We are truly saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and send our condolences to the Royal Family, and to all across the UK and wider Commonwealth at this time.
Information on how the City of Aberdeen will mourn her passing can be found here.
Please note that all Sport Aberdeen venues will be closed on Monday 19 September in recognition of Her Majesty’s State Funeral.
We jumped at the chance to catch up with Aberdeen rhythmic gymnast Louise Christie after her remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Games.
Louise is a Holiday Camp Leader for us at Sport Aberdeen and she trains from our venue Get active @ Beacon as part of Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics club.
Have a read of our interview with Louise below. ⬇️
Q. You’ve just won Scotland’s first medal in rhythmic gymnastics since 1994, delivering Team Scotland’s best-ever result in the competition with a silver medal success! How does that feel?
It feels so surreal! It still hasn’t sunk in yet and I haven’t stopped watching the video in disbelief of what I’ve achieved. To know I’ve made history in my sport for Scotland means the world to me and hopefully it inspires the future generation and shows them these results are possible.
Q. How was your overall Commonwealth Games experience in Birmingham?
My experience at the Commonwealth Games was amazing. The atmosphere in the arena was something that I will remember forever. It was also special to compete at a multi-sport event and be inspired by other incredible and world class athletes in the village. I have learnt so much through my experience in Birmingham and can’t wait to see what’s next in the future.
Q. What’s next for you now? Are you taking some time to celebrate or are you straight back to training?
I have already started training again as I am representing Great Britain at a world challenge cup in Romania at the end of the month however, I will have a bit of a break after this to reset and recover before getting back into training to work towards some new goals.
A moment with one of Louise’s coaches, Amy Stewart…
Q. Louise has made history with her achievement, how did it feel watching her standing on the podium?
Louise standing on that podium made me very emotional, throughout the ceremony I couldn’t hold back the tears! To see the Scotland flag rising up and knowing history had been made was a life changing moment for both of us and very well deserved. I feel everything that happened and all that was achieved at the Commonwealth Games was a long time coming for Scotland.
Q. You’ve done an amazing job as Louise’s coach, is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you! I mean it wasn’t an easy journey to get everything right for Louise, with our new code of points coming into play at the beginning of the year as well as many changes being made and new routines etc, but it was all worth it in the end.
You can read more about what inspired Louise to take up rhythmic gymnastics in our previous story here. If you feel that your child(ren) would enjoy the sport, then check out our Gymnastics Aberdeen programme, which operates from various venues across the city.
Pupils at Oldmachar Academy are gearing up for an inspirational afternoon on Friday 2 September as part of the build up to the Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest cycling race.
Arranged by The Archie Foundation with support from Lead Active Schools Coordinator, John Dixon – 20 Higher PE pupils will gather in the school’s library to welcome a visit from two of the world’s top Paralympic cyclists, Neil Fachie OBE and Lora Fachie OBE.
Husband and wife Neil and Lora will showcase the world of Para-cycling and speak about sporting triumphs throughout their careers at the Paralympic Games, Road World Championships, Track World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
After the engaging and inspirational presentation, pupils will have the chance to ask questions.
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Higher PE pupils at Oldmachar Academy to be inspired and hear from two world-class Paralympic cyclists.
“It is great to see a plethora of activities on offer in the north-east as part of the Tour of Britain cycling festival and we are delighted to be involved.
“Following this event, we hope to strengthen Sport Aberdeen’s partnership with The Archie Foundation and explore ways to collaborate again in the future.”
Lynne Brooks, Partnerships Manager at The Archie Foundation, said: ““We are delighted to be bringing together both a visit to Neil’s old high school and to Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) this week, to help inspire the next generation. “Neil and Lora are incredibly inspirational individuals, both Neil and Lora have recently joined as Patrons of The Archie Foundation and we hope that will inspire many of our patients that anything is possible, no matter your diagnosis.”
Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre has formed an agreement with Aberdeen’s inclusive running club, Aberdeen Frontrunners.
Aberdeen Frontrunners is one of Scotland’s newest inclusive running clubs which welcomes all sections of the community, with an emphasis on LGBT+ communities and their allies. The club was originally founded in September 2019 and restarted in June 2021.
The group currently has around 30 active members and is looking to continue growing. It organises two weekly runs, one being at the beach on a Wednesday evening from 1830 to 1930.
