Sep 14, 2015
Starting from the 14th of September, Hazlehead Swimming Pool is supporting the Aspire Channel Swim to help raise money for Aspire and people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.
The challenge involves swimming the length of the English Channel (22 miles) in 12 weeks at your local swimming pool finishing up on the 7th of December. This works out at 1416 lengths in total or 118 lengths per week over the 12 weeks in the 25m Hazlehead Swimmimng Pool.
Staff are encouraging anyone to sign up whether it be by yourself, in a team, with your class or work colleagues and participants can take part at their own pace.
Signing up is free. Everyone who registers will receive a welcome pack including an Aspire Challenge Swim Hat, sponsorship form and booklet jam packed with useful swimming and fundraising tips. There is also a range of prizes for the top fundraisers.
The Aspire website lets you record and save your lengths online through your own individual or team page so your friends and family can monitor your swimming and fundraising progress.
To find out more about the challenge and to sign up click here.
The Union St Mile, held on the 22nd of August, brought together a number of athletes of varying ages and running disciplines.
The biannual race attracted 75 competitors on a warm day in conjunction with the Celebrate Aberdeen Festival. One of these runners was in particular good spirits having won a competition with Sport Aberdeen.
We asked the public to tell us via social media where they love to run in Aberdeen and why, in tone with the days theme of appreciating the city and its history. Kevin Murray, having told us he loves to run at Seaton Park to escape the rat race, was the lucky winner bagging himself entry to the race, free Personnel Training sessions and a number of running goodies from Run 4 It.
At the finish line a very tired Kevin explained the challenges of preparing for a single mile race as apposed to half marathon distances, but thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
After taking up running in 2000 following injury problems from football, Kevin took part in the Baker Hughes 10K finishing below his sub 50 time. He now competes in the race regularly and has brought his PB time down to 45:00. He continued to take part in a number of 10K races before trying the Stonehaven Half Marathon and discovering his new favorite distance to train for and take part in. Adding the London and Loch Ness Marathons to his repertoire, he would then add triathlons to his schedule including a grueling time of 14 hours 57 mins in the Uk Ironman.
Training for such distances involves running 2-3 10K distances per week with a long run at the weekend. However training for just a single mile race proved a significant challenge! An entirely different discipline, the race demands a different work rate and training schedule, something Kevin found hard to adopt. Kevin made 6 attempts to run the mile but only successfully perfected his timing once, having previously gone too slow or too fast.
However Kevin managed a great performance on the day of the race and is now looking forward to the future and the benefits his new found pace will give him. The Huntly Standard Triathlon is next on the agenda as is the next London Marathon. With a host of other races in between Kevin will have to conquer his most difficult of challenges, his wife’s approval!
The North East Sensory Services will host another fundraising bike ride on the 19th September in Stonehaven.
With a choice of 11 or 25 mile routes, the event will raise money for the organisation to help them reach their goal of achieving independence for blind & deaf people.
Sport Aberdeen reported on the charities last cycle, which was the 15th Glen Moray Sportive, in which NESS Fundraising Assistant Bruce Cruickshank took on the 25 mile tandem challenge for the first time. With pilot Sandy the pair completed the cycle and raised over £900. This time the cycle will take place closer to home with both routes starting and finishing at Stonehaven Scout Hut.
All funds raised will go towards the NESS and there is a non-refundable entry fee of £10 per person or £30 for a team of four for the 11 mile course or £15 per person for the 25 mile course. Entries on the day will be subject to a £5 administration fee per entry.
Enter on-line at www.q-buster.com or for more information call NESS reception on 0845 2712345.
The NESS provides a range of services including a domiciliary social work service, a rehabilitation service, resource centres in Aberdeen and Elgin, social activities and assistance with daily living skills.
Aberdeen’s premier ice hockey team has secured a five-figure sum in key sponsorship from a leading oil and gas services company ahead of its upcoming season in the Scottish National League (SNL).
The Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey team has secured a major sponsorship deal with The Rigmar Group, ahead of its first game of the season in the SNL Autumn Cup against arch-rivals Dundee Tigers, taking place next weekend (Saturday 5 September) at the Linx ice Arena.
The Rigmar Group, which has been the main sponsor for the popular club for three years in a row, has pledged its support again following a number of successful junior hockey camps and the continuing development of the junior team.
