Over 1,000 girls have taken part in events across Aberdeen today (Friday 28th October) to encourage more girls to take part in sport and physical activity.
Dozens of activities have been organised at secondary schools across the city by Active Schools Aberdeen, part of Sport Aberdeen, and the PE Departments in Schools to mark Active Girls Day.
Active Girls Day is a national initiative organised by sportscotland which aims to highlight opportunities for girls and young women to take part in sport and physical activity.
Flash mobs, dance classes and girls only football matches are some of the sessions being held to mark the day at schools across the city.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell, said:
“Active Girls Day is a shining example of all the good work being done in Aberdeen to boost female participation in sport and physical activity.
“While the gap has narrowed in recent years between boys and girls, there can be no let-up in our efforts. We know that knocking down barriers and creating opportunities for girls now can inspire a lifetime of participation for women in sport.
“It’s important on days like today that we thank the many PE teachers, sports clubs, Active Schools Coordinators, pupils and parents who drive forward these important initiatives in our communities.”
A new swimming initiative has been launched to support people living with dementia remain an “active part of their community.”
We are launching a new dementia-friendly swimming session which offers a supportive environment for people with dementia to swim with a family member, friend or carer.
It follows a successful trial session as part of Aberdeen’s 2016 Golden Games, where older people take part in a range of physical activities over two weeks. One family member who took part said she felt she “had her mum back” during the swim.
Swimming is great for overall physical and mental health, but can also help improve mood, increase confidence, improve cognition and help maintain independence with daily living tasks through improved flexibility and strength.
A swimming instructor will be available during these swim sessions for skills or water confidence support as required.
Sarah Geoghegan, Dementia Adviser for Alzheimer Scotland said:
“It’s fantastic to see this kind of initiative being set up. Often it requires only a few small changes to make an activity or service more accessible to people living with dementia and their families, but this can have a big impact on maintaining their health, wellbeing and independence, enabling them to remain an active part of their community.”
Paula Bisset, Development Officer (Active Lifestyles) for Sport Aberdeen added:
“It’s great that we were able to trial a dementia-friendly swim as part of the Golden Games. Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy an active lifestyle. We hope these regular sessions will enable more people living with dementia to enjoy swimming in a supportive environment.”
Sport Aberdeen’s new Dementia Friendly Swimming Session will take place at Tullos Swimming Pool, on Fridays 1530-1615, starting on the 28th October.A swimming instructor will be available during these swim sessions for skills or water confidence support as required. Tullos Swimming Pool has a changing village with mixed male/female changing and private family-size cubicles. Sessions must block booked in advance, at £25 for 10 sessions, which will allow the booked swimmer plus one family member, friend or carer to be in the pool. Sessions can be booked direct with Aquatics Aberdeen on 0845 601 3611 Option 1.
The “reckless vandalism” of a community site puts at risk the public safety of local school children and resulted in thousands of pounds of repairs.
It comes after Sport Aberdeen replaced six sections of a fence at Albury Sports Centre after vandals again forced entry to the playing fields. The incident took place only two months after a previous section was fixed.
Sport Aberdeen was made aware of the latest incident via a tweet issued by a member of the public on September 30th. The damage occurred outwith routine inspections of the site and the immediate steps were taken by the leisure trust to the make the fence safe.
The works cost a total of £2,555.00 to replace the six sections of the fence.
Since taking over the management of Albury in July 2010, Sport Aberdeen has spent a considerable sum of money fixing parts of the fence which have been vandalised in an effort to gain access to the facility.
Director for Operations and Asset Development, Keith Gerrard said:
“Whilst Sport Aberdeen has a programme of routine maintenance for wear and tear, it does not allocate for incidents of vandalism. It is disappointing that this took place only two months after one section was last fixed.
“This reckless vandalism is costly and unsightly, and more importantly poses a real risk to the health and safety of the local community – particularly those attending the primary school next door.
We are grateful to the continued support of the community in bringing these incidents to our attention.”
Sport Aberdeen has vowed to expand access to sporting opportunities and has set out a range of steps it plans to take to ensure its services are accessible for people with autism. as Aberdeen seeks to become Scotland’s first autism friendly city.
These include:
- New autism friendly family swimming sessions
- Autism friendly virtual tours of venues
- Staff training
- Adoption of the Active Aberdeen Partnership’s aim to be inclusive
We plan to run an eight week pilot for a new autism friendly swimming session at the end of this month. This will be a swimming session for families with a child who has autism. Whilst the sessions will not be lessons, a swimming teacher will be on hand to do some activities with the children and give hints, tips and signposting into learn to swim across the City.
