A group of athletes with additional support needs who train at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports, run by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, will jet off to Switzerland this week to compete in a national competition.
Special Olympics Grampian Area (SOGA) will be travelling as a team, representing Grampian, to Crans Montana in Switzerland next week to compete in the Special Olympics GB National Alpine Skiing Competition (1-8 February).
SOGA train weekly as part of the wider additional support needs (ASN) programme at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports, run by Sport Aberdeen.
Each competition year, clubs have the opportunity to bid to host the Special Olympics Nationals Competition. Special Olympics Grampian won the bid to host this year and chose Crans Montana as the destination.
Sport Aberdeen runs an additional support needs pathway programme at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports for anyone from age four and over and partner with Special Olympics Grampian to provide opportunities for eligible athletes to take part in Special Olympics registered events.
Beth Woodall, Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports’ Senior Instructor, who will be travelling with the team to Switzerland on Saturday, said:
“We are extremely proud of all the participants on our ASN programme and especially excited for the Special Olympics athletes heading off to compete in Switzerland next week.
“We run ski lessons for individuals with additional support needs from first time beginners right through to competitive athletes and this range in ability and age is a fantastic way to inspire participants to push themselves.
“The sessions aim to offer an alternative pathway to our mainstream programme to provide everyone the opportunity to get involved with snowsports and experience the fun and sense of accomplishment that comes with it”.
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities said:
“The great work that the staff at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports carries out indicates how Sport Aberdeen endeavour to provide opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity, regardless of age or ability. The range of coaching programmes available are vital tools in enabling everyone in the north-east to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Offering additional support needs sessions, not just as a separate pathway but as a means of entering mainstream programming and to progress onto a competitive level, is an incredibly powerful way of encouraging people to push themselves whilst highlighting the inclusive nature of sport. On behalf of Sport Aberdeen, I would like to wish everyone the best of luck for the upcoming Nationals!”
Adrienne Purdie, Special Olympics Great Britain Alpine Skiing National Competition Event Director, said:
“After 15 months of planning, the Grampian event committee are looking forward to hosting the Special Olympics GB Alpine Skiing Nationals next week in Crans Montana.
“90 athletes from 11 regions over Great Britain are travelling to Switzerland to compete. We are looking forward to a great week both on and off the slopes.”
The athletes competing train on a Wednesday, 19:00 – 20:00, at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports, part of registered charity Sport Aberdeen. For more information on how to get involved or sign up to the pathway programme, please click here —- www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/adventure-aberdeen-snowsports —— or email snowsports@sportaberdeen.co.uk
Get your kids active in the Easter holidays with Sport Aberdeen
Sport Aberdeen Easter holiday camps are now available to book citywide, ranging from Get Active Kids Camps to Tennis & Multi-Activity Camps and Intensive Swim Classes to our ever popular Adventure Aberdeen Monster Camps.
Regardless of what your little ones are into, there is something to suit everyone at Sport Aberdeen’s Easter holiday camps.
An unwavering string of award successes in 2019 has firmly cemented Sport Aberdeen’s place on the national radar as one of the best Leisure Trusts in Scotland.
The registered charity is the largest provider of sport and fitness venues and opportunities in the north-east of Scotland, with one simple goal of getting more people active regardless of age or ability. Sport Aberdeen differs from other sports and leisure providers as all profits are reinvested back into the communities, projects and people that it serves.
Everything that the charity has achieved has been tested against an array of the very best services, projects and programmes of their type on a local, national and UK scale.
From showcasing the best in fitness equipment and state-of-the-art transformational community projects, to shining a spotlight on the people; staff and volunteers, who allow Sport Aberdeen to continue to thrive in its sector, every aspect of the charity has been celebrated and recognised throughout 2019.
To top off a very positive and successful year, Sport Aberdeen received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a charity or voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Alistair S Robertson, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, commented on the recent successes saying:
“It fills me with a great sense of pride to be a part of such an exceptional charity, and one that has proven it is making a positive difference to the lives of people in the north-east through the hard work that is carried out day after day.
“The success over the last year is testament not only to the dedication and hard work of all our employees, volunteers and board members, but also to what we stand for as a business.
“It has been a record-breaking year in terms of award successes and this public recognition serves as an indicator that Sport Aberdeen has cemented its place on the national radar as one of the best Leisure Trusts in Scotland.”
