Active Hastings team wins national award and nominated for many others

Active Hastings Community Sport and Physical Activity Worker Georges Gouet has been announced as the winner of the Inclusive Award at the National Community Fitness Awards. The winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on Saturday evening (10 October 2020).

The team were also nominated for Community Team South and Wales, and Community Sport and Physical Activity Worker Heidi Tambeh was also nominated for Regional Instructor for the South East.

The Active Hastings team have also recently been shortlisted for the Community Engagement Award at the Sussex Sport Awards. The winner of this award will be announced on the 27 November.

Active Hastings is a partnership between Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council Public Health dedicated to giving Hastings residents easy and fun ways to get their everyday dose of physical activity.

Cllr Maya Evans, lead councillor for Natural Environment and Leisure, said,

"Being nominated for the National Community Fitness Awards was a well-deserved achievement for the Active Hastings team, Heidi and Georges; everyone works extremely hard and they're all brilliant at their jobs. We're especially proud of Georges for his win, as we know him to be an extremely gifted fitness coach and community worker and he is well loved and appreciated across the town. It's great that he and the team are being recognised at a national level for their hard work.

"The team have worked hard over this year to continue their work whilst following Government COVID-19 guidelines. Within days of restrictions being announced the team moved all their activities online via their Youtube channel, website and social media channels. Most importantly, Facebook & WhatsApp groups were also set up for class participants to maintain contact, this was particularly crucial for residents who were at risk of social isolation.

"Then, when restrictions were relaxed, online classes continued for vulnerable residents, as well as free outdoor classes within Hastings' most deprived communities.

"We're also pleased to see the team being shortlisted for the Community Engagement Award at the Sussex Sport Awards. They are completely dedicated to helping residents keep active and engaging with our local community, so Active Hastings are very deserving of being shortlisted for this award and we wish them all the luck for when the winner is announced in November."