Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has recently strengthened its board with the appointment of three new trustee directors – Kathleen Johnston, Mary Forbes and Leigh Mair.
As an Aberdeen medical graduate, Kathleen enjoys a multi-faceted career. She is a consultant anaesthetist in NHS Grampian – her current practice is around neuro-anaesthesia and anaesthesia for trauma and orthopaedics. She is a director and trustee of the Association of Anaesthetists and has represented anaesthetists in the UK and Ireland, providing strategic direction on clinical, political and social matters.
Mary is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in the field of dispute resolution –most recently as senior associate at CMS Cameron McKenna. Throughout her career, she has held roles in both private and public sectors including serving as a legal officer for the British Army. She has various sporting interests including golf, tennis and CrossFit.
Leigh is passionate about the benefits of physical activity for all ages and has more than 20 years’ experience working for blue chip pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Her previous roles include strategic development, change management and improving business performance in large organisations. She has contributed to several Scottish Parliament Cross-party groups including diabetes, health inequalities and rural policy.
Leigh currently works at InnoScot Health – in partnership with NHS Scotland – to identify, protect, develop and commercialise new innovations from healthcare professionals.
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen chairman, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have added this eclectic mix of individuals with an array of experience and knowledge to the board of directors.
“Each new trustee director brings a wealth of skills and insights from both a professional perspective and from their personal interests, which I believe will further strengthen the leadership of the charity.”
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen seeks to help individuals who have a fear of water to overcome their worries through its new Aquaphobia programme for adults.
The aim of the programme is to help people relax, float, and feel happy and in control when in the water, reducing any concerns they may have in a safe and careful way.
Participants will enhance their confidence and learn the basic principles of entering, standing, floating, moving and breathing in the water through a 12-stage process.
The whole process focuses on removing and desensitising fear, with the physical mechanics of swimming coming as secondary.
Certified Aquaphobia Coaches will lead the programme – six Sport Aberdeen swimming teachers have completed their Aquaphobia Learning Programme (ALP) training, developed by The Institute of Aquaphobia.
When an individual has completed a stage, they will progress to the next in the sequence but at a manageable pace set by the person, there is no specific timescale or pressure.
The desired outcome is that participants will feel uplifted and comfortable in the water after obtaining key swimming skills, and then be motivated to undertake swimming lessons on a more regular basis.
The Aquaphobia sessions will run during term time on Tuesdays from 1430 to 1530 at Sport Aberdeen’s newly refurbished venue, Get active @ Northfield.
Adults who are ready to overcome their fear of water are encouraged to apply for their place on the programme here.
Following another busy golf season, we are reinvesting directly back into your courses with a programme of winter works, to further improve the overall golf experience.
Working in partnership with turf specialists the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), our grounds maintenance contractor idverde UK and Aberdeen City Council, we will begin our winter golf course improvement works programme from Tuesday 1 November, ensuring that all four of our 18-hole golf courses are completed for the start of the new golf season in 2023.
With a high volume of rounds played over the last year, we anticipate another busy season in next year and continue to strive to provide the best possible golfing conditions for our customers and members.
Main greens will be retained as much as possible throughout the winter period; however, this will be dictated by ground temperatures.
Course protection measures implemented from Tuesday 1 November
- Fairway mats must be used and will be available to purchase from the golf starters boxes. Please show your fairway mat to the golf starter and use when teeing off with an iron, on the fairway and around the greens. The mats are not required from the rough.
- Bunkers will be marked as Ground Under Repair (GUR). Please lift and drop from the bunkers at no penalty.
- Tee boxes will be moved, and tee mats will be introduced, particularly on par-three holes.
- Walking routes will be introduced to protect well-trodden areas and allow recovery. Please respect roped areas and walk around these as directed by on course signage.
Please note: the main greens at all 18-hole courses will be taken out of play during January and February 2023 to rest.
