.png)
Chemmy Alcott, 4 x Winter Olympian, World Record holder and mother athlete to host the Awards. Mr Michael Dooley, esteemed Consultant Gynaecologist, will also speak at the event.
With only a couple of weeks to go until the very first Active Pregnancy Foundation Awards in association with Natal Active, we’re extremely excited to announce both our host and guest speaker for the event. Four-time Winter Olympian, Chemmy Alcott will be our host and MC, with Mr Michael Dooley, Consultant Gynaecologist as keynote speaker. Both are expectational individuals who have been championing active pregnancies throughout their careers. We’re sure they will be inspiration to our guests, ensuring the Awards really stand out as a celebration of the many outstanding individuals working with pre- and postnatal women today.
Host & MC – Chemmy Alcott OLY
Chemmy has represented Team GB throughout her 20-year sporting career having competed at the Winter Olympics four times. The Awards event couldn’t be in safer hands; as a BBC Ski Sunday and Olympic presenter she will inevitably bring her sparkling personality and extensive expertise to ensure the evening goes off with a bang! We hope she will share some of her experiences as a mother athlete too, as we’re sure she will have faced many challenges similar to women keen to be active in their own pregnancies, at whatever level.
Chemmy says, “I can’t wait to host the Active Pregnancy Foundation Awards and I’m so pleased to be part of this inspiring initiative to ensure women get the support and advice they need throughout their pregnancies.
It is an incredible time - the most empowered and strong I have ever felt was during my pregnancies, but it can also be scary with all the physical and mental changes. Having your support community, your 'team', is so important, as is celebrating those people and brands that help you be your best.”
Guest Speaker – Mr Michael Dooley
We’re honoured to be joined by Mr Michael Dooley, Consultant Gynaecologist and Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Michael has been championing exercise in women’s health for many years and especially advocating active pregnancies - an area where women are often more fearful of being active. Michael has been a gynaecologist for the Olympic Medical Institute, travelled as doctor to both Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games and was lead gynaecologist at London 2012.
He sat on an advisory group for the International Olympic Committee on pregnancy and sport and has recently been appointed as Surgeon Gynaecologist to Her Majesty the Queen.
Michael provides an integrated patient-centred approach to women’s healthcare offering the most appropriate evidence-based choice of conventional and complementary treatments to address the patients’ wishes, beliefs and needs.
“We need to improve our management at supporting women to be active especially throughout their childbearing years,” says Mr Dooley, “but this cannot be done without a whole systems approach to ensure everyone who are involved with the health of women are on board. It’s wonderful to see the work the Active Pregnancy Foundation are doing to ensure health and fitness professionals have the tools to start conversations with women, and it’s a pleasure to be in the room with so many individuals who are really making the difference."
Sally Kettle, CEO The Active Pregnancy Foundation says, “We’re so pleased that Chemmy and Michael are headlining our Awards. The work they do is inspiring and a beacon for what can be achieved in our field. Chemmy has successfully navigated her career as a mother athlete, and Michael brings a wealth of expertise and experience. We are honoured that they have chosen to support our event, and hope that their presence encourages our guests, and the wider fitness and healthcare community, to keep up the good work.”
How to get involved
There are 14 awards overall and the winners will be announced at the Active Pregnancy Foundation Awards 2023 – in association with Natal Active at a glitzy ceremony on the 27th of June 2023 at 10 Union Street in London.
All nominations were judged in relation to criteria set out by The Active Pregnancy Foundation ensuring those working with pregnant and postnatal women had appropriate qualifications and were insured where necessary, and were committed to continuing professional development. All awards will be considered in the context of physical activity during the perinatal period. The charity invited those who work with pregnant and postnatal women to nominate themselves or others in four broad categories: people, places, products, and programmes.
Check out our website for more information about the Awards and to buy tickets.