Winning people, programmes and projects:
Community Leisure UK Awards: Get active @ Sheddocksley won the much-coveted ‘Leisure Capital Project of the Year Award’, a simply staggering achievement for the Granite City facility which was transformed following a £300,000 investment in 2018.
Fifteen-year-old Aimee Work, Chair of the Active Girls Committee, deservedly won the ‘Outstanding Individual Volunteer Award’.
The Sport Aberdeen Aquatics Aberdeen Team were also finalists in the ‘Workforce Development Award’ category at the Community Leisure UK Awards.
Elevator Awards: Sport Aberdeen scooped the top spot in the ‘Enterprising Communities’ category despite strong local competition.
Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to making positive changes within the communities in which it operates and its dedication to creating opportunities, was recognised with a focus placed on the transformation of Get active @ Sheddocksley.
Northern Star Business Awards: Proving that employees really are the heartbeat of Sport Aberdeen, the charity took home the ‘Staff Matter’ award at this year’s celebration of the exceptional accomplishments of organisations across the north-east.
Society Awards: Sport Aberdeen triumphed over local fitness providers to take on the title of Leisure/ Fitness Facility of the Year at the glittering, inaugural awards ceremony, celebrating the best that Aberdeen has to offer from eateries, shops, beauty salons and leisure providers.
sportscotland Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering Awards 2019: Out of over 340 nominations across 15 categories that were received, Aimee Work was named the ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’.
The Cherries Awards: The HR & Organisational Development team were finalists in the ‘Exceptional Employee Engagement’ category while Nickie Scorgie, Head of the department, was nominated for the ‘Mike Reid Community Award’.
ukactive Awards: Get active @ Sheddocksley was nominated as a finalist for the ‘Regional Club of the Year’ award at the star-studded national event.
Celebrate Aberdeen Awards: Sport Aberdeen was up for ‘Large Organisation of the Year’ and was also nominated as the third sector partner in ‘Corporate Partnership of the Year’ alongside local charity We Too!.
Scottish Swimming Awards: Sport Aberdeen’s Aquatics team were finalists in the ‘Learn to Swim Provider of the Year’ category, a title which they triumphantly took home in 2017.
Above: An assortment of Sport Aberdeen accolades.
Below: Nickie Scorgie, Head of HR and Organisational Development at the Northern Star Business Awards where Sport Aberdeen took home the Staff Matter award.
Local charities and organisations have come together to make a positive difference to children this Christmas.
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team are working in partnership with the AFC Community Trust, Aberdeen City Council and CFINE to host the ‘Food and Fun Christmas Party’ after the huge success of last year, with over 120 local young people benefiting from the project. The event this year has been further boosted by a generous donation from Northsound’s Cash for Kids to buy a gift for each child.
The Beach Leisure Centre and Linx Ice Arena will host the party on Christmas Eve, giving over 100 children a fun-filled day of activities.
Attendees will have the chance to participate in a range of sporting activities and the opportunity to pull on a pair of skates and take to the ice. Love Rara will again be on hand to spread some festive cheer with face painting and a range of creative activities.
The Christmas party is part of the larger ‘Food and Fun’ programme which aims to fight ‘holiday hunger’, a growing problem in Aberdeen when access to free school meals is unavailable during holidays.
Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, said:
“The ‘Food and Fun’ project is a brilliant initiative and one we are proud to play our part in. I’m really pleased that Sport Aberdeen and our partners have been able to come together to put on a packed day of fun for the children. It’s important to make sure that all children in Aberdeen have the chance to have a positive experience at Christmas.”
Every child will be given a present to take home, and each family will receive a food parcel from CFINE to see them through festive period.
The Linx Ice Arena was transformed into a winter wonderland as Ice Aberdeen, part of registered charity Sport Aberdeen, held their spectacular Christmas ice skating showcase on Saturday 14 December.
‘A Festive Celebration on Ice’ saw over 160 children take to the rink for the annual show which featured talented Learn to Skate participants alongside members several north-east skating clubs.
The fun filled family event used the cast’s ice-skating talents to tell stories inspired by winter and classic Christmas tales to a captivated audience.
Lochside Academy School Choir were also on hand to welcome in guests and get everyone well and truly into the Christmas spirit.
