Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen bolsters its team with the recent appointment of Chief Instructor at Adventure Speyside, Tom Oxtoby.
Having a keen interest in outdoor pursuits from a young age, Tom obtained a BA (Hons) Outdoor Education in the Community degree from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow in his early career.
Now with more than 30 years’ industry-relevant experience, Tom has worked at destinations including Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre and centres based in Loch Lomond.
To add to his endeavours, he spent eight years working abroad at a summer camp in New Hampshire as Programme Director, showing 8 to 15-year olds the ropes with outdoor activities such as swimming and canoeing.
There is no doubt that Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role, based at Sport Aberdeen’s Adventure Speyside venue on a fulltime basis.
He has ambitious plans for the outdoor activity centre – which is situated in the heart of the Cairngorms and reopened in April this year. It offers activities including gorge walking, mountain biking, abseiling and rock climbing, to name a few.
Commenting on his appointment, Tom said: “I am really excited to embark on this new chapter of my career.
“I have a hunger for adventure and a passion for the outdoors, and I love sharing the experience with others so they can reap the benefits.
“Strathspey is a beautiful area of Scotland – it is my aim to attract new people to try new adventurous activities and enjoy all that is on offer.
“Whether it’s a corporate team building day out, a long weekend excursion for a group of adults or a school residential trip, Adventure Speyside has an array of bespoke packages to meet specific needs.”
Sport Aberdeen’s intake for its next 13-week course to become an outdoor activity instructor is also fast approaching, taking place from Monday 27 June to Friday 16 September. Accommodation is provided and participants will receive training towards seven National Governing Body qualifications. Further information and expressions of interest should be sent to adventureaberdeen@sportaberdeen.co.uk
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has kickstarted a dynamic new partnership with Denis Law Legacy Trust and its flagship programme, Streetsport.
Streetsport, delivered in partnership with Robert Gordon University, aims to improve the lives of young people through free week-nightly sports and creative activity sessions across Aberdeen City.
The new collaboration will see Sport Aberdeen provide free access to its 3G pitches at both Lochside Academy Astro and Northfield Bill Burr Astro for Streetsport to deliver its weekly Friday night sessions.
The partnership will run until March 2023, enabling Denis Law Legacy Trust to plan forward and ensure the youngsters in their respective areas will continue to have access to free sporting facilities into next year.
Both charities play a key role in the local community, helping to inspire more children and young people to get active and have a positive impact on their lives through the power of sport.
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen chairman, said: “The new partnership provides exceptional synergies as both Sport Aberdeen and Streetsport are committed to creating opportunities for young people to take part in sport and physical activity.
“We look forward to working more closely with Streetsport and supporting each other with future opportunities.”
Alistair Findlater, Denis Law Legacy Trust chairman, said: “We’re very grateful to Sport Aberdeen for their continued support and partnership. In a climate of spiralling costs for many, being able to host Streetsport sessions and offer free sport to young people across the city is so important.
“Having free access to the Astro pitches means we can deliver these sessions to the best of our ability with added staff and sporting equipment to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our participants.”
Image: L-R Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust, Alistair Findlater, Chairman, Denis Law Legacy Trust and Tony Dawson, Chairman, Sport Aberdeen
Congratulations to Active Schools Coordinator, Katrina Carr, who won the ITF Taekwon-Do European Championships in Porec, Croatia.
Katrina competed in the -56kg senior female sparring division with her coach, Mark Boydell. At the competition, she had five bouts with wins against competitors from Poland, Spain, Romania and Italy.
Forming part of the ITF Scotland National Taekwon-Do team, Katrina has now scooped the ITF -56kg European Champion title. This is her 5th European Title and she also currently holds the -56kg World Champion title.
Having started Taekwon-Do at nine years old, Katrina holds her 3rd degree blackbelt. She has been training for 15 years with Boydell Blackbelt Academies based in Laurencekirk and has competed for Scotland since 2012.
Commenting on her accomplishment, Katrina said: “I’m still on a high after becoming the European Champion at the ITF Taekwon-Do Championships in Croatia.
“I’m really passionate about Taekwon-Do and committed to my training, so this is a fantastic achievement for me! “I have to thank my coaches, family and friends for their support and Sport Aberdeen for granting me paid leave to compete.”