Outline of overall improvements works
Our strategy for the protection of tees, greens and fairways across all 18-hole golf courses is outlined below.
Tree management – Working alongside Aberdeen City Council, we have identified certain trees with canopies which may stop natural light from reaching particular greens and tee boxes.
Lack of light during the winter is a key contributor to prolonged ice and frost coverage and stops ground temperatures from rising and root zones recovering, so management of these canopies is essential.
Bunker revetting – We will protect the integrity of key bunkers and improve the aesthetic of greenside and fairway pot bunkers for a better playing experience.
Tee levelling – We will provide a level surface for teeing off, giving more tee marker placement options to reduce wear and tear on the tees.
Course furniture improvements (bins, signage and distance markers) – We endeavour to enhance the course aesthetic and will do this by responding to regular feedback from visitors.
Routine annual winter course maintenance to greens – Brushing, light verticutting (or vertical mowing), deep aeration, top dressing and application of wetting agents and other treatments to promote the regeneration of root systems and discourage fungal disease.
Improvements at each golf course
All golf courses will have new irrigation boxes supplied and fitted with on/off taps at each hole. Each course will undergo routine management to soil and seed worn areas in preparation for the new season.
MacKenzie Championship
- Gravel banding to aid drainage on 18th hole
- Replace broken tee sleepers on holes 2 and 8
- Level fairway drainage lines on holes 1, 3, 15 and 18
- Clear storm damaged tree area and plant heather plugs at hole 15
- Tree management programme
Hazlehead Pines
- Tee levelling and redevelopment of pathway at hole 15
- Replace broken tee sleepers on holes 7 and 17
- Tree management programme
Kings Links
- Bunker revetting on holes 3 and 4
- Sand replacement in all remaining bunkers
- Replace wooden sleepers from path to tee at hole 14
- Installation of fairway 150/100 yardage markers
Balnagask
- Cut and lift all rough grass areas as recommended for biodiversity
- Tee box improvements on holes 8, 9 and 11
- Replace practice area net
- Installation of fairway 150/100 yardage markers
We appreciate your patience and understanding while these works take place. We will publish photos of works as they are progressing, so keep an eye on our Golf Aberdeen Facebook page for regular updates here.
We hope you enjoy your golf over the winter. ⛳
Aberdeen City Council’s free Summer in the City 2022 programme delivered a wide variety of activities across the city for children and young people to participate in and have fun.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was a key delivery partner, providing 8,180 sessions overall at various venues throughout the city. Some of the activities included family swimming, ice skating, sand sledging, dodgeball, tennis and much more.
Of the 8,180 sessions provided, 393 spaces were specifically allocated to Afghan and Ukrainian refugees to be supported through the programme.
Sport Aberdeen and WeToo! further strengthened their partnership this year by ensuring an exciting programme of sport and leisure activities were made available to individuals with additional support needs.
The partnership was so successful in 2021 that Sport Aberdeen and WeToo! scooped the Team of the Year accolade at the 2022 Celebrate Aberdeen Awards on Saturday 17 September.
This year, Sport Aberdeen also established a partnership with registered local charity Cfine – it provided more than 300 packed lunches for children taking part in full day activities throughout the summer.
Any family living in Aberdeen or child attending a city school is eligible for the Summer in the City programme, however spaces for priority families most in need, as identified by Aberdeen City Council (ACC), are allocated first.
The feedback received from Sport Aberdeen’s activities was immensely positive.
A parent commented: “My daughter highly enjoyed the week and she spoke highly of the helpers. I would definitely recommend.”
Another commented: “My daughter had so much fun, won’t stop talking about it. Her favourite part was the sand sledging and going on the bus. She said the leaders were really friendly. Thank you!”
Another said: “My son really enjoyed the week-long sports camp at Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre. I will definitely be booking him in again next summer.”
Aberdeen City Council Education Convener Councillor Martin Greig said: “This has been a great example of working together for the benefit of young people. It is clear that much more can be achieved by joining forces in offering sport and other activities to individuals and families.
