Directors from Macmillan Cancer Support UK yesterday (Wednesday 29^th November) travelled to the Granite City to meet with the trailblazing team behind the pioneering Move More Aberdeen (MMA) programme.

Key figures from the national cancer charity, led by John Pearson, Executive Director of Cancer Support Operations, heard from the MMA team, showcasing the successful work and positive impact of the project through integration with NHS Grampian, and other third sector cancer charities, in a presentation on the day.

The award-winning programme, aimed at supporting people living with and beyond cancer, is the first cancer-specific physical activity programme in the city and offers a person-centred package of activities including walks, gentle movement classes, circuit training and gardening.

The meeting included discussions about how to guarantee the sustainability of MMA, helping to ensure it can benefit citizens of Aberdeen for years to come. As well as how learning from the programme can be applied to help others with long-term health conditions become more physically active, improving overall wellbeing.

The visit was also an opportunity to recognise the success of the local programme and a recent win at the Macmillan Professional Excellence Awards, where MMA took the top spot in the Integration Excellence category at the annual conference in London. The programme has had a fruitful year, picking up two top industry awards and being named as finalist four times in 2017.

Working with local partners CLAN Cancer Support, Paths for All, Maggie’s Aberdeen and Friends of ANCHOR, as well as training up a skilled volunteer workforce to further integrate the programme into the community, MMA is embracing cross-sector collaboration and has successfully integrated physical activity into cancer care.

Speaking after the visit, Alistair Robertson Sport Aberdeen’s Managing Director, said:

“This was a great opportunity to highlight the success and innovation of the programme which is delivered by Sport Aberdeen and funded by Macmillan Cancer Support.

“I am proud to see the Move More Aberdeen project at the forefront of pioneering cancer care, and through positive integration with NHS Grampian, and local third sector cancer support charities, we can continue to impact the lives of people living with and beyond the diagnosis.

“Through forging new ways of working with NHS Grampian and broadening partnerships, the team has successfully integrated physical activity into cancer care and by utilising the learning from the project to date, Sport Aberdeen hopes to continue to positively impact people living with other long-term conditions”

John Pearson, Macmillan Cancer Support UK Executive Director of Cancer Support Operations, said:

“I am delighted that Move More Aberdeen is proving to be so hugely successful. The programme benefits and supports people living with cancer from the very point of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond.

“Physical activity is proven to have a positive impact on participants and we are proud to embrace cross-sector collaboration with Sport Aberdeen, NHS Grampian and other local charities to deliver a high quality physical activity programme accessible to all people living with cancer in Aberdeen.”

An Aberdeen initiative, aiming to level the playing field for young girls in sport, this week welcomed Aberdeen City Council co-leader Jenny Laing to witness their pioneering work first-hand.

Councillor Jenny Laing attended the Active Girls Committee (AGC) meeting where it was revealed that 73% of a previously inactive group has expressed a positive change in attitude towards sport since engaging with the group.

The AGC, put together by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team, 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.

Local secondary pupils interested in joining the AGC were recently invited to attend a Sports Leaders UK, Women Get Set, Go! course, equipping them with leadership skills to help break down barriers and increase girls participation in sport.

Councillor Jenny Laing attended the meeting where she presented certificates to the girls who completed the course and was able to find out more about the expanding group taking it upon themselves to change young girl’s attitudes towards sport and physical activity in Aberdeen.

As a result of research undertaken earlier this year, where it was found that nearly six out of ten Aberdeen secondary school girls don’t take part in sport because they feel self-conscious, the AGC ran an ‘Active Girls Big Day Out’ in June.

The event welcomed around 400 girls from 15 different Aberdeen City Schools, offering a fresh approach to participation in sport.

The committee received feedback from 8 out of the 10 schools that attended the event. The results highlighted the following:

• 33% of the girls who attended the event were currently inactive as they admitted they did not take part in any form of physical activity or sport.

(All the below figures are based on this inactive group of girls)

• 73% said that because of the ‘Girls Big Day Out’ their opinion on sport and physical activity had now changed.
• 76% were made to feel confident throughout the event at each of the sessions.
• 90% of these girls would like to see the activities which were covered at the event brought to their school’s extracurricular timetable.
• 79% would now feel encouraged to try a new club /activity at their school.

Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:

“Since the get go these girls have shown incredible commitment and passion towards increasing participation in sport and showcasing the positive, lifelong effects this can have. The very personal stories and impact of the girls’ individual journeys have been truly inspiring to others.

“These results, and the encouraging feedback, show that the levels of participation are on the increase, however this issue is still very much an uphill battle and for too long, participation levels plummet as girls make the transition from primary to secondary school.

“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for young people to take part in sport and physical activity, and this is another important step in the right direction. The Active Girls Committee are proving that they have the power to influence and support their peers and it is hugely important that we continue, as a whole, to break down barriers to girl’s participation in sport.”

Councillor Jenny Laing said:

“The Active Girls Committee has already demonstrated strong results and I look forward to watching the initiative grow and thrive.

