The latest data published by sportscotland shows that the national Active Schools programme continues to have a positive impact on children’s physical activity levels with 7.3 million visits made to activities across Scotland in 2018/19, an increase of 0.4% on the previous year.
The national Active Schools programme, which is delivered in Aberdeen by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, seeks to create more opportunities for young people to take part in sport and physical activity across the country.
A whopping 281,742 visits to sessions were recorded across the city during the last academic year – 1.3% more than the previous year (2017/18).
During this time a total of 9,044 children and young people took part in Active Schools sessions in Aberdeen, where they were given access to an extensive range of activities.
The number of people delivering sessions across the country has also increased by 3.3% over the past year. In the Aberdeen area, 91% of the 980 deliverers were volunteers.
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities, said:
“The data speaks for itself and highlights how working with sportscotland we are continuing to make a real difference to young people’s lives in Aberdeen. The Active Schools programme plays a key role in encouraging the next generation to get involved in sports and to be healthy and active, and our dedicated Active Schools team successfully engages with an increasing number of young people across the city each year.
“We are very much looking forward to another busy year ahead and are committed to creating opportunities for more and more people, regardless of age and ability, to participate in physical activity.”
Mel Young, Chair of sportscotland, said:
“It is fantastic to see that Active Schools continues to grow year on year with more opportunities delivered and another increase in the number of people participating. Our mission is to help the people of Scotland get the most out of the sporting system at every level and Active Schools has a crucial role to play in engaging young people in sport and physical activity.
“We talk about making an impact together and Active Schools is a great example of working with the right partners in the right way to deliver results. The Active Schools network is reliant on strong local partnerships with schools, local authorities, sport development teams, regional managers from governing bodies of sport, volunteers and the clubs who welcome children and young people into their communities.”
Active Schools, one of sportscotland’s longest running flagship programmes, is designed to provide more and higher quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school. Developing effective pathways between schools and sports clubs in the local community is a key factor in its success and there are now 2,700 clubs linking directly with schools giving children and young people the opportunity to continue in sports to the level they choose.
Over 100 girls from secondary schools across Aberdeen gathered today (Friday 4 October) for an action-packed Active Girls Day event, celebrating the amazing work going into girls’ sport and the incredible role models making it happen.
The pioneering Active Girls Committee (AGC), supported by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team celebrated the national sportscotland initiative by hosting an activity day at the Beach Leisure Centre.
A record number of girls took part in a series of taster sessions run by Sport Aberdeen staff and community coaches including dance classes, spin classes, ice skating and a welcome talk delivered by members of the fifteen strong committee.
The AGC is run by girls from secondary schools across the city who are championing a move to get more young girls involved in sport and physical activity.
Committee members welcomed Kevin Stewart MSP to the 2019 gathering to witness the revolutionary initiative first hand and meet some of the dedicated young girls who are paving the way for their peers, helping to build confidence and break down barriers through sport and physical activity.
Kevin Stewart MSP commented:
“I’m extremely impressed with what I’ve seen here today, and obviously this is a great opportunity for young girls to get involved in sport.
“It is quite amazing to see some people being a little bit reticent at the start of a session and by the end really enjoying it and I hope that many of the young girls that have been here today will take the opportunity to build on their experience and continue participating in sporting activity.”
(Left to right) Keith Gerrard Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities, members of the Active Girls Committee and Kevin Stewart MSP.
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities, commented:
“The Active Girls Committee has gone from strength to strength, highlighting the value of working together with governing bodies in Scotland to inspire more young people to take up sport and physical activity in Aberdeen.
“The Active Girls Day is a fantastic opportunity for girls from across the city to come together and, for many, try something completely new within a fun and friendly environment, helping to boost confidence and pave the way for more young people to reap the benefits of leading an active lifestyle.
“This group of enthusiastic girls have already produced impressive and positive results and it really is inspiring to see first-hand what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.”
sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris said:
“We want as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity. From improving physical and mental health, to developing skills and strengthening communities, sport can be life changing.
“The Active Girls Committee in Aberdeen is already having a positive impact, encouraging girls to participate in sport and this event is a fantastic way to celebrate Active Girls Day.”
Sport Aberdeen show that ‘Staff Matter’ at Granite City business awards
Sport Aberdeen last night celebrated yet another successful awards night at the prestigious Northern Star Business Awards 2019, being announced as winner in the ‘Staff Matter’ category.
The award recognises the local charities commitment to the development and support of its employees and the culture of retention and promotion of internal talent that the charity prides itself on.
Nickie Scorgie, Head of HR and Organisational Development said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have taken home the top spot in the Staff Matter category. This award is for each and every member of Team Sport Aberdeen, and I was honoured to be the recipient on their behalf.