Jordan Leyden, captain of the Aberdeen Lynx ice hockey team, said: ”We are absolutely delighted to have The Rigmar Group as our main sponsor for a third year in a row. Without their continued support, we would not be able to develop our juniors in the way we have over the past few years and events such as taking two of the junior sides to Belfast last season and establishing the annual hockey camps would not have been achievable. These events are now fundamental dates in our calendar year and it is really important to be able to educate and train our youngsters to the highest standard for those looking to advance in the sport.
“The Aberdeen Lynx ethos is to ensure the majority of the money coming into the club goes directly to the junior development programmes, which is something the whole club is extremely proud of. This sponsorship, and indeed that of all our sponsors, is key to the club’s progression and will ensure we can continue to develop the younger teams.”
CEO of Rigmar, Keith Nelson, said: “As with our Business Activities, Rigmar believe that it is essential to develop young talent. One of our Staff Members, Kevin Nelson (no relation), is a Lynx Player and this creates a level of interest within the Business for the Sport. Good Luck to all at Lynx for the 2015/2016 Season.”
This year the club has already doubled the number of season ticket holders in comparison to 2014 and has frozen 2014/15 ticket prices for the 2015/16 season. Fans can now purchase their tickets online in advance of games from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/101689.
Single tickets are priced at £7 for adults, £5 for kids and season tickets are also available at £70 for adults and £50 for kids.
The Aberdeen Lynx will face-off against the Dundee Tigers at 7.15pm on Saturday 5 September at the Linx Ice Arena.
For more information about the Aberdeen Lynx search Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey Team on Facebook, visit the website www.aberdeenlynx.com, or email contactus@aberdeenlynx.com.
Hundreds of people lined Aberdeen’s busiest street to cheer on the Union St Mile racers.
The bi annual race was held on Saturday 22nd August and attracted 75 racers on a warm day in conjunction with the Celebrate Aberdeen Festival.
Consisting of three age groups, P6-7, S1 – 4 and seniors, the race is a demanding challenge and entrants must be capable of running a mile in under 7 minutes.
The mile requires a specific type of training to meet the challenge as evidenced by the tired faces of runners at the finish line who run 10K races and Marathons on a regular basis.
Marie Baxter and James Joy were the fastest of the seniors running an impressive 5:32 and 4:27 respectively. A variety of schools were represented from across the city in the junior categories.
Following the conclusion of the race the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade was held as part of a day to appreciate the city.
Following a rigorous tender process, leading leisure solutions provider Pulse has been named as Sport Aberdeen’s Fitness Development Partner for the next five years.
The contract, which was awarded on 24th July and has a potential value of £5million, will see Pulse work with Sport Aberdeen to redevelop up to five facilities which are currently managed by Sport Aberdeen on behalf of Aberdeen City Council.
As part of the contract Pulse will use its 35 years’ experience and expertise to identify and advise Sport Aberdeen on how they can improve their existing fitness provisions whilst meeting the needs of the local community. Pulse will be responsible for carrying out all design and build work, as well as kitting out the facility with fitness equipment from their award winning range.
During the tender process Sport Aberdeen were impressed by Pulse’s commitment as key senior figures within the organisation, including Managing Director Chris Johnson, were heavily involved in the process.
Pulse were also able to demonstrate they had worked on multiple site contracts, such as with Active Tameside, which gave Sport Aberdeen the confidence they could deliver.
The trust was also extremely impressed with the range and quality of facilities Pulse can offer, following a visit to Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft which Pulse redeveloped in 2010 and continue to support operationally as part of a 20 year partnership.
“We are delighted with Sport Aberdeen’s decision to appoint Pulse as their partner,” Commented Colin Davies, Pulse’s Scottish Account Manager.
“We are looking forward to working with the team and helping them achieve their goals of improving the fitness and leisure provision across the city and increasing participation levels across the community”
“We have been thoroughly impressed by the level of commitment shown by Pulse throughout the tender process; not only do they have a great track record but they have also demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise,” says Alistair Robinson, Managing Director for Sport Aberdeen.
“We are looking forward to working with Sport Aberdeen on this exciting project,” said Chris Johnson, Managing Director at Pulse.
“With experience in design, build, fit out and operation – all in house at Pulse – we are perfectly placed to make recommendations and deliver facilities and services that will provide sustainable, future-proof leisure provision for the trust and the local community for the next five years and beyond.”
