Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, managed by Leisure Connection on behalf of Sport England, has just been awarded Quest's 'Excellent' rating with an outstanding estimated score of 89% after a rigorous two day inspection. The award winning centre will see a 6% increase on the previous assessment in 2006, making the centre one of the best facilities in the country.

This highlights the hard work that has been put in by Leisure Connection and Sport England staff over the past year to make the facility one of the best centres of sporting excellence in the UK.

Quest the UK Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure was designed for and by the industry to help managers enhance, improve and continue to improve the quality of services they give to customers.

The assessment took a detailed look at every aspect of the Sports Centre including health and safety management, cleanliness, customer relations and the facilities before giving the centre top marks.

Following Bisham Abbey's achievement Leisure Connection now has 53 sites accredited with Quest. Of these 53 sites 16 scored over 75% and are highly commended. 7 of Leisure Connection's sites scored over 80% with Lillishall, Sport England's National Centre of Excellence for Britain's top athletes, coming a close second with 88% and classed as excellent.

General Manager of Bisham Abbey, Peter Mann said: "This prestigious award demonstrates our continued commitment to improvement and to provide the highest quality sports, facilities and services. Our site aim has always been to make Bisham Abbey a World Class facility. It is fantastic news that Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre has been ranked as one of the top facilities in the country. We have made consistent progress year on year both in terms of service and support systems."

"However, the most rewarding part, as manager, is having the commitment of the staff. Without their support we would not have achieved this level. It is a reflection on the enthusiasm, commitment, extraordinary hard work and professionalism of the staff that they have achieved such a wonderful rating. More importantly, it assures our customers that we are providing services and facilities that are nationally accredited and at a very high level."

"Quest is all about quality and striving to be the best and this latest success demonstrates that at Bisham Abbey the Leisure Connection team are always working towards further improving the service we offer, always aiming to exceed customer expectations and continuing to be the best!."

Leisure Connection now manages more than 80 sports and leisure centres on behalf of local authorities across the UK; three PFI contracts for local authorities; two contracts for private clients; three National Sport Centres on behalf of Sport England and the National Centre for Wheelchair Sport on behalf of the wheelchair charity WheelPower.