Careful considerations have been made whilst planning for these sessions including; staff training, the filming of a virtual tour to help swimmers familiarise with the facilities before they attend, and purchasing some specialist resources. Tullos Pool has been chosen to host these sessions because of its layout which offers communal changing, group and family changing areas and a quiet space for any participants who wish to take some time out from the session. The session takes place at a quiet time and considerations will be given to noise levels and music to help provide an inclusive environment.
Commenting, Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell said:
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for people with autism to participate in sport and physical activity.
“We have a big responsibility to develop sport and physical activity programmes which are inclusive for people with autism. At the end of this month we will launch the pilot of our autism friendly swimming session, which will make small changes to provide an autism-friendly environment.
“This is part of a wider range of steps Sport Aberdeen is taking as Aberdeen seeks to become Scotland’s first autism friendly city.”
Phionna McInnes, Chief Executive of local charity Me Too!, which supports families of children with additional support needs, including Autism added:
“We are delighted to see these sessions in Aberdeen and encourage families to use this as a lovely way to end the school week and connect with each other in a safe, non-judgemental and relaxed environment.
“So many children on the autistic spectrum love water, it’s fantastic to see this recognised and supported by Sport Aberdeen”.
Spaces at these sessions will be limited, so families are advised to book up to 3 days in advance by contacting Tullos Swimming Pool on 01224 291890
Autism Friendly Family Swimming Session
Fridays 17:30 – 18:30
Tullos Swimming Pool, Girdleness Road, Torry, AB11 8FJ
Friday 28th October – Friday 15th December 2016
Sessions cost the price of a regular public swim:
Adults £4.45
Children £2.25
Under 5’s Free
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £8.35
Access to Leisure Card holders FREE
A leading children’s deaf charity has partnered with a local charitable leisure trust to deliver deaf-friendly swimming lessons to children and young people.
The new initiative, delivered by Sport Aberdeen in association with the National Deaf Children’s Society, will see aquatics instructors working closely with deaf children to build water confidence in an appropriate setting.
All Sport Aberdeen aquatics instructors involved with the course have attended a workshop to learn about how they can ensure deaf young people are fully included in swimming activities.
Swimming is one of the sports deaf children say they most want to take part in, however hearing assistive technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants must be removed. This combined with a noisy swimming pool environment and the need to understand coaches from a distance, mean swimming can pose a number of challenges and additional barriers for deaf young people.
One of the young people to benefit from the Deaf-Friendly Swimming Project is Harry. After going through a difficult time at school and feeling isolated, Harry from Musselburgh attended a free 10 week course of swimming lessons for deaf young people at Portobello Swim Centre in Edinburgh and it transformed how he feels about swimming.
Harry’s mum Kerry said: “They taught him how to dive, how to swim underwater and they did lifesaving as well. He did amazingly well.”
“It gave me a huge boost in my confidence,” adds Harry. “When he had lessons before, the swim teacher didn’t have any deaf-awareness training and, for him, it was just someone shouting at the edge of the pool and he couldn’t benefit like his friends” says mum Kerry. “Now having deaf aware teachers has made all the difference.”
There are sure to be many more stories like this in the coming months from the Granite city. Swimming lessons commence at Tullos and Beach Leisure Centre at the end of October and run for 10 weeks.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Director for Business Development, Jill Franks said:
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to take part in sport and physical activity. All the teachers who will be involved have learned how to make small and simple changes to make activities deaf-friendly.
“This included developing confidence communicating with deaf children and young people through basic British Sign Language and lots of swimming specific signs.
“The new lessons are suitable for all swimming abilities from complete beginners to confident swimmers and will be taught at two locations in Aberdeen. “
Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer for the National Deaf Children’s Society, added
“Our resources and workshop, teach instructors that by making small and simple changes to swimming activities, such as using visual aids, swimming teachers and coaches can ensure that deaf young people have the same access to swimming as their hearing peers.
“We are delighted that Sport Aberdeen is working with us to run these important sessions. They are a great opportunity for deaf children and young people to improve their swimming skills in a fun and sociable environment.
“Far too many deaf young people are being denied the opportunity to swim because many swimming providers don’t know how to meet their needs. Being able to swim is not only a life-saving skill, great fun and fantastic for building confidence, it also opens up a whole world of water-based activities such as scuba diving, rowing, surfing and sailing.”
Scottish Thistle’s Captain goes back to her routes at Alex Collie
Local netball player, now Scottish Thistle’s Captain, Claire Brownie will be visiting her roots Thursday and Friday to lead Netball Scotland’s Thistle Summer Camp for girls in Grampian age 9-15.
The camp being held in Aberdeen at the Alex Collie Sports Centre will give the girls in the Grampian area the opportunity to experience and enjoy netball, led by Claire, who hails from the North East.
