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The George Torkildsen Literary Award

The George Torkildsen Literary Award seeks to perpetuate the memory of this remarkable individual who served as Chair of the World Leisure Board of Directors. He was the first community sports center manager in Britain and has been called the father of sport and leisure in that country.

A prolific writer, lecturer and teacher, he authored Leisure and Recreation Management, Leisure Management A to Z: A Dictionary of Terms, and Torkildsen’s Guides to Leisure Management. This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the recreation, parks and leisure service literature by advancing innovative ideas, thoughts and/or philosophical perspectives.

Criteria for Selection

• Contributions that advance the professional literature in the area of recreation, parks, conservation, environment or leisure;
• Research or scholarly endeavors that significantly influence new ideas, concepts and/or reveal new insights into recreation, parks, conservation, environment or leisure;
• Ideas, concepts or writings that arouse professional awareness and/or provide new insights leading to major changes in the way in which the recreation, park and leisure service movement is viewed or practiced; and
• Significant literary activities over a life time that reflect continuous and sustained contributions. Contributions may be reflected in a series of articles, books, lectures, research and technical reports, monographs or other forms.

Selection Procedures

• Their literary contributions to advancing leisure concerns world wide;
• The impact of such contributions as reflected in their influence to the general public and/or profession; and
• The clarity, solutions and insights brought to emerging trends, issues and concepts as well as issues, problems and concerns.

Application/Award Procedures

• Name of the individual, title, organizational affiliation and full contact details;
• A written statement of not more than1,000 words that addresses the nominees scholarly efforts and/or other professional contributions, referencing the impact that the nominees contributions have made to the literature; and
• The nominees curriculum vita.

Recognition/Benefits to the Recipient