Twenty-five individuals from Special Olympics GB’s World Winter Games team gathered in Aberdeen to take part in a weekend of fun and celebration from Friday 20 May to Sunday 22 May.
The assembled team of 10 alpine skiers and five ice skaters (plus four management and six coaches) were due to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games which were supposed to be held in Kazan, Russia in January 2023.
In what would have been the pinnacle of the Special Olympics GB winter sports calendar, sadly Special Olympics International took the decision to cancel the Games when the war in Ukraine started earlier this year.
The team faced additional setbacks including the postponement of the Games due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a change of venue prior to that.
Laura Davies, Assistant Head of Delegation for the Special Olympics GB World Winter Games team explains: “Given the many setbacks this fantastic team have had to go through, it felt only right to get together to have a weekend of fun to celebrate their journey from selection to this point.
“Throughout the last two years, our athletes have never stopped training and doing their best under very stressful and difficult circumstances. Training at home on their own via Zoom and being creative in venues other than ice-rinks and ski-slopes during lockdown, their resilience and determination to give it their all throughout has been truly amazing. Huge thanks to the management and coaching team who have been fantastic throughout. Huge thanks also to our families for their continued support during this time.”
With the sun shining, Saturday was the big day with a packed schedule full of fun activities and wellness sessions in the morning. In the afternoon, the ice-skaters had the opportunity to perform their World Games routines in front of the skiers. And as they changed venues, the skiers got a chance to take part in some races and show off their skills to the ice-skaters.
Scottish Olympian freestyle skier, Kirsty Muir also made a special guest appearance as she spent time with our athletes, watching them race and demonstrated her amazing freestyle skills. Kirsty is no stranger to the local Special Olympics Grampian athletes and often trains at the same time as them.
Kirsty Muir said: “I’m a big fan of Special Olympics Grampian and what they do. I often watch the local athletes training while I’m at the Snowsports Centre. To meet the rest of the World Winter Games team and watch them in action was a real pleasure. It’s such a shame the team couldn’t compete at the World Winter Games in Kazan, especially given how hard they trained during the pandemic, but these guys are brilliant and it’s fantastic the athletes were able to get together and celebrate their achievements so far.”
With activities centred around the Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre ski slope and Linx Ice Arena, Sport Aberdeen has been fantastic in its support of Special Olympics GB throughout the World Winter Games training by providing free access to venues, transport and pro-bono Communications support on the ground. All of which made the Special Olympics GB training weekends possible.
Bob Thow, Alpine Skiing Head Coach for Special Olympics Grampian said: “Huge thanks to Sport Aberdeen for their incredibly generous support. Training for a Special Olympics World Winter Games is never easy, but Sport Aberdeen have stepped up on several occasions and we are very grateful to them. Watching our athletes grow in confidence and develop their skills and friendships through their participation in sport is wonderful to be involved with and Sport Aberdeen regularly play a key role in making this happen.”
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said: “After the setbacks faced by the Special Olympics GB team, it was our pleasure to host and welcome them to our venues Linx Ice Arena and Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre.
“It was great to see the action-packed schedule come to life at the weekend and we were delighted to work in partnership with the Special Olympics GB team to make this happen. A huge well done to the athletes involved for their hard work and dedication to training – it definitely paid off!”
Aberdeen-based indoor adventure park Jump In recently hosted its inaugural rebound and trampoline festival for pupils with additional support needs (ASN).
A collaborative partnership between Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team, Live Life Aberdeenshire’s Active Schools team, Grampian Disability Sport, Scottish Disability Sport and Jump In brought the event to life, after it had been postponed from April 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event itself took place on Wednesday 27 April, with a morning session from 1015 to 1200 and an afternoon session from 1230 to 1400.
86 pupils with additional support needs gathered from across the city and shire for the festival, which was completely free to attend.
Grant Wilson, Active Schools Operations Manager at Sport Aberdeen, said: “This festival demonstrates the positive impact of partnership working – bringing new activity opportunities to children and young people with additional support needs across the city and shire.
“The smiles on their faces told the whole story; it was clear they had lots of fun and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”
Sport Aberdeen has been shortlisted for the Healthy Communities award at this year’s ukactive Awards.