David Selkirk, Sport Aberdeen Director of Community Leisure Operations, said:
“The cast and coaches worked tirelessly over the last few months to ensure that this year’s festive showcase was one to remember and it’s safe to say that it all paid off.
“These annual shows are a great way for Learn to Skate participants to show friends, family and loved ones just how much difference a dedicated coaching programme can make.
“We were all thoroughly pleased with the great turn out on the day and everyone who came together to make this show possible should be very proud of what they have achieved.”
Sport Aberdeen offered up over 100 tickets to local care experienced and looked after children, Aberdeen charity We Too! and the Archie Foundation, to ensure the festive spirit was extended right across the city.
‘Learn to Skate’ with Sport Aberdeen: From total beginner to advanced skaters, it’s a fun, safe and great way to get into the sport or practice your skills. The programme is taught by our professional ice coaches on a variety of days and times. Click here for more information and to sign up to the Learn to Skate programme.
Sporting stars at Skene Square School deservedly received a top national sporting accolade in November, recognising how the school place physical education and sport at the heart of their ethos and the effort that goes into getting more young people healthy and active.
The Granite City primary school was the only one in Aberdeen to be awarded the sportscotland Gold School Sport Award this year. The Gold School Sport Award is the highest accreditation within the initiative.
The sportscotland School Sport Award is presented for innovation and achievement in delivering school sport and physical activity, with 747 schools across the country now in possession of an award. It recognises schools that put young people at the forefront of decision making and planning of school sport and PE while increasing participation opportunities.
The number of gold schools across Scotland now stands at an all-time high of 399, an increase of 40.5% from last year’s total of 284. A further 274 schools achieved silver and 74 bronze after a significant number of schools completed their continuous improvement journey towards the gold award.
Over the last two years Skene Square School has worked closely with Active Schools Aberdeen, run by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, to improve provisions and increase opportunities for their young people in sport and physical education.
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities commented:
“This is a brilliant achievement and one made possible through close partnership working between our Active Schools Coordinator and the staff at Skene Square School.
“This is an exciting time for sport in our city. Figures published by sportscotland showed a record number of young people taking part in physical activity over the last year and we are thrilled to be playing our part in creating more opportunities for school pupils to take part in sport and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said:
“It’s testament to the work of a variety of partners, including thousands of pupils, parents, volunteers and teachers, that we can now say this is a record-breaking year for the School Sport Award. Each and everyone involved should be very proud of this fantastic achievement.
“There is an undoubted value in sport being at the heart of school life. With that in mind we are committed to helping build a Scotland where sport is a way of life and young people in schools are central to this.”
Councillor John Wheeler, Convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Education Operational Delivery Committee, said:
“This is fantastic recognition for the pupils and staff at Skene Square School and on behalf of Aberdeen City Council my congratulations go to all involved. We want every young person in the city to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and leading a healthy, active lifestyle is an important piece of the jigsaw. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of everyone at Skene Square is a real inspiration.”
Pam Burney Skene Square School Deputy Head Teacher also added:
“Over the last two years we have worked hard to provide an exciting range of sports for our pupils. As a city centre school with very little outdoor space we have had to think ‘out of the box’ at times but have managed to offer everything from basketball, running, badminton dance and even hosted our own Duathlon! We are very proud of our Gold School Sport Award, it’s an amazing achievement!”
Funded by the National Lottery, the School Sport Award is a national initiative designed to encourage schools to continuously improve extra-curricular sport. It also encourages links between schools and local communities, providing opportunities for young people to progress and further develop their sporting experiences. The award also encourages sporting links between schools and the communities around them, providing opportunities for young people to progress.
To achieve a bronze or silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice. However, to gain gold status an extensive external assessment is also carried out by an independent panel of experts.
Award-winning registered charity Sport Aberdeen was delighted to welcome the latest addition to its Senior Leadership Team in September this year.
Sarah Gray joins Sport Aberdeen in the newly created Head of Marketing and Commercial Development role based at the charity’s HQ at Broadfold House. Sarah is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of marketing and communications activity and increasing inward investment to the company.
Sarah brings over fifteen years of extensive marketing experience to the role, having previously worked predominantly in the oil and gas sector, latterly as Marketing Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa for oil and gas services company, Hoover Ferguson.
