The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open will return to the North East in when Sport Aberdeen’s Kings Links hosts Scotland’s National Open on the European Tour for the first time in 2020.
Golf has been played on the Aberdeen links since at least as early as 1780 and on the site of the current course since 1872. Set between the city and the sea this is a classic links course which is so characteristic of Scotland’s east coast.
At 6289 yards Par 71, with three par 5s and four par 3s the course has great variation and will test even the most capable golfer when played in windy conditions and this will be put to the test when the likes of McIlroy and Mickelson descend on the course next year.
Some of the finest courses in Scotland, the Home of Golf, have played host to the tournament over the years, including St Andrews, Gleneagles and Carnoustie. From 1996 to 2010 it was based at Loch Lomond Golf Club, with Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness, Royal Aberdeen, Dundonald Links in Ayrshire and Gullane all enjoying hosting duties since then.
A spokesperson from Sport Aberdeen said:
“We are over the moon to be hosting one of the biggest dates on the European Tour at the Kings Links course.
We’re sure it’ll be a huge hit with the world’s best players and thanks must go to all those involved in making it happen however we would encourage all competitors to remain watchful and vigilant when faced with the seagulls which are famously far larger, and violent than many would have encountered on a links course before.”
British optical retail chain, Specsavers, has stepped up to show support to this year’s BHGE 10K Running Festival by sponsoring the 2K race.
With just five weeks to go until the event, race organiser Sport Aberdeen and title sponsor Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), are delighted to welcome Specsavers as the 2K race sponsor for 2019.
The support provided by Specsavers, the Number 1 optician in the UK, will further enhance race day, in particular the 2K race, by ensuring each runner will be rewarded with a t-shirt and medal as they cross the finish line.
Commenting on the support, Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Healthy and Active Communities, said:
“We are thrilled to have Specsavers come on board as the 2K race sponsor, a new sponsor for this year’s BHGE 10K Running Festival, joining a host of local organisations who are backing and helping raise money for ten local causes.
“The Specsavers 2K race is the perfect opportunity to encourage the next generation to participate in physical activity to help maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
“This is especially notable at the transitional stage from Primary to Secondary School, where participation levels significantly decrease, particularly the level of girls’ participation that tends to drop over the course of their time at secondary school.”
Starting at the Beach Leisure Centre, making a loop past Pittodrie Stadium and finishing at the 10K finish line, the Specsavers 2K costs only £6 to enter and is open to children from primary 6 to S4 or as a shorter route for wheelchair participants of all ages.
Store Director at Specsavers Aberdeen, Dave McGinty, said the store was excited to contribute to one of the North East’s most popular running events:
“The BHGE 10k festival has become a huge date on the calendar for Aberdeen runners, not to mention competitors drawn from all corners of the world, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity of sponsoring it, allowing us to enhance what is already a memorable event for thousands.
“With so many great causes receiving a massive boost from this community-focused family event, we’re proud to be associated with its wonderful aims and look forward to lending our support on race day.”
With the 10 weeks to 10K training programme now in full flow, people are being urged to sign up for the race in good time to avoid disappointment. Over half the spaces have already been filled, but there is still time to secure your place.
For more information about the BHGE 10K Running Festival or to sign up for 2019, please visit: www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/bhge-10k
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen is delighted to announce that its Active Girls Committee has been commended by Scottish Parliament for the important work it does in Aberdeen.
The Active Girls Committee, facilitated by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team, aims to increase activity amongst girls by 10% by the end of school year 2019/20. The committee comprises of girls from each academy across the city who are championing a move to get more young girls involved in sport and physical activity.
MSP Mark McDonald, who represents the Aberdeen Donside ward, lodged the motion in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the work of Sport Aberdeen’s Active Girls Committee. Mr McDonalds motion stated:
“That the Parliament commends the work of the Active Girls Committee, which has been established by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team and aims to increase activity among girls by 10% by the end of the 2019-20 school year; notes that the committee is comprised of girls from each academy across Aberdeen who endeavour to inspire their peers and increase the number of girls taking part in regular sport and physical activity; highlights the committee’s hard work in organising a recent outing to Transition Extreme with girls from Dyce Academy; embraces the number of alternative activities showcased, including skateboarding, BMX biking and rock climbing, and welcomes this focus on breaking down the barriers that can stop many girls from participating in sport.”