The organisation is in the running for one of the industry’s biggest accolades, as trade body ukactive recognises the very best in the physical activity sector.
Held in partnership with Active IQ, the shortlist for the ukactive Awards 2022 includes fitness and leisure operators of all sizes, local councils, prominent suppliers, leading universities, sports bodies, and charities.
Placing community focus at the forefront of everything it does, Sport Aberdeen’s entry focused on its unique Active Lifestyles Referral Programme (ALRP). The programme offers specialist classes across Aberdeen, specifically designed for people living with a range of health conditions including cancer, arthritis, stroke, breathing conditions and those at risk of having a fall.
The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday 30 June, with hundreds of leaders from the worlds of fitness, health, leisure and sport expected to attend.
“We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Healthy Communitiesaward in this year’s ukactive awards.
“Giving back and improving the lives of those in the local community is the lifeblood of what we do here at Sport Aberdeen, so it is great to receive recognition for our efforts.”
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “We are delighted but not surprised by the number of incredible entries and stories we have received for this year’s ukactive Awards, which is testament to the unquestionable resilience and innovation within our sector.
“We are extremely proud of all of our members, who have worked so hard in rebuilding the sector and our nation’s health following the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Congratulations to all the finalists and we look forward to seeing celebrating our industry at the awards ceremony this summer.”
Jenny Patrickson, Managing Director at Active IQ, said: “I’m delighted to see this year’s awards attract such a strong field of entries and send my congratulations to all the finalists.
“The standard has been very high once again this year and I would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to put forward their entry for consideration.
“Active IQ is proud to once again be the headline sponsor for the ukactive Awards and we’re particularly looking forward to seeing everyone in person at this year’s event. Ahead of that, I wish all the finalists the best of luck for the next stage of judging.”
Join us at the ukactive Awards 2022 in Birmingham on Thursday 30 June.
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen is ecstatic to be named as a finalist in the Community Impact category of the 2022 Elevator Awards.
Sponsored by Maybe, the Community Impact Award recognises an organisation that gives back, makes a significant contribution to society and demonstrates that community involvement is at the core of everything it does.
Phil Anderson Financial Services and The Habitat People have also been shortlisted as finalists in the category.
For more than 20 years, the Elevator Awards have been celebrating business success, entrepreneurial excellence and impressive community-driven initiatives in the north-east.
The glittering awards ceremony will take place at Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen on Thursday 23 June.
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “It is an honour to be shortlisted for this award together with Phil Anderson Financial Services and The Habitat People.
“The ethos of Sport Aberdeen is all about giving back and we work hard to build new and existing partnerships, broaden our reach and change lives through the power of sport and physical activity in the local community.”
Sport Aberdeen was delighted to partner with Scottish Rugby to host the Saltire Energy Caledonia Cup Youth finals day on the playing fields at Get active @ Sheddocksley on Sunday 1 May.
An action-packed day showcasing youth rugby in Caledonian, 32 teams congregated to play in 15 finals across five rugby pitches between 10.30am and 5pm.
The event was hailed a great success, with a large turnout of spectators in attendance to cheer on the players, as well as visits from Councillor Jenny Laing and The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor Barney Crockett.
Tony Dawson, chairman of Sport Aberdeen, said: “Sport Aberdeen was privileged to co-host this prestigious event.
“The buzz on the day was immense and I hope we have the opportunity to support a similar event in Aberdeen in the foreseeable future.”
Fraser Govan, Regional Manager – Caledonia North, commented: “Sunday’s finals day of the Saltire Energy Caledonia Cup was simply outstanding! All fixtures were played in great spirit, with lots of talent and skill on display. It was a fantastic showcase event for rugby in the Caledonia region.
“Scottish Rugby is proud to continue supporting our Caledonia clubs and communities access this long-standing and meaningful competition, but we could not have done it without the support of Sport Aberdeen for providing the Get active @ Sheddocksley playing fields as our host venue. On behalf of Scottish Rugby, I would like to extend my thanks to all at Sport Aberdeen for helping make our finals day such a success.”
Mike Loggie, Founder and Chief Executive of Saltire Energy, said: “It was a privilege to support and attend the largest Youth Rugby Finals Day in the country and to see the event take place in our local community, Aberdeen.