Thanks to an agreement established with Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Frontrunners will have access to the following facilities at its Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre venue from Wednesday 31 August:
- Use of grass area for meeting, warmups and cooldowns
- Use of café seating area for 15 minutes pre and post run if required
- Use of toilet facilities and showers if desired
- Use of lockers
Gavin Davidson, in charge of Community & Partnerships at Aberdeen Frontrunners, said: “This is great news and a big boost to the club. We talked it over and the Club Committee are very pleased with the idea.
“Thanks a lot for your assistance with this.”
More than 200 University of Aberdeen postgraduate students on the Professional Graduate Diploma in Primary Education (PGDE) course gathered at the King’s Pavilion Playing Fields on Wednesday 17 August to attend an Active Schools event.
Through continued effective partnership working between Active Schools Aberdeen and University of Aberdeen, the day was organised with the purpose of upskilling the next generation of Primary school teachers – building their confidence in the delivery of physical education (PE).
Two group sessions were planned and organised by Active Schools Coordinator Cameron Robinson – a morning session from 1000 to 1230 and an afternoon session from 1300 to 1530. These were delivered by Active Schools Coordinators from across the city, supported by staff from University of Aberdeen.
The students took part in different sporting activities including touch rugby, football, hockey, athletics and circuits, learned about the practicalities of delivering PE in a classroom environment, and were given a platform to ask questions before going on placement.
This complements the work of the Physical Education, Physical Activity and School Sport (PEPASS) group, consisting of representatives from Aberdeen City Council’s Integrated and Family Services and the Sport and Leisure industry, with the shared goal of improving the quality and access to sport and physical activity.
Kim McRobbie, Active Schools Inclusion Manager, said: “PE is a crucial part of the primary school curriculum, having a positive impact on children’s physical health and emotional wellbeing.
“It’s great to play our part in helping future teachers to develop the fundamental skills and be confident when teaching PE through our successful partnership working with University of Aberdeen.
“It’s alarming to see and hear how negative past experiences of PE have stayed with students and teachers into adulthood. Our role is to inspire them to change this for the next generation of school children.
“One student commented that they hated PE at school which made them nervous about the event… but by the end of the day, they said they loved it! Everyone took part in every activity, seeing that sport is for all.
“I’d like to give a huge thanks to Active Schools Coordinator Cameron Robinson for his responsibility in organising the day, and Alyson Young, Programme Director for the PGDE programme. We look forward to building on this partnership going forward.”
Alyson Young, PGDE (Primary) Programme Director at University of Aberdeen, said: “The School of Education at the University of Aberdeen has been working closely with Active Schools Aberdeen and the PEPASS group for a number of years and now that the PGDE (Primary) Programme has returned to campus we were very keen to give our students some practical experiences of PE before they embark on their first placement.
“I think it’s fair to say that a lot of fun was had by students and staff alike! Participation and engagement by students was extremely high, with many talking about how this practical experience gave them more confidence and changed their perceptions of what PE would be like. It was also great to hear students reflecting on their experiences and asking challenging questions, particularly about inclusion.
“What a great opportunity to develop and understand skills and attitudes in physical activity and PE for a new generation of primary teachers. A huge thanks to everyone involved and we can’t wait to do it again soon!”
Ian McGregor, Partnership Manager at sportscotland, said: “Sport and physical activity has a huge role to play in young people’s development and that’s why it’s so important that the experience they have at school is a positive one.
“This partnership between Active Schools Aberdeen and University of Aberdeen is a fantastic way to upskill the teachers of the future and give them the confidence they need to provide young people with more and better opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Looking ahead, Active Schools and University of Aberdeen are planning a similar session with the HWB course in the 2nd year of the MA in Education Programme (the 4-year undergraduate programme) and in the second semester of the PGDE(P) programme.
In order to keep our main greens playable all year round, it is crucial that we carry out our Greens Maintenance Programme.
This year, we’ll be closing our courses whilst the works take place. We’ve integrated this into our calendar to cause as little disruption as possible and will endeavour to have the courses back open for play as soon as we can.
The courses will be closed on the following dates:
- Kings Links – 5 to 7 September
- Hazlehead Pines – 12 to 14 September
- Hazlehead 9 Hole – 12 to 14 September (temporary greens will be in play on the 9-hole course)
- MacKenzie Championship – 19 to 21 September
- Balnagask – 26 to 28 September
The works are weather dependent and whilst this will cause some temporary disruption, we hope to keep this to a minimum.
Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) visited our courses to inspect the greens on two occasions this season, so after it made recommendations, our Greens Maintenance Programme consists of:
- Scarification to remove organic matter
- Aeration where greens are hollow cored/solid tined
- Application of wetting agent whilst the cores are open
- Top dress the greens to fill the holes
- Overseed the greens
- Apply fertiliser to the greens
The maintenance programme also incorporates the results of organic matter testing recently completed on our greens.
We thank you for your continued support and patience during this time.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen is ecstatic to successfully secure £10,000 of funding from Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP)’s Health Improvement Fund.
The Health Improvement Fund supports initiatives that improve health and wellbeing for people across Aberdeen – Sport Aberdeen used the funding to purchase an electrically assisted Trishaw from Cycling Without Age Scotland.
An exciting new project for the Aberdeen area – Cycling Without Age Scotland gives individuals with limited mobility the opportunity to experience the joy of cycling in their later years through excursions on a Trishaw.
Electrically assisted Trishaws, with two seats between their two front wheels, enable a ‘pilot’ to take two people for excursions at any one time.
Working alongside Cycling Without Age Scotland, Sport Aberdeen has a growing group of volunteer ‘pilots’ ready to take Trishaw passengers out to experience the great outdoors and local sightseeing, feel the wind in their hair and enjoy the social interaction of the rides. After a successful launch event on Friday 19 August at Get active @ Westburn, Sport Aberdeen is looking to initially work with local partners including social care charity Inspire and residential care home VSA’s Crosby House – both organisations having expressed a keen interest in Trishaw rides for their service users.
Andrinne Craig, Healthy Communities Manager, said: “This is a fantastic project to be part of and we are so excited to have the first electrically assisted Trishaw in Aberdeen.
“A huge thanks to ACHSCP for the funding so that we could make this project come to life and a massive thanks to Cycling Without Age Scotland for its ongoing support and knowledge in helping us to train our volunteer ‘pilots’.
“Also, a big thanks to our volunteers… for giving up their time to play a vital role in transforming the lives of future Trishaw passengers, enabling them to be immersed in a new outdoor experience and come back with rosy cheeks and full of stories.
“We want to spread the joy and hope to work with other local partners and organisations who are interested and see the potential.”
Chris Smillie, Public Health Coordinator (Central) at Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership’s Health Improvement Fund aims to support new initiatives that will help improve health and wellbeing in communities across the city.
“We know that regular physical activity and social interaction can be hugely beneficial for people’s mental and physical wellbeing which is why Sport Aberdeen’s new Cycling Without Age scheme is such a great idea and one that is sure to be very popular.”
Christine Bell, Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Without Age Scotland, said: “This is a momentous and really exciting day for us as this is the first development outside central Scotland of Cycling Without Age Scotland’s “Trishaw in Iconic Places” programme: a great service now being offered in iconic places in an iconic city by an amazing group of people.
“We’ve been so impressed by the enthusiastic and energetic commitment of everyone at Sport Aberdeen to making a really positive difference in their community. We’ve been especially impressed by the breadth of their vision – the way that they seek every opportunity to offer this very special service to as many people as possible in a flexible, imaginative and completely inclusive way. They’ve wholeheartedly embraced the ethos of Cycling Without Age which has made it so valued and successful across the world – and they’ve been a dream to work with.
“It’s not just the passengers of course who will benefit! The volunteer Trishaw pilots and all other volunteers will have a truly fulfilling time as they enrich and enhance lives and make terrific new friendships.
“Everything we’ve seen in the development of this project by Sport Aberdeen makes us absolutely certain that it will be a great success.”
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has teamed up with Aberdeen FC Ladies and scored funding to upgrade the Garthdee 3G Pitch located at Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre.
The Scottish Football Partnership Trust particularly liked the emphasis on the environmental aspects of the project and have seen fit to award up to £20,000 for the floodlighting and kickboard elements of the upgrade – after a successful joint-application was submitted by Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen FC Ladies.
In addition, funding has also been secured from Scottish Football Association’s Grassroots Football Facilities Fund and landowner, Aberdeen City Council has also contributed with a further significant allocation towards the project.
The Garthdee 3G Pitch is used regularly by Aberdeen FC Ladies Club, with teams ranging from U8s up to the U18s National Academy Programme. Teams from Robert Gordon University as well as pupils from Harlaw Academy also make frequent use of the pitch.