Her areas of expertise include strategic marketing planning and execution, social media strategy, corporate communications and event management.
The skillset which Sarah brings to Sport Aberdeen is highly valued and will be a great asset as the company moves into its second decade.
Q&A
You bring over 15 years of marketing experience to your new role with Sport Aberdeen. What has been your proudest achievement to date?
I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in many exciting and rewarding projects over my career, with some exceptional teams. There are a few which stand out for me, including the strategic marketing rebrand and launch of a newly merged business which required delivery within a very tight timescale. I’m also very proud to have launched, developed and managed a successful social media marketing strategy as part of my previous role. Starting this from nothing a few years ago and watching our following and engagement grow and develop into a lead generating marketing tool, which also delivered value to our followers, was very rewarding.
How have you found moving from a career in oil and gas to one within a leisure trust?
It has been a really interesting and enjoyable change! Many of the principles remain the same but being part of public facing charity brings some unique elements to the role, which I have really enjoyed learning more about. I’m very proud to be part of an organisation which brings such value to the people of Aberdeen, I have been really moved by the feedback and results that some of our community projects have delivered. I believe that one of the most important aspects of any role is the people that you work with and I’m delighted to be part of such a dedicated, supportive and fun team at Sport Aberdeen.
As Sport Aberdeen moves into its second decade in 2020, what do you look forward to achieving in your new role as Head of Marketing and Commercial Development?
In the near-term I’m particularly looking forward to enhancing our digital offering across both web and social media. Its such an ever-evolving landscape and it’s vital for all businesses to be able to effectively engage with their customers and stakeholders online.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council to bring Northfield Swimming Pool back into use and I’m looking forward to communicating and engaging with the local community though 2020 and 2021 as we develop the venue, bringing another opportunity for people to get active to the area. I’m also really looking forward to developing the commercial offerings that are available with Sport Aberdeen. We have so many great opportunities available to other local businesses to allow them to reach a wide market as well as some fun and unique opportunities for corporate hospitality and team building which are going to be exciting to develop
Walk Aberdeen, run by award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen, has received £4,000 of funding from Scottish walking charity Paths for All in a bid to improve health and wellbeing at a local level.
Walk Aberdeen, which delivers Health Walks across the city on a weekly basis, secured the grant after submitting an application outlining plans to offer sessions aimed primarily at developing a new programme to encourage people of all abilities to take up walking.
‘First Steps’ aims to break down barriers to participation including lack of confidence, mobility or fear of falling and will allow more people to take part in physical activity within a community setting.
The funding will also enable Sport Aberdeen to train new volunteers in leading the programme.
Sport Aberdeen’s Healthy and Active Communities Team developed First Steps in response to an increased number of referrals from Allied Health Professions for people looking to continue their rehabilitation in the community.
The group’s grant is part of a £160,000 pot from Paths for All’s annual Walking for Health fund which is supported by the Scottish Government.
The fund aims to increase the number of people taking part in Health Walks, improve wellbeing, and expand the amount of physical activity taken by people in Scotland.
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities, said:
“Receiving this grant from Paths for All allows Sport Aberdeen to continue to make a real difference to peoples lives throughout Aberdeen. First Steps sessions are designed to encourage and enable people to walk more often, with more confidence helping to boost overall wellbeing.
“Not only can a simple activity like walking improve strength and balance for people of all abilities, but the positive benefits for those living with a long-term health condition can be lifechanging.
“We recognise the benefits of combining strength and balance with walking for everyday activity, functional fitness and social interaction, and by developing First Steps we hope that this will encourage people of all levels to take up a positive social and lifestyle change.”
Ian Findlay CBE, Chief Officer at Paths for All said:
“Many congratulations to Sport Aberdeen on securing this funding which I hope will see many more people enjoying regular walking in Aberdeen and the north-east.
“This project is just one of many to receive a grant from our Walking for Health fund. Throughout the country, organisations working at the community level have come up with a range of initiatives and ideas that are making it easier for people to join Health Walks and reduce health inequalities.
“This is an important step towards increasing the number of people walking in our communities which will, in turn, have a positive impact on health and wellbeing across Scotland.”
For more information, contact Brian Harrison, Sport Aberdeen Health Walk Coordinator on 01224 507701 or click here. https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/walk-aberdeen
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen and NHS Grampian have come together in a community wellbeing partnership.