“The Council and Sport Aberdeen are already cooperating well and we should continue to build on the relationship and expand our partnership approach.”
“It is great to be able to offer children and families the opportunity to take part in a variety of free activities and have lots of fun whilst doing so.
“Along with our partners Aberdeen City Council, we value the importance of positively impacting the lives of our local young people through sport and physical activity, and the positive feedback received from families demonstrates exactly this.
“We also really look forward to continuing our successful collaborative work with WeToo!”
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities
Phionna McInnes, CEO at WeToo! said: “We are thrilled to have our work and continued partnership with Sport Aberdeen recognised with our Team of The Year award win at this year’s Celebrate Aberdeen Awards.
“Embedding relaxed sessions within the community to widen accessibility to as many participants as possible sits very much within the ethos and values of both WeToo! and Sport Aberdeen as we learn, grow and develop the sessions together.”
With the October holidays fast approaching, there are loads of opportunities for children, young people and families to get active through the Autumn in the City programme. Sport Aberdeen has 2,306 sessions planned for Autumn in the City – 366 of these will be relaxed sessions designed for individuals with additional support needs, working in partnership with WeToo!
Find out more on Aberdeen City Council’s website here or on Sport Aberdeen’s website here.
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen has been named as a finalist in the Diversity in Sport category of The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Awards.
Sponsored by sportscotland, the Diversity in Sport award recognises a business, charity, third sector organisation, sports club or organisation that has used the power of sport to drive diversity and inclusion in their community.
Glasgow Ansar, LEAP Sports – Pride Youth Games and Scottish Sports Futures have also been shortlisted as finalists in the category.
Sport Aberdeen has raised the bar locally for helping to embed diversity and inclusion practices. It has a dedicated equality, diversity and inclusion group which brings together employees from different teams to collaborate and shape the future of its culture and values.
Its entry submission focused on the impact it has made from working with and supporting key target groups, using the power of sport as a catalyst for positive change.
Kim McRobbie, Active Schools and EDI Manager, said: “This is the first time we have entered The Herald & GenAnalytics Diversity Awards, so to be shortlisted is a real honour.
“We work hard to ensure that sport and physical activity is accessible to everyone, helping to break down barriers and create opportunities for all to fulfil their ambitions and potential.
“It is so rewarding to see first-hand the life changing impact that participation in sport and physical activity has on so many lives and we will continue our commitment to providing more opportunities and enhancing our equality, diversity and inclusion practices.
“Well done to all the finalists – everyone should be proud of playing a key role in creating a more equal society in Scotland.”
The winners will be announced at the glittering ceremony on Thursday 13 October at Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen is delighted to receive more good news that it has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Health & Wellbeing category of The Society Awards 2022.
Sponsored by Gary Walker Wealth Management, the Health & Wellbeing Award recognises an individual or business in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire which has made a conscious effort to take care of the north-east both physically and mentally.
MSK Therapy Training LTD and Steve Munro Fitness are also finalists in the same category.
Sport Aberdeen’s entry submission focused on the specialist programmes it delivers to support specific groups, including its Active Lifestyles programme for older adults living with long term health conditions, and its SPACE project designed to support care experienced young people towards brighter futures.
The charity has continued to demonstrate its commitment to getting more people across the city active – it experienced a 19.1% increase in Get active memberships in 2021/2022 compared to the previous financial year 2020/2021.
Development plans for the future include the highly anticipated Get active @ Northfield health and wellbeing facility which opened on Monday 26 September and is expected to have a real impact to the local community and surrounding areas.
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “Sport Aberdeen is committed to enhancing opportunities and inspiring people in the north-east to participate in sport and exercise – and reap the physical and mental health benefits that this brings.
“To be shortlisted in the Health & Wellbeing category is a real privilege and gives credit to the difference we make through our programmes.