The key improvement works – kicking off in August – will include a complete resurface of the pitch, new ecologically efficient LED lighting to replace the existing floodlights, and new fencing and timber kickboards around the area of play to limit the migration of microplastics into the local environment.
Local primary schools and the Active Schools Aberdeen team can expect to enjoy more frequent use of the newly refurbished Garthdee 3G Pitch by early autumn when the works are due for completion.
“We are delighted to secure funding in partnership with Aberdeen FC Ladies from The Scottish Football Partnership Trust to improve the Garthdee 3G Pitch, reducing the energy usage and carbon footprint of this popular, well used facility.
“Through our existing partnership with Denis Law Legacy Trust and its flagship programme, Streetsport, we provide free access to our 3G pitches at both Lochside Academy Astro and Northfield Bill Burr Astro to deliver its weekly Friday night sessions. There is potential for Garthdee to be included as another location in the future.
“The ultimate goal is to encourage more young people to participate in sport and physical activity at our much-improved facility.”
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen Chairman
Stuart McCaffrey, Chief Operating Officer at The Scottish Football Partnership & Trust, said: “We are committed to working with likeminded partners and aim to deliver investment into community-based football clubs and organisations to support them to grow and develop and be more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable, harnessing the wider benefits football can have on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people and the positive impact we can make to the environment.
“We are delighted to be working with Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen F.C. Ladies and we look forward to seeing the upgraded facility at Garthdee begin to take shape in the weeks ahead.”
Hazel Reid, Chairperson of Aberdeen FC Ladies, said: “Aberdeen FC Ladies is delighted to have been successful in a joint bid with Sport Aberdeen to The Scottish Football Partnership & Trust for new ecologically efficient LED lighting, fencing and timber kickboards around the area of play. This can only enhance the replacement pitch which will be a new, state of the art, 3G surface.
“Aberdeen FC Ladies is a well-established club within the city. It was identified by Sport Aberdeen as the Key Partner Club at the facility and has a pathway in place to offer players the opportunity to participate from U8s to U18s Regional teams and U16s and U18s National Academy Programme teams.
“Additionally, through a partnership with Aberdeen FC, our players have the opportunity to participate from youth with Aberdeen FC Ladies to the highest senior club level with Aberdeen FC Women. We are looking forward to the benefits of the refurbished pitch and enhanced lighting for both training and matches and we would like to thank Aberdeen City Council for their contribution to the project.”
Sport Aberdeen is ecstatic to be recognised by the UK Government for its outstanding support towards the Armed Forces Community by achieving a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award.
Representing the highest badge of honour, Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards are presented to organisations that employ and support those who serve, veterans and their families.
This is the ninth year of the awards scheme, which continues to grow in strength each year.
Nickie Scorgie, Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development, said: “We are so proud to play our part here at Sport Aberdeen in showing our support towards the Armed Forces Community and it is an honour to receive Gold status.”
To win an award from the Ministry of Defence, organisations must show that they provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, reserves, Cadet Force adult volunteers and spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
They must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Minister for Defence People Leo Docherty said: “Regardless of size, location or sector, employing members of the Armed Forces community is good for businesses.
“These awards recognise the outstanding support for our Armed Forces from employers across the UK and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one.”
Gavin Taylor – employed by Sport Aberdeen as an outdoor instructor – previously served nine years in The British Army, where he discovered his passion for outdoor adventures.
He also previously held an adventure instructor training role at Gordon Barracks in Aberdeen for a few years.
Gavin commented: “Completing the outdoor instructor training course through Sport Aberdeen enabled me to gain some amazing new friends and colleagues and settle into a great working environment.
“I have turned most of my military qualifications into civilian ones which has been ideal and working outdoors has positively impacted my physical and mental health.”
Sport Aberdeen also employed Lisa-Marie King in June as a trainee outdoor instructor through the Long Term Unemployment Scheme.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the scheme was launched to boost employment opportunities and enhance skill levels for people who live in the City Region.
After Lisa completes her three months of training, she will be a fully skilled and qualified outdoor instructor in a permanent position.
Lisa remarked: “Sport Aberdeen has given me the opportunity of a lifetime – being in the Armed Forces for four years gave me a glimpse of adventurous training and I always knew it was something I was meant to do.