“A sporting event of this scale will hopefully inspire more young people in the local area to take up rugby and Saltire Energy very much looks forward to continuing to support the long-term growth of the game in the region.”
The full list of fixtures and results from the day can be seen below and on Scottish Rugby’s website here.
Girls U16 Shield, 10.30am | Highland RFC 0 – 50 Tayside Girls
Boys U15 Bowl, 10.30am | Ellon RFC 12 – 0 Mackie RFC
Boys U18 Shield , 11.00am | Howe of Fife / Bell Baxter High School 12 – 5 Aberdeen Wanderers RFC
Girls U16 Cup, 12.00pm | Caithness RFC 7 – 40 Stirling County RFC
Boys U18 Plate, 12.30pm | Moray / Huntly 22 – 17 The North
Boys U16 Shield, 12.45pm | Orkney RFC 14 – 57 Dundee Rugby Boys U15 Shield, 1.00pm | Highland RFC 14 – 12 Aberdeen Wanderers RFC
Boys U15 Plate, 1.45pm | Moray / Huntly 26 – 29 Dunfermline RFC
Boys U18 Bowl, 2.15pm | Ellon RFC 21 – 28 Livingston RFC
Boys U16 Bowl, 2.15pm | Kirkcaldy RFC 14 – 22 Dunfermline RFC
Boys U15 Cup, 2.30pm | Perthshire RFC 14 – 28 Howe of Fife / Bell Baxter High School
Boys U16 Cup, 4.00pm | Mackie RFC 24 – 57 Howe of Fife / Bell Baxter High School
Boys U18 Cup, 4.00pm | Stirling County RFC 33 – 38 Mackie RFC
Boys U16 Plate, 4.00pm | Glenrothes RFC 5 – 13 Montrose and District RFC
Girls U18 Cup, 4.00pm | Stirling County RFC 50 – 0 Dundee / Fife / Kelpies
Following a successful application, award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen is delighted to receive £200,000 of funding from Aberdeen City Council through the Education Recovery Fund.
The fund’s purpose is to help Scotland’s education system positively respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and will provide support to both staff and learners in the sector.
Sport Aberdeen will use the funding secured to employ 12 Active Schools Assistants who will work in every school, both primary and secondary, across Aberdeen.
The Active Schools Assistants will deliver targeted programmes on a one-to-one basis or in small groups of pupils as identified by the school, with a responsibility to encourage young people to participate in free physical activity sessions and join extracurricular sports clubs. Each will play a key role in improving the health and wellbeing of local young people.
Councillor M. Tauqeer Malik, Education Operational Delivery Convener at Aberdeen City Council, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Sport Aberdeen to focus on increasing opportunities for our children & young people to engage in physical activity, responding to individual wellbeing needs and the impact of the pandemic. This partnership working provides us with an opportunity to target support, increase engagement at focused times within the school day and build on the skills and experiences that Active Schools already provide within our settings.”
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “This is the first time we have been awarded funding through the Education Recovery Fund, so it is a real boost for us!
“By employing extra Active Schools Assistants throughout the city, we will be able to amplify our impact and help local children and young people in the community to realise and achieve their full potential. “We are confident that our ambitious programme of targeted support will make a tangible difference.”
Sport Aberdeen celebrates its latest triumph with a win at the Northern Star Business Awards (NSBA) 2022 ceremony, held at P&J Live on Friday 22 April.
Welcoming more than 700 people to the sparkling ceremony, the event shone a light on the exceptional accomplishments of businesses in Aberdeen city.
Sport Aberdeen scooped the ‘Making the Difference’ award – sponsored by Balmoral Group – which recognises the impact and progress it has made towards driving positive change within the local community.
Targeted initiatives including its SPACE programme (working with care experienced children and young people) and Active Lifestyles programme (supporting individuals with long term health conditions) were among those acknowledged for making a difference.
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “I am so pleased that Sport Aberdeen has secured this award, for helping to inspire people and change lives through the power of sport and physical activity.
“Every penny we make is reinvested back into the communities we serve, and this accolade is testament to the hard work and determination of everyone who works for the charity.”