Claire who currently has 81 International Caps for Scotland and played in the World Championships in 2015 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014, started playing netball in Turriff, coached by her mum and moved from school netball at Turriff Academy to club netball playing in the Aberdeen and District Junior and Senior Leagues, before moving to Edinburgh to pursue a career in Physical Education Teaching.
Claire is hoping to pass on her passion for netball to the 60 youngsters who will attend the camps over the two days and share with them the benefits of netball.
Claire said,” Netball brings health benefits, but also so much more. I have travelled the world to meet some of my best friends through netball, grown in confidence and enjoyed being part of a team.”
The Thistle Summer Camp will introduce and enhance the netball skills of the participants through fun activities and games and encourage them to have a go at a sport.
Claire recommends, “You may not know anyone or have any experience playing a sport but that will soon change and it has the power to change your life if you let it. Ask around and get involved.”
The trio were awarded the Male and Female Sports Achievers of the Year with Neil Fachie also picking up Disability Sports Achiever again.
The awards come as recognition for the monumental year they have had in their fields, where they all picked up Olympic medals in Rio.
The Rio-tastic awards ceremony hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership at the AECC saw hundreds of guests pay tribute to the winners and finalists.
David Florence also delivered the keynote speech, where he praised the continued improvement of sports facilities in the city, and encouraged young people to get active.
It is the 23rd year of the Aberdeen Sports Awards, held to recognise the commitment, dedication and achievements of local athletes, teams, volunteers and coaches who put Aberdeen on the sporting map.
Speaking after the awards, a spokesperson for the Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP) said:
“The AAP would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the winning finalists.
“This was the biggest Aberdeen Sports Award to date and it really demonstrated the wealth of sporting talent Aberdeen has to offer the world.
“From Neil Fachie, to Aberdeen Snow Sports, to Hazlehead Primary and so many more, we can all take huge pride from the impact they have had not only on their sport, but in inspiring the next generation to become more active.”
Other awards included Lifetime Achievement award to Bill Berry, who has been involved in sport for over 61 years as a competitor, coach, referee and one of Scotland’s highest grade judo players.
Male Sports Achiever of the Year
Neil Fachie and David Florence
Female Sports Achiever of the Year – Sponsored by the Evening Express
Winner: Katherine Grainger
Highly Commended: Jackie Lockhart
Junior Male Sports Achiever of the Year – Sponsored by Stronachs
Winner: John Docherty
Highly Commended: Dylan Curry
Highly Commended: Finn Bremner
Junior Female Achiever of the Year- Sponsored by McLeod+Aitken
Hannah Gray
Veteran Sports Achiever of the Year – Sponsored by AFCCT
Jackie Lockhart
Disability Sport Achiever of the Year- Sponsored by Baker Hughes
Neil Fachie
Student of the Year – Sponsored by Aberdeen University
Winner: Lewis McCue
Highly Commended: Douglas Green
Club of the Year- Sponsored by ID Verde
Winner: Aberdeen Snow Sports
Highly Commended: Aberdeen Sooyang Do
Highly Commended: Wanderers RFC
Team of the Year – Sponsored by Spree
Zariba
Primary School of the Year- Sponsored by David Lloyd
Winner: Kingswells Primary
Highly Commended: Hazlehead Primary
Secondary School of the Year – Sponsored by Sport Aberdeen
Winner: Bridge of Don Academy
Highly Commended: Hazlehead Academy
Outstanding Commitment– Sponsored by Aberdeen Sports Village
Winner: Leroy Smith
Highly commended: Lorna Presley
Highly Commended: Len Nicol
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership
Jim Livingston
Supporter of the Year – Sponsored by Petrolink
Aquatic Engineering
Junior Sports Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Aberdeen Snowsports Centre
Kieran Henderson
Adult Sports Coach of the Year- Sponsored by RGU
Winner: Sara Paterson
Highly Commended: Sally Carns
Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by Aberdeen City Council
Bill Berry
IJS means all skaters will be judged using the International Judging System with video playback available to the judging panel – just like any competition you see on TV.
IJS skaters are judged on each technical element performed – jumps, spins step sequence, as well as up to 5 programme component skills – skating skills, transitions/linking footwork/movement, choreography/composition, performance/execution and interpretation.
The competition is open for competitors throughout the UK to compete.
Commenting, Club Secretary, Yvonne Manson said:
“We are very excited to be given the opportunity from the National Ice Skating Association to host such a prestigious event here in Aberdeen. Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club are working around the clock to make the competition a success, which will allow it to be an annual event.
“Judges are flying in from Germany, Poland and Bulgaria as well as the UK to evaluate the efforts of over 300 competitors over the course of three days.