“So far throughout the instructor training course, I have completed summer mountain leader training, mountain bike leader level 2, rock climbing, coasteering and gorge walking, and I am looking forward to paddle sports training in the coming weeks.
“It has been brilliant to have to the opportunity to engage children in the great outdoors as it has always been a passion of mine, and I am excited to see what the future holds in this new career.”
Talented young rhythmic gymnast Louise Christie is leaping with joy after being selected for the Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland.
Louise is part of Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics club and frequently trains at Get active @ Beacon – we caught up with her last week to find out more about her passion for the sport and how she’s feeling after receiving the exciting news…
Q. How old were you when you first started rhythmic gymnastics and which club are you part of?
I started rhythmic gymnastics when I was five years old at Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics club in Aberdeen and that is where I have trained ever since.
Q. What inspired you to take up the sport?
I enjoyed kindergym when I was little and always had a lot of energy, so my Mum signed me up for gymnastics not realising it was rhythmic. I loved it and that’s where my journey in the sport started.
Q. What do you love most about rhythmic gymnastics?
The build-up towards big competitions isn’t always easy so I love the satisfaction of achieving a goal or finishing a successful performance in a competition. I have also been really fortunate to travel internationally representing Great Britain which has allowed me to create so many amazing memories with my teammates.
Q. Who is your idol?
Two of my favourite rhythmic gymnasts are Salome Pazhava from Georgia and the current Olympic champion Linoy Ashram from Israel. Salome Pazhava always had a very unique and artistic style in her performances which I still find captivating to watch now, and Linoy Ashram was a very powerful and fast gymnast to watch. I was lucky enough to meet both gymnasts at the recent European Championships in Tel Aviv where they were coaching after retiring from the sport after the Tokyo Olympics. Outwith rhythmic gymnastics, I have many other sporting idols including Simone Biles, Tom Daley and Andy Murray who have all overcome many obstacles to achieve success in their fields.
Q. You won three medals at the 2022 British Rhythmic Championships, this is a phenomenal achievement. How did you find it?
The 2022 British Championships were amazing. My qualification window for the Commonwealth Games closed before the championships so there was less pressure on this event, and I really enjoyed performing and showing the improvements I had made over the first part of the year. Going into the championships, my big aim was to medal overall so to achieve 2nd place, as well as 2nd in the Clubs final and become British Ribbon champion exceeded my expectations and definitely gave me a boost heading into the European Championships.
Q. You recently competed in the 38th FIG Rhythmic European Championships in Tel Aviv, Israel – how did this feel? What were the highlights?
Competing at the European Championships was a dream come true. The atmosphere at the competition was amazing and I enjoyed every second of performing on such a big stage. I was lucky enough to meet some of my favourite gymnasts including the current Olympic champion Linoy Ashram and feel so inspired by the championships ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Q. You’ve been named as one of seven athletes chosen by Team Scotland to represent them at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this month – absolutely amazing news! Tell us a bit more about what this means to you…
My biggest sporting goal has always been to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games. I went to the 2014 games in Glasgow as a supporter which made it clear that was what I wanted to achieve in the sport. There aren’t many major events where you can represent Scotland, so it feels amazing to know I’ll be putting on the team Scotland kit this summer. I think the fact that the games are in Birmingham makes it even more special knowing my close friends and family will be in the audience living the dream with me.
Q. You must have a busy training schedule, what does a typical week of training look like for you?
At the moment, all of my training takes place at RGU Sport. As it is the school holidays, I am training from 5pm to 9pm on weekdays as well as Sundays. Within training, I warm up, do conditioning, flexibility and ballet before preparing for work on routines. When I head to my holding camp in Lilleshall on the 24th July, I will be back training during the day to get final preparations in before the games begin.
Q. How about your coaches – how important is their support and how have they contributed to your skill development?
Without my personal coach Amy, I would not be at the level I am today. She supports me 100% and motivates me to push myself and keep working towards my goals. As a team, we work well together and this has contributed to the success we have had over the past year. It makes it even more special that Amy is a coach for the Commonwealth Games, as we get to experience the competition together after working so hard to achieve my selection.
Q. What piece of advice would you give to someone new looking to try out rhythmic gymnastics for the first time?
For anyone wanting to try rhythmic gymnastics, my advice would be to enjoy what you are doing and persevere. It can take time to master new skills in any new sport, but if you love what you do and have goals you want to achieve, then work hard and anything is possible.