“Congratulations to all the finalists, there are so many fantastic organisations in our region, and it is great way to showcase all the hard work that takes place.”
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at The Sandman Signature Hotel in Aberdeen on Thursday 10 November.
Sport Aberdeen is still on a high after a fantastic evening on Saturday 17 September at P&J Live, celebrating some remarkable third sector organisations at the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards.
Making a return for the first time since 2019, the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards welcomed more than 570 attendees who came together to recognise the amazing work carried out by charities, social enterprises, volunteers and fundraisers in the city and the positive, life changing impact this makes to society.
With thirty-three finalists shortlisted across 11 award categories, Sport Aberdeen was truly honoured to be a winner in two categories.
WeToo! and Sport Aberdeen were named Team of the Year, recognising their strong partnership established to pull together an itinerary of sports activities as part of Summer of Play 2021 – funded by Aberdeen City Council (ACC) – for children with additional support needs.
The collaboration between the two charities ensured that families were able to access relaxed sessions and meet the Summer of Play criteria for children and young people to ‘reconnect, socialise and play.’
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “It is always humbling to accept award recognition and we are absolutely delighted to receive special appreciation for our work with WeToo!
“WeToo! is a fantastic charity, empowering parents and carers of children with additional support needs and we look forward to our continued strong partnership working in the future.”
Phionna McInnes, Chief Executive at WeToo! said: ““I am thrilled to have our work and continued partnership with Sport Aberdeen recognised with the Team of The Year award.
“Teamwork within any single organisation is important, however for two organisations to come together and appreciate that as a team, we could achieve better, is incredibly special.
“I am proud of how much we have grown together and delighted to have this recognised by the panel and judges at Celebrate Aberdeen.”
Bob Thow was awarded Volunteer of the Year, recognising his commitment to volunteering at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre weekly, delivering lessons to individuals with additional support needs and private lessons for children aged 4 or those who are struggling.
Bob also volunteers with Special Olympics Grampian group, taking them to competitions in the UK and abroad, and he volunteers with the Special Olympics GB team.
Commenting on his win, Bob said: “I felt privileged to make the shortlist for the Volunteer of the Year category but to win was a complete surprise!
“I thoroughly enjoy volunteering with Special Olympics GB and with Sport Aberdeen at its Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre – it is so rewarding to watch the individuals I work with flourish and become more independent. “I really appreciate the recognition of this award.”
Sport Aberdeen is ecstatic to receive the news that it is a finalist in two categories of the Northern Star Business Awards 2023.
The prestigious awards – organised and hosted by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) – provide a perfect platform to showcase the talent and hard work being carried out by local businesses across a variety of sectors in the north-east.
65 organisations have been shortlisted in 13 categories. Sport Aberdeen is thrilled to be a finalist in the ‘Business of the Year’ category, demonstrating the positive impact it has made on the region’s economy in the last 12 months.
Its entry focused on successfully achieving growth, not only in income, but through increased participation in sport and physical activity as part of its commitment to getting more people across the city active. The charity experienced a 19.1% increase in Get active memberships compared to financial year 2020/2021 and a 25.6% increase in income.
Sport Aberdeen is also a finalist in the ‘Student Placement’ category, recognising the amazing contribution and impression made by a student from Robert Gordon University (RGU) during their placement.
Molly McMillan, a third year Digital Marketing student, completed her placement in the marketing and commercial development team for a duration of 12 weeks, from January to April 2022. She helped to develop content for social media, draft blogs and press releases, generate ideas for TikTok content and helped with monthly reporting.
Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted in two categories, along with so many other talented and deserving businesses from across our region.
“I am extremely proud of our team for continuing to break down barriers and help more people in Aberdeen to get active and take part in some form of physical activity.”
The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on April 28 at P&J Live Aberdeen. The full list of finalists can be viewed here.
An Aberdeen partnership makes a return with its popular initiative – Step out September – designed to combat social isolation and inspire people to get active.
