Spree, the Aberdeen business that gives back to local communities, stepped up as key sponsors in Aberdeen’s Sports Awards last month.
The local business was 2017’s ‘gift sponsor’ for the second year running, gifting a Spree Book to everyone who attended the award ceremony.
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards 2017 were hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership and took place at the end of October at the AECC.
Spree joined a host of local businesses who supported the Granite City awards ceremony, celebrating the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active.
Tony Dawson, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman, said:
“On behalf of the Active Aberdeen Partnership, I would like thank Spree for coming on board as our gift sponsor for the second year running and for their very generous donation.
“This local organisation puts the community at the heart of its work, raising money for local projects and schools and providing fantastic opportunities for people to try out different facilities within our city at a discounted price.
“Spree places a great emphasis on fundraising, helping local sports clubs and initiatives to thrive, contributing towards the fantastic sporting opportunities we have here in Aberdeen.”
David Wood, Managing Director of Spree Media Group
“We are delighted to be partnering with Aberdeen Sports Awards for the 2nd year, also supporting local schools and community groups for 18 years and raising over £2 million pounds for local causes.
“We take great pride in promoting local business in Aberdeen with saving offers that encourage our customers to these local businesses. Spree is the winning product where everybody is winner!”
Stronachs have sponsored the Junior Coach of the Year award category, which recognises young people who give up their own time to create more sporting opportunities to communities throughout Aberdeen.
Kieran Henderson, 2016 Junior Coach of the Year winner, reflected on scooping the award last year and said: “the more I volunteer the more I can inspire others to be the best they can be and encourage them to volunteer in the future.” (See full case study below)
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards celebrates the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active.
The ceremony, hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, will be held at the AECC on Thursday 26th October with 18 categories in the running.
Commenting on the awards, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman Tony Dawson said:
“These awards are a brilliant opportunity to recognise the clear culture of sporting excellence and outstanding performance that Aberdeen has fostered.
“The annual ceremony allows us to celebrate our city’s sporting communities and acknowledge those who go the extra mile by helping to provide opportunities for people to take up sport and physical activity.
“It is brilliant that Stronachs have come on board for the second year running and have chosen to support such an influential category. Harnessing and celebrating the enthusiasm and sporting talent of young people throughout the city is essential and recognising the far-reaching effects that volunteering has on so many others within Aberdeen is key.
Stronachs Director David Rennie said:
“Participation in sports teaches life enhancing skills that really can make a difference to people’s lives, so we at Stronachs are proud to be supporting this event and in particular the Sports Award for Junior Coach of the Year.”
Kieran Henderson, 2016 Junior Coach of the Year winner, talks about the importance of volunteering your time to coach sport within the community.
1) How important is it for young people to volunteer their time in order to coach others?
The more you volunteer to help young people the more experience and confidence you will gain. If you volunteer, you are doing it to gain experience and help other people rather than it just being a job. The more I volunteer the more I can inspire others to be the best they can be and encourage them to volunteer in the future.
2) What inspired you to coach young people and how did you get into coaching with Aberdeen FC Community Trust?
When I was younger I loved football, I thought to myself if I love football so much why not coach it? I was 15-years-old when I started volunteering with AFCCT after my teacher put me in contact with the Trust. I volunteered 500 hours across different programmes that AFCCT deliver.
3) How does the dementia friendly programme impact participants and what other initiatives are you involved in through Aberdeen FC Community Trust?
The Dementia programme helps people affected by dementia to stay active and included in the community. I have helped at Dementia Friendly walks, Technogym sessions, Boogie in the Bar, Footy Tea, I’m also a Youth Ambassador and I help out at various events when I have free time.
4) Through being a volunteer with Aberdeen FC Community Trust what qualifications have you gained that have helped towards your coaching?
I have done my 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Children’s Pathway and I am currently doing my Children’s Award. I also completed my dementia friends training and also attend 5 SFA/AFCCT in service nights each year. I plan to do more qualifications through my college, SFA and AFCCT in the future.
5) After winning the Junior Coach of the Year Award has this inspired you to pursue a coaching career? What are your future aspirations?
Since winning the award last year I have continued to develop as a coach and this is the career that I am pursuing. Winning the award has provided lots of opportunities and new experiences and this can only move my career forward. I am grateful for winning the award and I want to thank everyone who have helped me over the last few years, I can’t thank them enough.