“It was fantastic to meet the participants and the young people leading the project – it is inspiring to see so many girls engaging with sport in such a positive way.

“On behalf of Aberdeen City Council, I congratulate everyone who has played a part in the success of the Active Girls Committee.”

Active Girls Committee Chairperson, Aimee Work, said:

“Women Get Set Go course was a chance to improve and increase our confidence through leadership, communication and inclusion within the activities we were faced with.

“It has allowed us to connect as a committee, so that we can confidently produce ideas and take action within our schools. As a result of this we have bonded and are already making a huge difference in these schools, and hopefully will slowly, but surely, increase girl’s participation in sport.”

On 18th November, our Get active @ Jesmond team will be hosting three Workout for Water Les Mills classes to raise vital funds for UNICEF!

All proceeds from your Workout for Water will go to support UNICEF and help to build life-saving clean water pumps in East Africa.

There will be a new track and new moves for each routine. The workouts will represent the average journey to collect clean, safe drinking water in East Africa – helping to connect you with the people whose lives you will be transforming.

Clean water. It’s fundamental for our survival. It fuels our bodies and our workouts. But, around the world, 2.1 billion people don’t have access to it…

That’s why UNICEF are installing clean water pumps in vulnerable communities. The pumps cost USD $414 to install and can protect an entire community from deadly disease, help parents grow crops and allow children to go to school.

And that’s where you come in. Together, we can raise enough funds to help UNICEF bring clean, safe water to thousands of people and change lives on a huge scale.

Our Get active @ Jesmond classes include:
Sh’bam: 0820 – 0905
BodyPump: 0920 – 1020
BodyCombat: 1030 – 1115

To take part in our Workout for Water classes members can sign up to each class by calling the Get active @ Jesmond team on 01224 507755, to reserve your space(s).

Any donations are welcomed on the day and all funds raised will be donated to UNICEF.

Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team and Bridge of Don Academy PE department today hosted an Active Boys Day, bringing together pupils from local schools for an action-packed morning.

Pupils from P7-S2 took part in a number of activities at tutor lead work stations. The activities included rowing, dodgeball, fitness, Soyang Do and wrestling. The pupils also all spent time learning the Yellow Belt Soyang Do form, culminating in a group display at the end of the morning.

Volunteers from Scottish Schools Rowing Association, Granite City Guerrillas Dodgeball Team, Aberdeen Wrestling Club, Aberdeen Soyang Do Club and the Sport Aberdeen Health and Wellness Team were on hand to ensure the Active Boys Day was a huge success.

Senior Pupils from Bridge of Don Academy School Sports Council, who are championing a move to get more young people to participate in sport, were also volunteering at the event.

Bridge of Don Academy School Sports Council (left to right) David Jesowski, Lewis Duncan, Arran Clubb, Stuart Keith, Stacey Jackson and Caitlin Mair.

A local charity, providing the very best treatment, care and support for North-east patients affected by a cancer diagnosis, is set to receive an impressive sum of money raised by attendees at a local awards ceremony.

Friends of ANCHOR was chosen as 2017’s charity to receive money raised by guests and finalists who attended Aberdeen’s Sports Awards in October, hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership.

A total of £2523.07 was raised for Friends of ANCHOR at the annual awards ceremony which welcomed over 400 guests and a host of the North East’s finest sporting finalists, hoping to take top spot in one of the 18 categories up for grabs.

Neil Fachie and Hannah and Patrick Miley were guest speakers at the event which took place at the AECC, with Fachie appearing as Aberdeen’s Sports Awards first ever ambassador.

2017 is a particularly special year for Friends of ANCHOR as it marks 20 years since the charity began; a charity with a vision to help make cancer and haematology care in the North-east of Scotland the best it can be.

Every penny donated to Friends of ANCHOR goes directly to the cause as all of the charity’s running and administration costs are covered by Balmoral Group.

Tony Dawson, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman, said:

“I am thrilled to present this impressive sum of money to such a deserving charity at the heart of our city that works hard to ensure that those affected by cancer have access to the best possible treatment

“Each year Aberdeen’s Sports Awards appoint a local charity to be beneficiaries of money raised at the annual event. The awards not only serve to recognise and celebrate our sporting superstars but also to highlight the fantastic community driven work that goes on day after day in Aberdeen.”

Senior Finance & Fundraising Executive, Rhona Miller comments;

“We are truly grateful to the Active Aberdeen Partnership and to everyone who contributed to this fantastic fundraising total for Friends of ANCHOR.

“Every penny raised will go directly to patients in the ANCHOR Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as all of the our running and administration costs are generously covered by our founding supporter, Balmoral Group.”

Organisers of the North East’s longest standing road race are calling on charities to step forward and register for a chance to be part of the 2018 BHGE 10k Running Festival.

BHGE and registered charity Sport Aberdeen have two affiliated charity spaces to fill ahead of the 2018 event and today said they are urging all charities interested in taking part, having fun and raising money to sign up to the 2018 charity waiting list.