Sport Aberdeen is delighted to have reached the finals in prestigious industry awards recognising its excellence in the fields of human resources (HR).
One of only three charitable organisations to reach the finals, Sport Aberdeen has been shortlisted in the Exceptional Employee Engagement and Mike Reid Community Award categories of The Press and Journal cHeRries Awards 2019, which will take place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) on Thursday 30 May.
Commenting on the news, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, Alistair Robertson, said:
“It is great to see Sport Aberdeen at the forefront championing for the charitable sector. We are humbled to be one of only three trusts selected as finalists amongst a host of excellent entries from major organisations across the city.
“The news has been received very well by Nickie and the small HR team who do so much and reaching the finals in the Exceptional Employee Engagement category is a reflection of the wider organisation, as each and every employee contributes towards HR.”
Golf in Aberdeen has been given a boost as a popular links golf course received recognition from a trusted golfing website.
Sport Aberdeen’s Balnagask Golf Course received an outstanding 4.75 out of 5 rating, placing it 16th in the top 50 courses for its course layout, condition, hospitality, value for money and pace of play, as part of online golfing community, Golfshake’s, Top 50 Golf Courses Rated for Condition in 2018.
Balnagask features alongside world renowned Scottish golf courses Gleneagles, St Andrews Links and Dundonald – which have played host to The Open and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open in previous years.
Commenting on the accolade, Sport Aberdeen’s Golf and Outdoor Services Manager, Nigel Spencer, said:
“We are extremely proud of the four courses we manage on behalf of Aberdeen City Council and the membership packages we offer to play these, such as our Get active 5 membership, which is great value for money.
“What is particularly pleasing about this, is that the recognition comes from independent reviews submitted to Golfshake by golfers who have played the course.
“Having Balnagask recognised and listed alongside so many other world class golf courses, showcases the high standard of golf in Aberdeen.”
Golfshake considers Sport Aberdeen’s Balnagask Golf Course as ‘highly recommended’ with 96 per cent of it’s users saying that they would play it again and recommend it to fellow golfers.
Pupils from a local primary school treaded the boards of Aberdeen Arts Centre alongside students from the University of Aberdeen for an end of year dance showcase focusing on the theme of ‘inspiration’.
The end of year performance, organised by Aberdeen University Dance Society (AUDS), showcased the dancing talent of pupils from Kittybrewster Primary, who have been taking part in dance classes thanks to registered charity, Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team.
In preparation for the performance, Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Coordinator, Kim McRobbie and Active Schools Assistant, Joanna Bell, have been working closely with pupils from Kittybrewster Primary School and students from AUDS.
Graeme Dale, Development Manager – Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said:
“I’d like to specifically thank the students from AUDS for volunteering and all the great work they have done in taking these classes. The strength of the Active Schools programme is in our partnerships, with schools and other organisations like the University of Aberdeen and volunteers.
“A huge thank you must go to all the volunteers who are involved in extra curricular sport, which includes teachers, PE teachers, parents, students and senior pupils, as without their commitment and support opportunities such as this wouldn’t be possible.”
Working alongside Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team at Kittybrewster Primary School, Victoria Kleinsorge and Rebecca McAvo, students from AUDS, helped arrange weekly dance sessions with the P4 and P5 pupils with the aim of getting them involved in dance and prepared to perform on stage.
Victoria Kleinsorge, member of the Aberdeen University Dance Society, said:
“Since the beginning of September, we have started tutoring the pupils for the upcoming show. We teach them the basics of jazz dance and new choreographies every week, to help improve their dance skills, as well as using their new moves in a dance.”
In addition to last weekend’s performance at Aberdeen Arts Centre, a special festive performance for family and friends has been organised for the end of the 2019.
Local running experts shared their training and race day tips with seasoned runners and those new to the sport, at a free running seminar ahead of the BHGE 10K Running Festival on Sunday 5 May.
Organised by race organiser, Sport Aberdeen and title sponsor Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), the evening welcomed four experienced speakers, including four time BHGE 10K women’s category winner, Fiona Brian.
Fiona, who runs for Metro Aberdeen, represented Scotland at the British Half Marathon Championships in London on 10 March and took home the top prize in the women’s division of Denmark’s Lillebaelt Half Marathon last May, shared her journey into the sport and offered personal advice to attendees ahead of race day in six weeks’ time.
Keith Gerrard, Director of Healthy and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said:
“We are delighted to have Fiona share her experiences and it is my hope that her story will inspire more people to sign up for this year’s race, whether it be to beat a personal best or raise money for one of the ten affiliated charities.