Zoey Clark, Eddie McKenna and Janice Moir were among a host of talented and dedicated finalists who took the top spots at Aberdeen’s Sports Awards 2017, which took place last week (Thursday 26th October).
Zoey Clark triumphed in a double win, taking home both adult and student Sports Achiever of the Year, while Eddie McKenna scooped Coach of the Year and Janice Moir was the deserving winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award on the night.
The ceremony, now in its 24th year was hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership at the AECC, recognising the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active in Aberdeen.
The Scottish themed celebration welcomed hundreds of guests who paid tribute to the winners and finalists at the largest awards ceremony to date.
Neil Fachie MBE, who was appointed as Aberdeen’ Sports Awards first ambassador this year, was joined by Hannah and Patrick Miley as key speakers throughout the glittering awards ceremony, with anecdotal accounts and inspirational insights.
Tony Dawson, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman, said:
“On behalf of the Active Aberdeen Partnership, I would like to extend huge congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and the local community that continues to put Aberdeen on the sporting map.
“This year Aberdeen’s Sports Awards not only celebrated the silent cheerleaders of sport in the Granite City, but recognised Scotland as a Nation of sporting excellence.
“The evening brought together a host of the North-East’s finest, from individuals to clubs, schools and volunteers, all of whom contribute to the sporting community and continue to foster and inspire our city’s wealth of talent.
“This year we were honoured to appoint Neil Fachie MBE as Aberdeen’s Sports Awards first ambassador, paying homage to him as not only an accomplished athlete but celebrating him as a role model for future generations.
“As always, the night was a spectacular demonstration of what can be achieved within our city through the passion and dedication of those who are the driving force behind Aberdeen’s sporting community”.
Click here to see pictures from the night.
Sports Achiever of the Year – Adult
Zoey Clark
Sports Achiever of the Year – Junior
Tom Beeley
Sports Achiever of the Year – Student
Zoey Clark
Sports Achiever of the Year – Veteran
Fiona Davidson
Sports Achiever of the Year – Disability
Conner Morrison
Sports Achiever of the Year – Disability Junior
Toni Shaw
Volunteer of the Year – Adult
Kenny Clubb
Volunteer of the Year – Junior
Jenna McDonald
Coach of the Year – Adult
Eddie McKenna
Coach of the Year – Junior
Calum Shepherd
Lifetime Achievement
Janice Moir
Inspiration Award
Gordon McIvor
Club of the Year
Aberdeen Boxing Club
Team Performance of the Year
NESTLA
Community Sports Project of the Year
Streetsport
Primary School of the Year
Westpark School
Secondary School of the Year
Aberdeen Grammar School
Community Partner of the Year – Business
Nexen
A programme designed to help people rid themselves of back pain will be delivered by a master instructor for the first time in Europe this weekend, in an Aberdeen Sports Centre.
The Foundation Training Masterclass, which will take place on Sunday 29th October at Sport Aberdeen’s Beacon Sports Centre, will be delivered by renowned Californian instructor Gail DeSart.
DeSart, who is one of only six master instructors worldwide, will be sharing her knowledge of this revolutionary programme of exercises designed to pull us out of destructive postures and movement patterns that we have adapted into due to our heavily seated, modern lifestyles.
Beacon Centre, in Bucksburn, will host the first European masterclass after the successful exposure of Foundation Training across the North-East by the work of Mora McGovern, from Westhill.
Mora McGovern, Certified Foundation Training Instructor, said:
“I’m very excited to host Gail here in my home town. She was one of my instructors during my training in New York and inspired me greatly to spread the word here in the North-East and help as many people as I can eliminate back pain without heavy handed medical intervention.
“Everyone, these days, suffers from some kind of back, shoulder, neck, hip or knee pain and Foundation Training offers a natural, systematic solution that not only eliminates pain but allows you to take control of your long-term health and wellness.”
Foundation Training, created by American chiropractor Dr. Eric Goodman, is a revolutionary answer to back pain prevention and cure.
The programme works around a series of body-weight exercises that improve posture and teach correct movement patterns to keep the body strong and pain free.
Gail DeSart, Master Foundation Training Instructor, also commented:
“I’m very excited to be coming to Scotland, and Aberdeen specifically. Mora has done a lot of great work here already and I’m delighted to be able to support her and share Foundation Training with this community. We are also very pleased to have two new instructors, currently in training, who will be teaching here and working closely alongside Mora in the next few months.”