“Sport Aberdeen and its team at the Linx Ice Arena have been with the Club every step of the way throughout the past year to help us make this happen.”
Ahead of the IJS Open Competition, Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club is now seeking sponsors to boost the event. Ms Manson added:
“Hosting such an event unfortunately does not come cheap. We have to pay for all officials travel costs and accommodation, Trophies for the winners of each individual competition – approximately 35 – as well as day to day running costs. This is going to be a great event and we would welcome any sponsorship to help with these costs.”
A spokesperson for Sport Aberdeen said:
“That an event of this scale is coming to Aberdeen is testament to the hard work put in by Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club. Sport Aberdeen is proud to support this competition, which we hope will inspire many more people to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club are hosting their first International Judging System (IJS) Open Competition during the weekend of 14th – 16th October at Sport Aberdeen’s Linx Ice Arena.
IJS means all skaters will be judged using the International Judging System with video playback available to the judging panel – just like any competition you see on TV.
IJS skaters are judged on each technical element performed – jumps, spins step sequence, as well as up to 5 programme component skills – skating skills, transitions/linking footwork/movement, choreography/composition, performance/execution and interpretation.
The competition is open for competitors throughout the UK to compete.
Commenting, Club Secretary, Yvonne Manson said:
“We are very excited to be given the opportunity from the National Ice Skating Association to host such a prestigious event here in Aberdeen. Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club are working around the clock to make the competition a success, which will allow it to be an annual event.
“Judges are flying in from Germany, Poland and Bulgaria as well as the UK to evaluate the efforts of over 300 competitors over the course of three days.
“Sport Aberdeen and its team at the Linx Ice Arena have been with the Club every step of the way throughout the past year to help us make this happen.”
Ahead of the IJS Open Competition, Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club is now seeking sponsors to boost the event. Ms Manson added:
“Hosting such an event unfortunately does not come cheap. We have to pay for all officials travel costs and accommodation, Trophies for the winners of each individual competition – approximately 35 – as well as day to day running costs. This is going to be a great event and we would welcome any sponsorship to help with these costs.”
A spokesperson for Sport Aberdeen said:
“That an event of this scale is coming to Aberdeen is testament to the hard work put in by Aberdeen Linx Ice Skating Club. Sport Aberdeen is proud to support this competition, which we hope will inspire many more people to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Charity dodgeball tournament to be held in memory of father who lost life to MND
A leading local dodgeball club is to hold a charity tournament in memory of a player’s father who lost his life to motor neurone disease.
The Granite City Guerillas will host the tournament at the Jesmond Sports Centre on Sunday 23rdOctober to raise funds for MND Scotland.
The tournament has been named the Iain McLean Memorial Cup, in memory of veteran dodgeball player Chris McLean’s father. Iain McLean was a successful businessman before he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Slowly he lost his ability to move completely, and was confined to his wheelchair before losing his life to the disease in 2010.
The Granite City Guerillas have urged people to sign up to play in the tournament and support their efforts to raise money for the charity.
Speaking ahead of the event, Club Chairman Anthony Aldred said:
“MND Scotland is a charity close to the club. One of our players Chris lost his Dad to MND so we are keen to support this charity as much as possible.
“Sport Aberdeen have given us the hall hire for free to allow all playing fees to go straight to the charity and we are targeting raising £1000.
“Teams can have up to 7 players, of which at least 2 must be female. Team spaces for the day are strictly limited to 16 on a first come first serve basis, with the entry fee of £50 per team all going to the charity directly.
“If anyone wishes to get involved they can contact the Granite City Guerillas via our facebook page. With free entry for spectators – we hope people can turn up and give what they can to support this great charity!”
Sport Aberdeen has secured £2,000 in funding to deliver an innovative new swimming programme aimed at supporting women who have experienced abuse.
The charitable leisure trust has developed a six week swimming programme to support women who have experience some form of abuse. The project will now be rolled out as a pilot after it successfully secured funding from the Women’s Fund for Scotland, administered by Foundation Scotland.
It will be led by Sport Aberdeen with support from the Violence Against Women Partnership Aberdeen.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Aquatics Manager Dianne Breen said:
“The developed programme will consist of two six-week swimming taster courses to enable women to gain confidence in the swimming pool.
“The one hour weekly session, taught by a qualified teacher, will teach women to swim and will be based on the individual needs and requirements of the women.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
“Thanks to the funding secured from the Women’s Fund for Scotland, Sport Aberdeen and the Violence Against Women Partnership Aberdeen can now look forward to rolling out this innovative project.”
The Chair of Violence Against Women Partnership Aberdeen, Cllr Lesley Dunbar, added:
“We look forward to this being the beginning of some sport and physical activity partnership working with Sport Aberdeen.”