Newcastle University Sport (NUsport) named Sporting Organisation of the Year

Monday 5 March 2007

Record numbers and commitment to health and fitness for community

Newcastle University Sport (NUsport) has been named Newcastle City Council Sporting Organisation of the Year at the 2006 Newcastle City Council Sports Awards, held Friday 2 March, 2007.

The prized award comes on the heels of The Forum receiving the largest number of 2007 student memberships, near record numbers for Learn to Swim classes and its success in catering to more than 2,000 people who participate in social sport competitions.

NUsport was acknowledged for welcoming over one million members and guests to its facilities in 2006; boasting more than 1,000 enrolments in Flippers at The Forum Learn to Swim program and involving thousands of people in sporting Clubs such as rugby, soccer and hockey.

This year student enrolments have topped the records with more than 500 joining during O Week last month.

NUsport General Manager, Samantha Martin-Williams, said that the award reinforced the purpose of NUsport as a quality provider of health and fitness for our local communities.

"We exist to make sure that local people have the right health and fitness facilities and services," Samantha said.

"Sometimes that has meant providing new things like the introduction of the successful Forum Health & Wellness Centre, Harbourside development in Honeysuckle. But most often it's about developing new and better ways to make sure that our members and the wider community have access to the right facilities.

"As a leading health, wellness, sporting and fitness provider we are continually looking for ways to increase participation and raise the awareness of the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. This award is testament to that commitment," she said.

NUsport is now taking nominations for the University of Newcastle Sports Awards. University students who displayed outstanding sporting achievements in 2006 are encouraged to nominate for the award of Blue, Colour and/or Sports Person of the Year by Friday 30 March.

NUsport's facilities include:

• The NSW Fitness Centre of the Year, The Forum Sports & Aquatic Centre, the University of Newcastle
• The Forum Health & Wellness Centre, Harbourside
• The Squash & Tennis Pavilion
• Ray Watt Pavilion
• Six sporting ovals
• NUsport Rowing Pavilion (located near Berry Park)

For information: NUsport Marketing and Communication Coordinator Rebecca Wilson on 02 4921 6566