“Our staff are the heartbeat of Sport Aberdeen and because of their dedication and hard work, we, as a charity, can continue to offer so many opportunities to people across the whole city, to encourage more people to get active and reap the benefits of participating in sport and physical activity.
“We are all dedicated to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.”
The Northern Star Business Awards, now in their 16th year, recognise companies in the north-east for their exceptional accomplishments across a range of fields from internationalisation and innovation to people development, environmental action and customer service.
Sport Aberdeen has announced the appointment of Tony Dawson as Chairman of the Board of the award-winning charity, having previously served as Vice Chairman for the past two years.
Outgoing Chairman, Colin G. Taylor, stepped down after two years in the post, but will remain on the board as a Trustee Director, commenting “I very much look forward to continuing my work with this fantastic charity, which makes such a huge and lasting difference within our local community.”
During Mr Taylor’s tenure, Sport Aberdeen has celebrated winning numerous prestigious industry awards alongside welcoming two new businesses to the charity, broadening the scope of services on offer to each and every person in Aberdeen, with a key goal of getting more people active.
Mr Dawson commented on his new appointment, saying:
“I am honoured to be stepping up to lead this brilliant and inspiring charity. Sport Aberdeen is at the heart of community sport and wellbeing within our city and I am extremely proud to be a part of one of the UK’s best leisure trusts.
“The continued developments and achievements that can be so clearly seen are a testament to the hard work of everyone involved and stand to highlight Sport Aberdeen’s value within the city, providing opportunities and changing lives through sport and physical activity.”
Mr Taylor added:
“It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to be Vice Chair and Chair of this award-winning charity over the last two years and I am delighted that Tony will be stepping up to take the reins, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience which will allow Sport Aberdeen to continue to flourish.
“I am in no doubt that Tony will continue to improve and foster our services, inspiring more people to take part in sport and physical activity, and I have every confidence that the charity has an extremely exciting and positive future ahead”.
Aquatics Aberdeen hope to make a splash at Scottish Swimming Awards
An Aberdeen swimming programme has, for the second time, made the final shortlist for a highly respected industry award.
Aquatics Aberdeen, run by award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen, will look to secure the title of ‘Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year’ at the 2019 Scottish Swimming Awards.
The popular Granite City programme took home the award in 2017 and will be looking to replicate that success at this year’s ceremony which takes place at Glasgow’s Radison Blu hotel on Saturday 28 September.
Aquatics Aberdeen provides swimming tuition from birth to adulthood as part of the ‘Learn to Swim’ programme which follows the Scottish Swimming Framework, with over 5,000 swimmers participating in weekly lessons across Aberdeen.
Dianne Breen, Sport Aberdeen Coached Programme Manager, said:
“We are all thrilled to have made the shortlist again for the ‘Provider of the Year Award’. This really highlights the dedication and passion that the Aquatics Aberdeen team put into their work day after day, year after year.
“The ‘Learn to Swim’ programme is a fantastic vehicle for children and adults alike to learn new skills and develop confidence in the water all whilst encouraging physical activity.”
The awards look to celebrate the fantastic work and commitment carried out in Scotland by athletes, coaches, clubs and partners across all disciplines of swimming.
Sport Aberdeen is celebrating the completion of exciting new developments at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre which will ensure an enhanced experience for snow sport fans in the north-east.
Colin G. Taylor, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, with Aberdeen primary pupils.
Managed by award-winning charity, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Snowsports Centre has invested over £100,000 into improving the slopes, including £72,000 from Aberdeen City Council’s Developer Obligations Fund.
The works include the installation of a travelator, a state-of-the-art conveyor to make access to the centres tubing slope and birthday party activities much easier and more fun, new high performance LED lighting and access improvements to the centre’s Hobbit Hut, a popular feature for parties and school groups.
As a way of celebrating the new improvements Aberdeen Snowsports Centre will be running a free tubing taster session on Saturday 24 August for people of all abilities aged five and up. The session will run from 15:00 – 16:30.
Aberdeen Snowsports Centre users will be able to make full use of the brand new travelator which has been installed on a section of the tubing slope. The equipment, often used in ski resorts worldwide, will enable people to hop on and off with ease, leaving more time for the slopes.
The addition of this moving walkway will also enable children and adults with additional support needs to access the slopes with greater ease, creating an inclusive environment where a wider range of people can participate in these exciting sporting activities.
Colin G. Taylor, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, officially opened the brand-new travelator, and commented on the improvements:
“We are delighted with the improvements to the Aberdeen Snowsports Centre and it is my hope that this will inspire more people to take to the slopes and enjoy the brilliant facilities we have on offer here in our city.
