Two Bay of Plenty Polytechnic tutors are amongst the four finalists in the lecturer of the year category at the 2011 New Zealand Fitness Awards.

Sheree Trotter and Kelly Pender are tutors on the polytechnic's popular Certificate in Fitness Programme and have an outstanding reputation of excellence.

Kelly Pender and Sheree Trotter are finalists in the 2011 New Zealand Fitness Awards.

No stranger to the winners' podium, Kelly was awarded a prestigious national Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award in 2010, one of only 10 awards in New Zealand.

The polytechnic's group leader sport and recreation, Peter Sommers, says everyone in the school of applied science is delighted for Kelly and Sheree.

'They are both consummate professionals in their innovative approach to teaching and year on year have produced graduates of the highest quality for the local workforce.

'We congratulate them on their short listing for this celebrated award.”

The New Zealand Fitness Awards recognise excellence in the exercise and fitness industry covering a number of categories including facility, individual and community and education.

Judging is a rigorous process that includes an assessment by a panel of up to five judges.

Award winners will be announced at a black tie gala dinner on Saturday, November 26 to be held at Auckland's Langham Hotel.