element via our Health Studio, which has taken the facility to the next level when it comes to supporting the whole community to get and stay active.

“Jude Morgan is a bit of legend in these parts. She’s managed to find a secret ingredient that makes fitness and fun belong together. People have turned up to her classes needing sticks to walk, not being able to get in and out of the bath, but by attending regularly and benefitting from Jude’s unique individual approach, lives have been changed. She’d be a most deserving recipient of this award in 2022.”

Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “I want to congratulate the Oak Tree Leisure Centre Team and Jude Morgan for the fantastic work they put in daily to keep our residents active and healthy.

“We recently opened the new power-assisted equipment at Oak Tree, which has revolutionised the community. I’m proud to know that this award nomination recognises the hard work we and our partners Serco have done to bridge the gap in Oak Tree between access and having the right equipment to suit various needs.

“To see both the centre and Jude’s fitness classes getting the recognition they deserve is something to celebrate. Hearing first-hand the impact Jude has made on residents’ lives with her energetic and driven sessions is heart-warming.

Customers at Oak Tree, Andrew Hamilton and Barbara Hough praised Jude. Andrew said: “I couldn’t think of a more deserving recipient of an award for Outstanding Achievement at a fitness facility. Jude has been instrumental in changing to many lives with her knowledge, her compassion and drive to help people lead better lives. All the best for the National Fitness Awards, Jude!”

Barbara added: “I’m so pleased to hear that Jude Morgan has made the final at a prestigious national awards event. I’ll never be able to thank her enough for the support she’s given me, helping me rebuild my life. Compared to what I was like before I started in Jude’s classes three years ago, I’m a new woman!”

Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre and the Water Meadows Fitness & Swimming Complex are operated by More Leisure Community Trust, in partnership with Serco Leisure and on behalf of Mansfield District Council.