Employees from BHGE will have then opportunity to vote for their favourite charity from the waiting list. The two with the highest number of votes will be invited to fill the remaining affiliated charity spaces for the 2018 event.

The cut-off date to register for the 2018 BHGE 10k charity waiting list is Friday 24^th November.

The Granite City road race, organised by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, celebrated its 30^th anniversary in May and raises tens of thousands of pounds each year in support of great causes through BHGE 10k supporters and participants.

Affiliated charities are offered additional support and exposure to assist with fundraising.

Commenting, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Business Development Jill Franks said:

“We are urging charities to step forward for a chance to become part of this long-standing event. The BHGE 10K Running Festival is a shining example of how partnership working allows us to bring fantastic events to the North East while raising money for brilliant and very deserving causes.

“Over the years we have seen tremendous support from our affiliated charities, highlighting what we can achieve through this local event at the heart of our community.”

“We look forward to welcoming two new charities on board for 2018 and hope that both new and old faces will sign up for the 31^st year of the race.”

Charities looking to be added to the mailing list should email CityofAberdeen10K@sportaberdeen.co.uk by Friday 24^th

Registered charity Sport Aberdeen hosted a successful basketball festival as part of the extensive Additional Support Needs (ASN) school sports calendar.

Over 50 children, from both mainstream and additional support needs schools, took part in the Inclusive Zone Basketball Festival which took place last week at the Beach Leisure Centre.

The event is run in partnership with Grampian Flyers Basketball team and Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team.

Five schools from across Aberdeen City and Shire attended the event, each entering teams of up to 10 players. Throughout the year there are 13 events organised specifically for children with additional support needs in and around the city.

Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:

“The Inclusive Zone Basketball Festival is a fantastic event bringing together over 50 children from both additional support needs and mainstream schools in Aberdeen City and Shire.

“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.  The ASN school sports calendar is a great example of how our partnership-working approach has a positive impact on our communities and creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part in sport.”

Click here for more information on disability sports run by Sport Aberdeen.

Earlier this year Move More Aberdeen, a partnership project funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered in partnership with Sport Aberdeen, was announced as a finalist in the Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards.

The award-winning physical activity programme, aimed at supporting people living with and beyond cancer, is up for an award in the Integration Excellence category.

This category highlights exciting new initiatives, products and services, celebrating those who have improved the quality and experience of care for people affected by cancer.

The annual awards recognise the work of Macmillan professionals who are transforming the lives of people affected by cancer, and celebrate the outstanding contributions that are being made to cancer services.

Move More Aberdeen will be up against a host of deserving finalists hoping to scoop the Integration Excellence Award category top spot at an awards ceremony on Thursday 16^th November at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow Hotel.

Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:

“I am extremely proud of the Move More Aberdeen team who are continually working to improve the lives of people living with and beyond cancer. Their commitment, dedication and innovative approach to achieving positive outcomes through physical activity is inspiring.

“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity and through partnership projects we are helping people of all abilities stay active within the community.

“Move More Aberdeen is up against a host of deserving finalists shortlisted for the Macmillan Professions Excellence Award 2017 and I wish everyone the best of luck.”

A Granite City leisure trust has become the first in Scotland to be awarded a top swimming accolade.

Aquatics Aberdeen has become the first Learn to Swim framework provider in Scotland to be awarded the highest accreditation award given out by the national governing body for swimming, Scottish Swimming.

Aquatics Aberdeen, run by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, was recently awarded SwiMark Plus, a nationally recognised accreditation programme for clubs and swim schools who consistently provide the highest quality experience and encourage local participation.

SwiMark is Scottish Swimming’s highest accreditation awarded and successful achievement confirms that the Aquatics Aberdeen programme is leading the way in:

• Developing safe, effective and child friendly environments, based on good practice
• Improving the participation experience through excellent staff training programmes
• Encouraging and supporting lifelong participation through sustainable swimming development pathways and partnership working with the local swimming clubs

Jill Franks, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Business Development, said:

“I am extremely proud of the whole Aquatics Aberdeen team for their hard work and dedication in providing second-to-none swimming opportunities in Aberdeen and am thrilled that we are the first leisure trust in Scotland to be awarded this top accreditation.

“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities and inspiring more people to take part in physical activity and through these accreditations we can ensure that we are delivering the best possible coaching to people in the local community.”

Dianne Breen, Aquatics Aberdeen Manager, also commented:

“I’m thrilled that we have received this accolade which, alongside the Scottish Swimming Learn to Swim Provider of the Year Award 2017, recognises the excellent standards consistently delivered by our Aquatics teachers and the positive investments we have made in education programmes.”

Fiona Paterson, Participation Programme Manager at Scottish Swimming, said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone at Aquatics Aberdeen on becoming the first Leisure Trust to achieve SwiMark Plus. This highlights the quality swimming environment that Aquatics Aberdeen provide, which will lead to opportunities for lifelong participation and enjoyment of swimming to all those who take part.”