“Events like the BHGE 10K Running Festival are part of Sport Aberdeen’s ongoing commitment to create opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.”
Joining Fiona were representatives from Run4It, Sport Aberdeen’s Health and Wellness team and RGU:Wellness who covered a range of topics including nutrition, hydration, preventing injury, what to wear and how the gym can help your training.
Girls from Dyce Academy got the opportunity to try their hand at a range of exciting activities to inspire them to be more physically active.
Organised by positive female role models from Dyce Academy – English Teacher, Keri Taylor and senior pupils Rebekah Singer and Iona Copeland – in association with the Active Girls Committee, the outing to Transition Extreme showcased a number of alternative activities, including skateboarding, BMX biking and rock climbing to demonstrate the breadth of activities available to girls to encourage participation in physical activity to help maintain a healthy active lifestyle.
Development Manager – Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, Graeme Dale, said:
“The Active Girls Committee are working very hard throughout Aberdeen to encourage more girls and young women to get involved in sport and physical activity.
“The group are fantastic female role models and this year will continue their focus on breaking down barriers currently stopping many young girls from participating in sport.”
Commenting on the outing, Keri Taylor, English Teacher at Dyce Academy, said:
“Events like today’s are really important because a lot of these girls haven’t had the chance to try activities like this and it’s good to get them out of their comfort zones.
“Extreme sports might be seen as being dominated on school trips by boys, so this gives the girls a chance to come along with their pals and do it on their terms.”
Set up by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team, the ACG initiative aims to increase activity amongst girls by 10% by the end of school year 2019/20, after figures reported by Active Schools – both nationally and locally – have shown that the level of girls’ participation in extracurricular sport tends to drop over the course of their time at secondary school.
The committee itself comprises of girls from each academy across the city who endeavour to inspire their peers and increase the number of girls taking part in regular sport and physical activity.
Local businesses, Dundas Consultants and Apollo, have shown their continued support to the BHGE 10K Running Festival by sponsoring the running festival for another year.
Sport Aberdeen and title sponsor Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE) are delighted to welcome both companies back to the sponsor line up for 2019.
Dundas Consultants have supported the event since 2014 and Apollo Offshore Engineering, since 2016.
Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Healthy and Active Communities, Keith Gerrard, said:
“We are delighted to welcome back recurring sponsors Dundas and Apollo for 2019, joining other local organisations to back the event and help raise money for our ten affiliated charities.
As well as sponsoring the BHGE 10K Running Festival and Family Fun Run, employees from Apollo and Dundas Consultants will demonstrate their sporting prowess with teams taking part in 2019’s Corporate Team Challenge.
Richard Woodhouse, Director at Dundas Consultants, said:
“It’s terrific to see so many people participating in sport at the BHGE 10k. It always feels like such a positive experience for everyone there either through that sense of personal achievement at taking part or for many because they’re raising money for charities that are important to them. I hope Dundas will continue our involvement for years to come.”
Jonathan White, Business Development Director at Apollo added:
“Apollo look forward to not only sponsoring but also participating in this important sporting event for Aberdeen. We are proud to have supported the running festival for a number of years and have great fun as a company entering runners and raising money for charity!”
With the 10 weeks to 10K training programme now in full swing and just six weeks to go until race day, race organiser Sport Aberdeen and title sponsor Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE) are urging people to sign up for the race in good time to avoid disappointment. Over half the spaces have already been filled, but there is still time to secure your place.
For more information about the BHGE 10K Running Festival or to sign up for 2019, please visit www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/bhge-10k
The world-leading business has sponsored the Student Sports Achiever of the Year Award, which is awarded to a local sports performer who has achieved significant improvement in their development as an athlete over the last year. Aberdeen’s Sports Awards celebrates the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active. The ceremony, hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, will be held at the AECC on Thursday 26th October with 18 categories in the running. Commenting on the awards, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman Tony Dawson said: “I am thrilled that Subsea 7 have come on board as category sponsors, joining a host of local organisations who are backing and celebrating local sporting achievements. “The Student Sports Achiever of the Year Award celebrates a sportsperson who has shown outstanding improvement over the last year. This category highlights how important it is to foster and recognise the local sporting stars of the future. “These awards are an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the clear culture of sporting excellence and outstanding performance that Aberdeen has fostered.