102 Leisure Facilities & Spas Fly The White Flag in 2008/2009

ILAM Awards Highlight the Leisure Facilities in Ireland with Quality Mark  

ILAM - The Industry Body for Sports, Fitness, Aquatic Facilities, Outdoor, Spas & Wellness, is delighted to announce that 102 leisure facilities throughout Ireland have been awarded the quality seal of approval and will be presented with the prestigious 2008 White Flag Award.  The 2008 White Flag Awards, the only comprehensive Quality Award for Leisure Facilities in Ireland, were presented by FAI Technical Director Packie Bonner, Eamonn Quigley, ILAM President and RTE's Michael Lyster at a gala awards ceremony in The Strand Hotel, Limerick.

 The White Flag Award, which is now in its eighth year, is designed for sports halls, fitness studios, health suites, spas, gyms, and swimming pools and was developed by ILAM - Leading Leisure in Ireland for sports, fitness, aquatic facilities, outdoor, spas & wellness. 

Over 110 facilities applied for the White Flag Award, with 102 leisure facilities achieving the standard and being presented with a 2008 White Flag.  Leisure facilities in 23 counties were presented with the prestigious award, with no flags being awarded in Longford, Louth and Leitrim

Kilian Fisher, Chief Executive of ILAM commented:  "The White Flag Award has become an essential mark of quality within the health and leisure industry. A leisure facility can reach a very high standard, offering the best possible service, without resorting to major structural changes.  The White Flag Award ensures key criteria are maintained and that high standards are met."

• The Disability Provision Category Award was presented on the night to Westport Leisure Park.   This category was introduced in 2005 in partnership with The Irish Wheelchair Association. A Disability Access audit is conducted on each short listed facility (five facilities in 2008). 
• The Training Ethos Category Award was also introduced in 2005. The 2008 award was presented to Fermoy Leisure Centre.  A full on site training audit is conducted on each short listed facility (six facilities in 2008) by experienced Auditors and training specialists.

Both awards provide an invaluable feedback for the facilities and the industry. 

All those short-listed along with the overall winner are recognised at the Annual Awards ceremony. 

The awards ceremony is part of ILAM's Annual Conference and Exhibition, a forum for development and discussion for Ireland's Leisure Industry. Running over two days key note speakers within the industry John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council; Frank Napolitano, President & CEO, Global Fit and Lynne Brick, Owner Brick Bodies, USA  addressed over 200 attending delegates.

The success of the White Flag Award is clearly demonstrated by the significant increase in both applications and awards over the years. Since the awards inception in 2001, there has been an increase from 28 to 102 awards with a 20% increase in applications between 2007 and 2008.  The White Flag Award has established itself as the ‘quality mark’ that all leisure facilities must strive to achieve and is endorsed by Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation. It is also a mandatory requirement for Health Spas seeking funding from Fáilte Ireland.

Editorial Note: The White Flag Award is a Quality award with key criteria classified under a number of headings including facility interior, exterior & grounds; staff training and qualifications, disability access and provision, swimming pool hygiene; operations; environmental management; water quality and treatment and educational information. Also imperative for the White Flag, each leisure facility must have safe and easy access, qualified and trained staff, good health & safety procedures, and follow industry codes of practice. By following White Flag criteria, making some necessary changes, a leisure facility can reach a very high standard, offering the best possible service, without resorting to major structural changes.

ABOUT ILAM

 ILAM is the Irish Leisure Industry body for all Sports, Fitness, Aquatic, Outdoor, Health Spas and Associated Facilities. Originally formed in 1989 as ILAM (Ireland) the Institute of Leisure & Amenity Management - the professional body representing Leisure Managers in Ireland and funded by the then Minister of Sport, Frank Fahey TD, through the Department of Education. With the tremendous growth in the Sports & Leisure Industry, the Organisation was re-launched in October 2006 with a new logo, strategy and revised articles of association, and re-branded as "ILAM" with a number of divisions to cater for the different Industry needs.