Foundation Training classes and one-to-one sessions take place across the North East. For more information please contact Mora McGovern on info@moramcgovern.co.uk
Aberdeen Sports Village has stepped forward as category sponsors ahead of Aberdeen’s Sports Awards 2017.
The Granite City sport and exercise facility has sponsored the Community Partner of the Year category which is awarded to a local business which has provided support, resources or equipment to a local sports project, club or individual.
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards celebrates the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active.
The ceremony, hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, will be held at the AECC on Thursday 26th October with 18 categories in the running.
Commenting on the awards, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman Tony Dawson said:
“It is brilliant that Aberdeen Sports Village has chosen to sponsor the Community Partner of the Year Award.
“This award puts the spotlight on Aberdeen businesses who have gone the extra mile by supporting local sports clubs, helping them to continue to thrive throughout our city and giving people the opportunity to take part in sport and get active in a community setting.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognise the clear culture of sporting excellence and outstanding performance that Aberdeen has fostered.”
Duncan Sinclair, Chief Executive at Aberdeen Sports Village said:
“We are thrilled to be part of Aberdeen’s Sports Awards which recognise so many outstanding sporting achievements right here from our home town.
“Aberdeen Sports Village is passionate about providing opportunities for everyone in the community to take part in sport and encouraging active lifestyles, and so sponsoring the Community Partner of the Year Award means a great deal to us.
“This award gives local businesses the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the local community and gives them the recognition they so rightly deserve for championing sporting opportunities across the city.”
The award-winning physical activity programme, aimed at supporting people living with and beyond cancer, has been shortlisted in The Health and Social Care Integration category.
The Health and Social Care Integration Award category recognises the best examples of innovation and effectiveness in meeting the Government’s health and social care integration agenda.
The annual award ceremony will take place at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel on November 1st.
Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:
“As a registered charity, Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
“I am extremely proud of the Move More team. Their commitment and innovative approach to achieving positive outcomes continues to help people living with and beyond cancer stay active within the community.
“Move More Aberdeen will be up against a host of deserving finalists from the public and voluntary sectors shortlisted for The Herald Awards 2017 and I wish everyone the best of luck.”
Joanne Adamson, Macmillan Cancer Support Partnership Manager (North Scotland), said:
“We are delighted that Move More Aberdeen has been shortlisted for the Herald Society Awards. We are very proud to be a part of an innovative, person centred physical activity programme that offers people affected by cancer activities that caters to their specific needs.
“The Move More team provide an outstanding service, we wish them every success at the awards ceremony.”
The UK-wide fitness provider today said: “At David Lloyd we are extremely passionate about supporting health and fitness in everyone, but especially in children.”
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards celebrates the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active.
The ceremony, hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, will be held at the AECC on Thursday 26th October with 18 categories in the running.
Commenting on the awards, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman Tony Dawson said:
“Having David Lloyd back for the second year running as sponsors for the Primary School of the Year Award is brilliant. This category allows us to celebrate our city’s sporting communities and acknowledge those who help to inspire and encourage the next generation to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Rebecca Muirhead, David Lloyd Sales and Marketing Manager, also said:
“The health of children in Scotland is amongst the worst in Europe, with 28% of 2-15 year olds being overweight or obese. We run activities and classes for children including tennis and swimming classes, football, multi-sports classes, ballet, gymnastics, dance classes, family classes, as well as Fitness into Teens sessions for 11-15 year olds. We want to show children as young as 3 that being active is important, and fun!
“That’s why we sponsor this award. We celebrate and congratulate this Primary School for embracing sport, health and fitness as being an essential part of every child’s education.”
Relaxed Ice Skating sessions, which take place every Monday from 10.30-11.30am at the Linx Ice Arena, were delivered free of charge on Monday 2nd October.
The free session tied in with ‘Autism Hour’, part of the ‘Too Much Information’ campaign being run by leading autism charity, the National Autistic Society.
The autism friendly sessions, run in partnership with Me TOO!, are open to skaters of all ages and abilities and run throughout the year. The sessions focus on encouraging people with additional support needs to try the sport, offering a safe and welcoming environment with no music and muted lighting.
Sport Aberdeen is proud to offer a range of autism friendly classes throughout the week including relaxed family swimming sessions at both Tullos Swimming Pool and the Beach Leisure Centre.
