What happens when you bring together the incredible women of Pole & Aerial Divas for our yearly end-of-year celebration? Pure magic! On Sunday, December 21st, we gathered to drink, dance, eat, share stories, and—most importantly—celebrate each other at our much-anticipated awards night.
This is only our second year running this awards ceremony, but it’s already become one of our favourite traditions. It’s the perfect way to shine a spotlight on the amazing humans who make our studios the welcoming, empowering spaces they are. Our founder Kennetta presented the awards, and the night was absolutely packed with heartfelt recognition, a few happy tears, and whole lot of Diva love.
The Winners
Outstanding Studio Community – Pole Divas Moonee Ponds
Walking into MOPO feels like walking into your best friend’s house—smiling deskies, instructors keen for a chat, and students laughing together between classes. The whole team supports each other like family, whether it’s cheering at performances, helping with covers, or just offering life advice.
Mischka and Lorien accepted the award just 11 days after purchasing the studio—what a milestone!
Outstanding Leadership Award – Bella (Pole Divas Moonee Ponds)
Despite her young age, Bella handles difficult situations like a pro. All the students love her, and she keeps things running smoothly with kindness, confidence, and dedication.
She’s brought new life into MOPO from the moment you enter the space. Bella goes above and beyond—organising student events, coordinating in-house comps, and even messaging anyone covering her shifts to make sure everything runs perfectly. She truly embodies what it means to be a Diva: friendly, supportive, and committed to making every student feel welcomed and comfortable.
Desk Diva of the Year – Jen (Pole & Aerial Divas Caroline Springs)
She greets every single person who walks through the door with a genuine smile, making students feel relaxed and comfortable. Jen’s never intimidating and truly wants everyone to have an amazing time. Jen worked tirelessly to build our membership base—treating it like her own studio.
Rookie Instructor of the Year – Anabel (Pole & Aerial Divas Caroline Springs)
Anabel’s attitude and enthusiasm gives her students incredible confidence. Her classes are fun, poppy, and energetic—perfect for beginners while still exciting for more advanced students. Her talent for dancing to anything and teaching all levels is phenomenal this early in her instructor journey.
Anabel was born to be a Divas instructor! Her style and attitude scream DIVA, and the students absolutely adore her.
Aerial Instructor of the Year – Taz (Pole & Aerial Divas Ringwood)
Taz is a pocket rocket who loves pushing students to be involved in every part of aerials—performances, shows, doubles, multiple apparatuses. She keeps her students accountable, reaching out directly and knowing the status of every student off the top of her head.
She’s always suggesting fun team bonding adventures, organising group training jams, and helping other instructors improve their skills. Taz lives and breathes Divas—always has and always will.
Pole Instructor of the Year – Alicia (Pole & Aerial Divas Caroline Springs)
Students leave Alicia’s classes saying “oh my gosh, I want to be her” or “how has she got 2 young kids?” She’s an inspiration to students, mothers, and women everywhere. Her classes are always packed and full of energy—her laughter and music can probably be heard down the street!
Alicia constantly promotes the studio through social media and is incredibly supportive of her fellow instructors. She’d happily drop everything to help another instructor break down a trick for their classes. She’s a beautiful human who deserves this award hands down.
Studio Rising Star – Pole & Aerial Divas Ringwood
After three years, studio growth often slows down—but not Ringwood! This year, Mel and her team achieved the biggest percentage increase in revenue across the entire network. Incredible work!
Studio of the Year – Pole & Aerial Divas Richmond
Cherie the studio manager is the absolute powerhouse behind the success of Richmond. With only two rooms, she is a master at scheduling and it sometimes feels like the studio never shuts. It is always brimming with love and energy. Richmond takes the crown for the second year in a row! Who’s going to try and topple them next year?
Outstanding Achievement – Emma (Pole & Aerial Divas Mornington)
This year, one of our Divas got herself on TV and single-handedly increased awareness of pole dancing in Australia as a legitimate form of fitness. Emma—we are so incredibly proud of you for just being YOU on The Block. We couldn’t have asked for a better representative of Divas and the pole fitness industry.
Our website hits increased exponentially, and we’re sure the same happened for pole studios around the country. We knew the producers couldn’t paint you as anything other than the kind, positive person you are. You held yourself with grace and integrity throughout, and we had so much fun watching you!
Diva of the Year – Jess (Pole & Aerial Divas Richmond and Pole Divas Prahran)
Jess consistently embodies what Divas is all about: kindness, support, dedication, and versatility. She’s not a naturally competitive person but competes to help her students through the experience and lead by example.
Jess is a woman like no other. You’ll never hear her speak a bad word about anything—she’s the kindest person we know. She’s not just spectacularly beautiful on the outside but the same on the inside. Jess represents what Divas stands for: supporting women, changing lives, creating safe spaces, and making people feel seen and special.
She cheerleads her students with gentle grace, always prepared and dedicated. Our very own Miss Congeniality!
The night finished with inducting to new members to our Hall of Fame. Both of these women are such incredible representations of Divas and what we are about.
First Anna (Pole & Aerial Divas Richmond and Ringwood)
Anna started as a student in Prahran in May 2005 (just 1 year after we opened) and back when there was only 1 studio! It was a pretty quick transition for Anna as she started teaching in Mornington in 2006 – the second Divas to ever open and the first franchise! Since then, Anna has taught at Prahran, Richmond and now Ringwood. Anna has been in every single Unleashed opening number bar 1, taking a short break to pop out her babies. No matter what life throws at Anna she shows up. Working as a lawyer by day and raising 2 kids, she still rocks in every week o teach her classes. Divas fills her cup like nothing else and honestly, we can’t see a future without Anna in it.
Next up was Stace (Pole Divas Moonee Ponds)
Stace started as a student in Prahran in 2006 and she has been teaching at Pole Divas Moonee Ponds since they first opened their doors in April 2009. Stace is an absolute power house. While working a full time job as a financial planner, she used to work 3 – 4 hours shifts at the studio PLUS taking 6am morning madness classes 3 days a week. Honestly the woman is allergic to rest. When she isn’t working she’s climbing the highest mountains in the world. Stace’s students absolutely adore her. She will destroy you in a class but do it with the biggest smile, it’s impossible to be mad at her.
We welcome both this incredible OG Divas to the Hall of Fame joining Mischka, Lou and Gracie.
Congratulations to all our award winners!
More Than Just Awards
This night was about so much more than trophies and titles. It was about recognising the heart, soul, and strength that every member of our Pole & Aerial Divas family brings to our studios every single day.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to all who make our community the special, supportive, empowering place it is.
Here’s to another year of supporting, celebrating, and lifting each other up! 💕