Individuals of all ages and abilities from across the city are invited to take part in safe and local walks, meet new people, and improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Step out September is a partnership project between Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP), RGU SPORT, Aberdeen Sports Village and Aberdeen FC Community Trust.
The named partners collaborate in a wider movement ‘Stay Well Stay Connected’ – a group established to promote enhanced health and wellbeing, develop meaningful community relationships by bringing people together and improve diversity and inclusion practice.
A range of gentle social walks will take place from 18 to 26 September 2022 with the purpose of connecting people and enabling them to enjoy Aberdeen’s open spaces.
Everyone is welcome – individuals who use a wheelchair, walking aids or have a child in a buggy are invited along. No special equipment is required, but participants are encouraged to bring a jacket and wear comfortable shoes.
Andrinne Craig, Sport Aberdeen Healthy Communities Manager, said: “We are so excited that Step out September is returning for a second time as it was so well received last year!
“We have a full timetable of social walks designed to break down barriers and ensure everyone in Aberdeen, regardless of age or ability, can get active and connect with others. A memories walk, buggy walks and menopause walks are new to our 2022 timetable.
“Many people enjoyed walking outdoors during the pandemic, not only for exercise purposes but to connect with the outdoors and their local community.
“It is our hope that Step out September will help people connect with their local social walking group and act as a starting point for people to come along once and then take part regularly if they wish.”
Emma Hunter, Operations Manager at Aberdeen FC Community Trust, said: “Aberdeen FC Community Trust is delighted to be part of the initiative and with the focus being on social isolation and health and wellbeing, these are key objectives that we aim to support our local community with.
“Our long-standing health walks are delivered by our fully trained health and wellbeing team and are a great first step into gentle exercise for anyone. We vary our walk destinations and one of the highlights is stopping off for a cuppa and a blether with friendly like-minded people.
“It’s the perfect motivation to get out and explore the local area while getting the body moving and activating the mind. We can’t wait to see some new participants and as always, they will be welcomed with open arms.”
The full timetable of walks and further information on the Step out September initiative can be found here.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council have announced the opening date for the much-anticipated health and wellbeing venue, Get active @ Northfield.
The £4.8m venue – funded by Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen and supported by sportscotland’s highest value grant of £100,000 – will open on Monday 26 September.
Get active @ Northfield will provide the local community with a 25m swimming pool, 40 station gym and a studio offering a range of fitness classes for all ages and abilities, as well as community wellbeing space.
Programmes within the venue will include specialised classes for older adults, help and support for those starting out on their fitness journey, public swimming sessions as well as swimming lessons for children and adults.
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen chairman, said: “We are delighted to welcome the community of Northfield and surrounding areas to their newly-modernised venue, which we believe will be a fantastic hub to support the health and wellbeing of local residents.
“Through the combined knowledge and resources of Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland, we are thrilled to be able to provide more opportunities for individuals to participate in sport and physical activity and see the life-changing impact that being active can have.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader, Councillor Ian Yuill, said: “This is a fantastic addition not only to the communities of Northfield and Mastrick, but communities across the city.
“Following the recent temporary decommissioning of the Beach Leisure Centre pool, it is great to have a new venue open and available to the public, providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader, Councillor Alexander Nicoll, said: “This is a very impressive facility, we look forward opening the doors at Get active @ Northfield.
“Physical activity has many positive impacts, we are pleased that people of all ages and abilities will be able to benefit from the programmes set to run within the new health and wellbeing venue.”
The excitement and buzz in the local community has been apparent in a recent survey conducted by Sport Aberdeen. The results highlighted that 98.5% of survey respondents said they will make use of Get active @ Northfield when it opens, with over 85% saying they will use the facilities more than once a week.
A Northfield resident said: “The new facility looks amazing – let’s get it open to the community!”
Another remarked: “I cannot wait to be able to get back active and fit with the gym, swimming pool, etc!”