Sport Aberdeen’s Linx Ice Arena and Beach Leisure Centre have recently been certified as Autism Friendly, making the Granite City’s ice rink the first to receive this award in the UK.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell said:
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity and recognises the importance of raising awareness of day-to-day barriers faced by people, young and old, living with lifelong conditions and illnesses.
“We pride ourselves on creating opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy getting active and are constantly looking for ways to improve both our programmes on offer and the environments we create in our facilities. With certified autism friendly centres and trained staff, we are well on our way to providing safe and welcoming environments where people can engage in sport throughout Aberdeen.”
Since 2010 Active Schools Aberdeen, run by registered charity Sport Aberdeen has recorded more than one million participant sessions in extra-curricular school sport.
Matthew Dalgarno, a pupil at Northfield Academy, clinched the title of completing the one millionth session – an accolade the sporty teenager said he was proud to achieve. The 13-year-old takes part in almost every sport on offer in the extra-curricular programme and has recently started volunteering for Active Schools Aberdeen in his spare time.
Participation levels have increased by an impressive 24 per cent compared to last year with 239,1224 visits recorded in Aberdeen during the academic year 2016/17. This figure compares to 85,421 visits reported back in 2010/11, showing a growth of 180% since that time.
Furthermore, in the last year the number of people delivering these sessions also increased to 663, which is an increase of 7% per cent, with 92% of these being volunteers. Aberdeen has also seen a 35% increase in the number of links between local clubs and schools and 98 local sports clubs involved.
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen which delivers the Active Schools programme in partnership with sportscotland across Aberdeen, has been delivering opportunities for school pupils to get involved in sport and physical activity for more than a decade.
Colin Taylor, Sport Aberdeen chairman, said:
“These highly impressive numbers are extremely encouraging and it is reassuring to know that young people within Aberdeen are exposed to the best possible opportunities to participate in sport, starting from a young age.
“These results have been achieved through a true team effort and I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved for their commitment to delivering all these opportunities. This includes the fantastic PE teachers, teachers and school staff, who do so much above and beyond what they are asked, parents, students, senior pupils, sports clubs and the Active Schools Team. This is a clear and promising reminder of the positive outcomes that can be achieved through partnership working.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities and inspiring people to take part in sport and physical activity and reaching this milestone is a perfect example of our abilities to do this while working with partners.”
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, added:
“It is great to see that our partnerships with local authorities and leisure trusts, schools, clubs, Active Schools Managers and Coordinators, is having such a profoundly positive impact in the growth of Active Schools.
“Investment from the Scottish Government and National Lottery continues to allow us to develop a world-class sporting system for all with better and more opportunities for people to participate and progress in sport and physical activity while fashioning ever closer links between schools and clubs.
“This collaboration is helping to ensure that young people in Scotland have the best sporting opportunities and experiences available and can continue to develop and progress throughout adulthood.”
Winners were announced on World Alzheimer’s Day, 21 September, at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel where all finalists attended the annual award ceremony.
The project was initially thought up by local resident Anne Duncan after a chat with a member of staff from Sport Aberdeen where she said what she really misses is a “proper bop with her husband Bill”, who is living with dementia.
People of all ages are welcome to the monthly event where the bar is open for refreshments with soup provided by the Foundry, and sandwiches provided by M&S Bank.
Under the umbrella of the Active Aberdeen Partnership, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership and Aberdeen FC Community Trust have all come together to facilitate this initiative, which is thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland.
The Awards recognise the country’s most innovative and ambitious projects, by showcasing creative approaches from policy to practice, and highlighting the dedication of people supporting those living with dementia and their families and carers.
Anne Duncan, founder of the Boogie at the Bar initiative, said: “We are thrilled to have won the Best Community Support Initiative at Scotland’s Dementia Awards amongst so many other brilliant projects aimed at supporting people living with dementia in Scotland.”
“Boogie at the Bar gives everyone a chance to have a dance and let their hair down or simply just socialise. We have had an extremely positive response so far and it is becoming clear that this is already becoming a staple fixture in people’s calendars. The beauty of the project is the fact that it brings people together, old, young and those living with dementia, with the main aim to have some fun.”
“This project wouldn’t be possible without the Active Aberdeen Partnership and all partners involved and I would like to thank the Foundry for hosting us and providing the music, without which we would not be able to boogie.”