History was recreated yesterday as photographs from the original Hazlehead No.1 course opening in 1927 were re-enacted as part of the official renaming of the course to the ‘MacKenzie Championship Course’ in recognition of the courses world renowned architect, Dr Alistair Mackenzie.
The photos were taken from the first hole with conditions perfect for replicating history to delighted spectators.
Following presetions and statements from Sport Aberdeen Managing Director Alistair Robertson and Sport Aberdeen Chairman of the Board Fred Dalgarno was the unveiling of an exquisite commemorative plaque, set in a piece of local, beautifully carved granite generously donated by Fyfe Glenrock.
A number of Aberdeen Councillors also attended the launch, highlighting the importance of both the event and the course to the city.
Turning 88 on July 3rd of this year the course has stood the test of time and remains a key venue in the North East for both its historical importance and the challenge it still provides.
Many are unaware that Dr Alister MacKenzie, famous for masterpieces around the world including Augusta National Golf Club which has been at the forefront of some of golf’s greatest triumphs in the Masters also designed the course at Hazlehead.
Geoff Shackleford of the Golf Channel and Golf Digest, who had a statement read during the ceremony, is all too aware of the impact of the architects work around the globe.
“Wherever Alister MacKenzie went he left behind a legacy by creating golf courses that make you want to play.
Having a course associated with his magical touch is the dream of any community and I envy the golfers of Aberdeen having the opportunity to enjoy his work.”
Geoff Shackelford is a writer for Golf World magazine and an editor for Golf Digest as
Niall Carlton made a significant contribution to the 16th revision of the extensive Mackenzie Timeline. The document was painstakingly created and covers the majority of his career from both his work in golf and service during World War 1.
Along with his team, Niall devoted much of his time to discovering more about the head architect by studying various archives.
So far there have been 18 revisions of the Timeline and it is anticipated that a further revision will be published in the near future as more information about MacKenzie becomes available.
The process of compiling and continuing the research to update the Timeline has sparked two additional significant pieces of scholarship: firstly the creation of a detailed list of the golf courses MacKenzie designed, remodelled, or consulted to; and secondly the creation of a bibliography of MacKenzie’s writings, both public writings in the form of newspapers, magazine articles and books, as well as private correspondence, plans, and reports.
Amongst the dignitaries enjoying the ceremony was former Aberdeen F.C. Captain, Russell Anderson, who was full of praise for the course.
“I used to play here when I was younger and it’s a beautiful setting for a golf course. The organisers deserve praise for the work they’ve done on a course that should be attracting people from out with the city as well as locals.”
A Stableford Competition was held later in the afternoon to showcase the course with the sun shining over the 13 teams participating.
The competition was a great success, truly highlighting Dr Alister Mackenzie’s magnificent work on a delightful but challenging course.
The Beach Leisure Centre will host a free Wheelchair Basketball Referee Course.
The course will take place Sunday 23rd August and comprises of on court practical wheelchair basketball skills, theory and game experience.
A must for anyone with an interest in the sport, the course is completely free and will run from 9:30am – 4pm.
To book a place contact Tina Gordon on 07734845950 or tina.gordon@basketball-scotland.com
Local Rugby Union team and clubCAP members, Aberdeen Wanderers, are set to hold a Youth Registration Day.
The BT Caledonia League Division 2 North side will welcome both existing and returning players to the club on Saturday 22nd August with registration to the club available for up to the Under 18 Age Group.
The day will also be an opportunity for the more experienced players to relax with some fun training and games, giving any newcomers a fun introduction to the sport.
Starting from 10 am the club will then stop at 11:30 for refreshments and a barbecue. Official Club Merchandise will also be on sale.
The club are preparing for the start of their season which kicks off with an away fixture to Lochaber on 5th Septmber.
July’s 12 Month Fitness Membership winner is Lydia!
Sport Aberdeen recently introduced a short Venue Visit Survey on our website and as a reward for completing just a few short questions, every entrant is put in a draw for a free 12 Month Membership.
A participant is chosen at random every month with Lydia the lucky winner for July.
If you would like to be in with a chance to win a free full Fitness Membership with Sport Aberdeen for 12 months, simply complete our short survey via www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/about-us/surveys/