“Providing and maintaining first class sporting facilities which are accessible to the local community is a key factor in breaking down barriers and encouraging more people to participate in sport and physical activity, and in doing so reaping the social and health benefits attached to this.
“The new travelator for the tubing slope, and the wider improvement works, will help Aberdeen Snowsports Centre to offer more inclusive activities for customers of all abilities and interests, all year round which I am sure will be warmly welcomed.”
Image caption: Colin G. Taylor, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, right, with Wajeeha Hamid, Gavin Pedrog, Junaid Hamid, Abbie Pedrog, Matthew Johnston, Josh Karim, Hunter Castello, Emily Johnston, Talha Khan.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young people to take part in work experience programmes as a way of gaining invaluable industry experience.
Sport Aberdeen was delighted to offer placements to two students this summer, providing a real hands on feel for working in the leisure industry.
Twenty-year-old Stephanie Watson, an International Business student at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, recently finished a six-week placement which saw her working under Sport Aberdeen’s Digital and Communications leads within the busy Marketing and Communications department based at the charity’s head office in Bridge of Don.
Stephanie spoke fondly of her experience, saying:
“Work Placements are becoming increasingly more important to young people. There is a huge amount of competition when trying to secure a job post-graduation and therefore having internship experience puts you in an advantageous position.
“Sport Aberdeen has provided me with invaluable experience within their marketing department.
“They have created an opportunity which has allowed me to apply the knowledge I have gained at university to real-life situations and have also allowed me an insight into how a large organisation operates, which will be very beneficial for my future career.”
Megan Westwick, who is going into her final year at Banff Academy, was appointed to her position through Aberdeen City Council as part of their ‘Career Ready’ internship scheme, which aims to support young people to develop skills, confidence and gain the experience needed to kickstart a rewarding future career.
Megan’s four-week placement saw her assist Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team in the running of their busy summer holiday camps programme at the Beach Leisure Centre.
Image caption: Nickie Scorgie, Sport Aberdeen Head of HR and Organisational Development, Megan Westwick Sport Aberdeen placement student, Joanna Bell Sport Aberdeen Active Schools Assistant and Neil Yacamini, Aberdeen City Council Employee Transition Team Lead.
Nickie Scorgie, Sport Aberdeen Head of HR and Organisational Development, said:
“It has been fantastic having Stephanie and Megan on board with us over the summer in two very different, yet equally rewarding roles and Sport Aberdeen prides itself on providing an environment that attracts, develops and retains talent, from volunteers and interns right through to senior management positions.
“From citywide gyms and fitness facilities, to work within the wider communities through our Active Schools and Active Lifestyles programmes, we are in a unique position to offer a diverse range of work experience opportunities.
“The charity benefits hugely from investing in young people and we look to build a local network through work experience opportunities, aiming to attract students who share Sport Aberdeen’s vision of inspiring people, creating opportunities and changing lives through sport and physical activity.”
Image banner caption: Nickie Scorgie, Sport Aberdeen Head of HR and Organisational Development and Stephanie Watson, Sport Aberdeen placement student.
Sport Aberdeen presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Award-winning registered charity Sport Aberdeen was officially presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a charity or voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Sport Aberdeen Chairman Colin G. Taylor and volunteers from the charity were presented with the prestigious award by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeen, Councillor Barney Crockett.
In May this year volunteer representatives from the Granite City charity travelled to London to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace along with other recipients of this year’s award.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises and celebrates outstanding work by volunteer groups benefitting their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Volunteers contribute hugely to the community work carried out by Sport Aberdeen, including helping people to overcome mental health problems through participation in sport, helping to run ‘Move More Aberdeen’ classes – an innovative physical activity programme that helps people affected by cancer through physical activity. They also assist with ‘Active Lifestyles’ sessions – a programme developed specially for those starting out, recovering from injury, living with a long term health condition and older adults.
Colin G. Taylor, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, commented on receiving the award:
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Sport Aberdeen. Receiving this prestigious recognition is testament to the invaluable time and enthusiasm that is offered up on a daily basis by our volunteers, allowing Sport Aberdeen to serve the local community and change people’s lives through sport and physical activity.
“Nearly 1500 volunteers support in the delivery of Sport Aberdeen’s community-based programmes and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their commitment and outstanding service.”
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen is proud to have been announced as a finalist in two categories at a prestigious north-east third sector awards event.
The annual ‘Celebrate Aberdeen Awards’, which aims to shine a light on the city’s leading third sector organisations and individuals, has shortlisted Sport Aberdeen in the Large Organisation of the Year and as third sector partner in the Corporate Partnership of the Year category alongside Me Too!
The Large Organisation of the Year award recognises Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to providing positive change in the community through a variety of impactful programmes, with local people at the heart of them, as well as an ongoing modernisation of its facility network which currently comprises 19 venues across the city.
Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director said:
“It is always humbling to receive award recognition, and this only stands to highlight the incredible work carried out on a daily basis by our employees and volunteers alike. There is always a host of deserving entries to select from, so I am delighted that Sport Aberdeen has been selected as a finalist in not only one, but two categories this year.
“The last year has undoubtedly seen us face some challenges, but throughout this we have continued to focus on our goals of increasing participation in sport and physical activity by creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives.”
Sport Aberdeen’s ongoing work with local Additional Support Needs (ASN) charity, Me Too!, will also be in competition for an award with the organisations in the Corporate Partnership of the Year category.
The partnership launched the ‘Boost Band’ initiative last year at Sport Aberdeen’s Beach Leisure Centre, providing discreet wrist bands which can be worn when visiting venues which subtly notify trained staff of any hidden disabilities.
The initiative aims to create an environment of understanding and is designed to boost independence in all users and staff.
Phionna McInnes, Me Too! Chief Executive commented on the news:
“We are delighted that our ongoing relationship with Sport Aberdeen has been recognised by Celebrate Aberdeen.
“Boost Bands can empower parents and carers to have confidence to allow their cared for to have increased independence without having to explain to multiple staff members of their additional support needs.
“Rolling this initiative out across Sport Aberdeen’s venues has been a rewarding experience and it’s great to know that the reception form users and staff has been so positive.”
Families in Aberdeen facing challenges are being assisted through an exciting partnership which has enabled local charity Sport Aberdeen to create a new post. The project engages with families throughout the city which are dealing with uncertainty and stress by supporting children and parents to take part in sport and physical activity.
Sport Aberdeen and Action for Children, a UK children’s charity committed to helping vulnerable children and young people, have recently joined forces to appoint a new Project Activator post within the city, made possible through a grant from the Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity Fund – a partnership between The Robertson Trust, The Scottish Government, sportscotland and Spirit of 2012.
Julie Erskine, who previously worked for the sportscotland institute of sport as an exercise physiologist, has now been appointed to the role by Sport Aberdeen and is embedded within the Action for Children’s Priority Families Team. This will build on an existing partnership between the two charities which saw Sport Aberdeen provide free memberships to families who are part of the project.
Having taken a career break to be a professional road cyclist, racing across the UK and Europe, Julie decided to change direction and was “delighted to be offered the Project Activator post”, adding, “I felt it would be a great balance between working with people, utilising my sports background and my love of being active to help make a difference to others in the local community.”
Programme interventions work both on a one to one basis and with the family as a whole. The project uses activities offered by Sport Aberdeen and partnerships within the local sports network, providing a wide range of opportunities that help meet key objectives including enabling vulnerable families in Aberdeen to:
- enjoy better physical and emotional wellbeing
- better engage in positive and constructive behaviours and choices
- have increased confidence and self-esteem.
The additional resource will allow the project to offer a much greater level of support to meet the needs of families and individuals within the city, who often have fewer opportunities to engage in sport and physical activity and are frequently affected by negative outcomes leading to health inequalities.
Julie Erskine commented on her involvement and the positive impact of the partnership, saying:
“The free Sport Aberdeen memberships enable them to access local gym and swimming facilities, as well as swimming lessons with the Aquatics programme. The support we receive from the Active Schools programme has been fantastic where several children and young people have benefitted from their after school and holiday activities.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see the positive impact that being more active has on families’ emotional and physical wellbeing and their relationships both with one another and other people.”
Keith Gerrard Director of Healthy and Active Communities, Sport Aberdeen commented:
“Successfully securing this additional funding, allowing us to appoint Julie to the post of Project Activator, will enable us to make a positive impact on a number of people involved in the Priority Family Project. It is Sport Aberdeen’s core belief that every child in Aberdeen should have access to sport and physical activity, which has a proven positive effect on both mental and physical wellbeing.
“With the addition of Spirit of 2012 as a new funder we are sure that this enhanced partnership will enable significant change and we look forward to continuing to work with others to create opportunities, inspire people and change lives through sport and physical activity.”
Ruth Hollis, Director of Policy and Impact at Spirit of 2012 said:
“We’re really pleased that Sport Aberdeen and Action for Children are able to create this new post, which will be so important in bringing about positive change for vulnerable families in Aberdeen. The Changing Lives fund is creating sport and physical activity opportunities across Scotland, which will have a lasting impact on the health – and the happiness – of all those involved.”
Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director for Scotland, said:
“We are very pleased to have Julie join our Aberdeen Priority Families team as a Project Activator. This role will play an important role in increasing the uptake of physical activities for the families we support at our project in the city. We are incredibly grateful to Sport Aberdeen for all of their support to date in this partnership as well as to funders for making this new post a reality.”