The move is aimed at getting more NHS employees healthy and active through increased participation in sport and physical activity.
Over 15,000 NHS Grampian staff could benefit from discounted memberships and access to ongoing support through the Sport Aberdeen Active Workforce programme; a bespoke fitness offering for public, private and third sector organisations.
According to Government figures 131 million working days are lost to sickness absence every year in the UK, with 14.3 million days being due to stress, depression and anxiety.
It is widely acknowledged that both physical and mental wellbeing, alongside staff morale, can be significantly lifted by participating in regular exercise, and through this partnership all employees will be provided with more opportunities to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, including:
- Discounted Sport Aberdeen memberships, giving access to 19 venues citywide, for anyone who lives at the same address as an NHS Grampian employee including those from outside Aberdeen City;
- Membership options for ages three to 65+ years;
- Support from experienced and qualified Health and Wellness Advisors
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities, commented on the partnership:
“NHS Grampian employees are incredibly hard working and provide a hugely valuable service to the people of the north east of Scotland. We are thrilled to be working in partnership to support and champion a move towards a more active and healthier workforce, and all of the benefits that brings.
“It is our hope that this partnership approach will be adopted by other regions, helping to get as many people active across Scotland as possible.”
Rachael Little, NHS Grampian Employee Director, said:
“We are delighted to launch this partnership with Sport Aberdeen.
“It will be of real benefit to our staff and help ensure they have the opportunity to take part in regular exercise and help look after their own physical and mental health as a result.”
Sport Aberdeen currently works closely with NHS Grampian to deliver a number of exercise referral programmes including the pioneering Move More Aberdeen initiative, aimed at reducing costs and freeing up NHS capacity by adopting a preventative ethos.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has handed out 260 free memberships to care experienced young people (CEYP), both in and out-with Aberdeen, through a pioneering initiative since the beginning of 2017.
The Looked After Project has provided CEYP aged five to 26, who are currently looked after or care experienced, with a free Sport Aberdeen membership, giving them access to a variety of gyms, swimming pools and sports centres across the city.
The project, which started in 2016, is a joint venture between the charity and Aberdeen City Council, supported by the Virtual School. The main aims are to increase the participation of CEYP in sports and physical activities to promote confidence, self-worth, positive self-esteem and mental health, all of which impact on a child and young persons’ ability to engage in their learning.
The Looked After Project has also provided in the region of 115 additional memberships for parents and ‘Kinship Carers’ enabling them to support the child or young person by attending activities or gym sessions alongside them. A further 20 memberships have been provided to young people engaged with Action for Children’s Priority Families Project.
Keith Gerrard, Director of Healthy and Active Communities, said:
“This initiative is such an important source of positivity for care experienced young people and those that look after them across the city. The strong, ongoing partnership between Sport Aberdeen and the Education and Children’s Service at Aberdeen City Council is integral to its success, allowing us to create opportunities for people and change the lives of looked after children and young people through sport and physical activity.
“It is my hope that we can continue to reach more people in the north-east who are most in need of the mental and social benefits that participation in sport can bring about.”
Laura Gray, Kinship Team Leader with Aberdeen City Council also commented on the positive impact:
“The initiative between Sport Aberdeen and our Kinship Carers and the children they look after has been greatly appreciated.
“To ensure that looked after and care experienced children living in kinship are included, and physically and emotionally healthy, we recognise the benefits of engaging in sport and sport-based activities.
“Many kinship families have been able to sign up for a Sport Aberdeen membership and take part physical activity, which may not have been otherwise affordable, whilst having fun and spending time as a family.”
Larissa Gordon, Virtual School Head Teacher with Aberdeen City Council:
“Since the project started, children and young people have been able to try out a variety of sporting activities that they may otherwise not have had the opportunity to do.
“Head Teachers have reported the positive impact they have seen in the confidence and self-esteem of the young people who have been involved in activities as part of an alternative curriculum. This has led to more positive social interactions in the classroom, an increase in engagement in their learning and an increase in their attendance, all of which helps to close the attainment gap and support young people into positive destinations.
“Some young people have also benefited from the opportunity to increase the breadth of qualifications undertaken as well as being able to take part in volunteering and work experience.”