Phil and Shona Hunter bid successfully on behalf of the late Alexander Wadsworth for Bubbles the Dolphin at the Wild Dolphins charity auction held in 2014.
Bubbles was painted by artist Fiona Chance, who painted bubbles on the dolphin which include famous faces, places, landmarks all associated with Aberdeen City and Shire.
The couple and Phil’s mother Anne have donated Bubbles to the popular Sport Aberdeen venue in memory of Anne Hunter’s late uncle Alexander Wadsworth. Mr Wadsworth worked at Bon Accord Baths for a number of years as a pool attendant.
Phil Hunter was joined by his daughter Olivia Hunter, Sport Aberdeen chairman Fred Dalgarno and pupils from local Hanover Street Primary School to officially unveil Bubbles and welcome him to its new home.
Fiona Chance kindly refreshed the artwork as part of the move. Bubbles will include an additional plaque, the text of both are set out below.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Chairman Fred Dalgarno said:
“I know that the many children visiting the Beach Leisure Centre from across Aberdeen City and Shire will be simply delighted with its new resident. We are very grateful to Phil, Shona and Anne Hunter for their kind donation, in memory of their late uncle Alexander Wadsworth.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to inspiring more young people to take up swimming, and I’m sure meeting Bubbles will be a memory young people cherish in years to come.
“We would like to also thank artist Fiona Chance for her careful work in refreshing the dolphin.”
The research, undertaken by the pioneering Active Girls committee, found that the most common barriers to participation were:
- Not wanting to do it on your own (68%)
- Feeling self-conscious (58%)
- Confidence (58%)
The findings come from 412 responses to the Active Girls Committee Survey held in April, which aimed to find out the barriers facing girls’ participation in sport. It explored the barriers facing pupils who don’t participate and those who currently do, finding the results relatively similar.
The Active Girls Committee consists of 15 pupils from nine secondary schools in Aberdeen. The results were published as part of an engagement evening held at Aberdeen’s The Marcliffe Hotel on Wednesday 23rd May.
The engagement evening including talks from the pupils and a panel which included sports industry experts and a PE teacher.
It is part of efforts by the committee to raise awareness and seek backing for their plans to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout Aberdeen City.
Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell, said:
“These results show the mountain we must climb to increase the participation of girls in sport and physical activity. For too long, participation levels plummet as girls make the transition from primary to secondary school.
“This confirms some of the barriers and gives us a solid ground to work from. The Active Girls Committee, led by girls for girls, are an incredible group of determined and confident young women.
“The engagement evening brought together decision makers from across the city and I think we all left feeling inspired to do more, no matter how big or small. The extent of this challenge means that we all, including the girls themselves, have an important role to play.
“The Active Girls Committee has the influence and the motivation to positively change circumstances for their peers. 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.”
Organisers today announced they will launch a series of free walks this summer, based around a ring of 67 granite stones making up the city boundaries measuring 26 miles in total, after receiving funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
This year Scotland celebrates the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, highlighting local history and celebrating our rich heritage. Sport Aberdeen has been awarded a £10,000 grant through the Heritage Lottery Fund to support local events encouraging people to explore the Granite City.
Organisers are hoping it will capture popular imagination, similar to the Pokémon craze, and are spurring on those who take up the challenge to photograph each stone and share their triumph.
In a bid to celebrate the history of the city Sport Aberdeen is encouraging a little healthy competition and asking people to capture and share their walk-through history using the hashtag #marchstones and the number of the stone followed by ABD (ie #3ABD).
Known as the “March Stones”, the walk will follow the stones which mark the original city boundaries, gifted by the King of Scots. The name derives from the 16th century meaning of march as a boundary.
Two of the stones are about 30 metres apart providing the inspiration for the name of the bar which sat between them, ‘The Short Mile’, on Great Western Road.
The free organised walks will be a series of short, 2 – 3 mile walks stopping near local facilities and public transport where possible and will enable people of all abilities to participate in the walks.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles Jo Bell said:
“We are thrilled to revive this unusual and little-known walking route. It is my hope that this will encourage families and walkers of all ages to get out and discover these hidden gems.
“The launch of the organised free walks is as much about getting active as it is about socialising and having fun whilst doing so. The exciting route will offer local residents a chance to explore a secret of the city, covering 26 miles if all stones are “captured” in one day.
“Securing support from the Heritage Lottery Fund means we can now show off the Granite City’s rich history whilst encouraging people to get out and get active. This is an important part of our commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Walk Leader Brian Harrison said:
“The walking groups are always very sociable. With the added help of the Heritage Lottery funding we can now expand and explore Aberdeen’s rich heritage.
“It is my hope that this will spur on even more people to take up walking during the summer months and discover some local history at the same time.
“Walk Aberdeen free walks are a brilliant example of how we aim to break down barriers for people within the community such as cost, and allow them to participate in physical activity.
Dr Chris Croly, Public Engagement with Research Officer at the University of Aberdeen said:
“The March Stones are a really integral part of Aberdeen’s history. From royal hunting forests to Seaton Pottery, a walk around the stones will help people discover all about the people and places that have made Aberdeen what it is today.
“A walking app, being developed by colleagues at the University, will help people of all ages and abilities to put their best foot forward and engage with the project, discovering these hidden gems whilst getting active.”
Calling all aspiring mini Andy Murray’s or mini Venus Williams!! Get your little ones involved in tennis this Summer at the Westburn Tennis Centre. The perfect opportunity to introduce the kids into Tennis, potentially kick starting a lifelong love of the sport.
The sessions are open to 3 – 5 year old, and offer a fun learning environment to improve agility, balance, co-ordination and racquet skills. Each session cost £4.50 per child. The session run each Tuesday from 16/05/2017 – 20/06/2017, offering 3 classes each week:
- 30 am – 10.15 am
- 20 am – 11.05 am
- 10 am -11.55 am
If you are interested in further information on the sessions or to book please call: 01224 507748
The Bowls Scotland ranked event run by registered charity Sport Aberdeen will take place at Westburn Outdoor Centre, from Sunday 16th to Saturday 22nd July.
The City of Aberdeen Bowling Tournament is open to men, women, seniors and juniors, with a number of different categories to enter including mixed and junior pairs.
Organisers today said they were bowled over by last year’s positive response with over 250 people travelling to Aberdeen to take part in the long-standing annual tournament.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Director of Business Development Jill Franks said:
“It is brilliant to be part of such a long-established and treasured event within the city. Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for people to take part in sport and we are proud to run the tournament which is now in its 63rd year.
“It is great to see local community events attracting people from all over the city. We look forward to another successful tournament and wish all the competitors the very best of luck.”
‘Fit 2 Care’ is a collaborative partnership offering 15 events across the city ranging from Mindfulness and Personal Coaching to Health Walks, Technogym and Aqua Fun sessions.
Carers Week is recognised throughout the UK and campaigns to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges faced by carers while recognising the contribution they make to families and communities.
VSA Adult Carers Service have teamed up with Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership, NHS Grampian, MeToo!, Care & Repair, Aberdeen Altens Hotel and the Active Aberdeen Partnership in order to deliver the free programme.
Partners today said that they hope that the events will give all carers the opportunity to consider their own wellbeing and allow them to take some time out for themselves.
Aberdeen Altens Hotel will be hosting an afternoon tea and spa experience to provide a relaxing round up to the week.
Tony Dawson, Active Aberdeen Partnership chairman commented:
“This is a fantastic initiative which could only happen with working and collaborative partnerships. Sport and physical activity can have a positive and lasting impact on the health and social wellbeing of our communities and it is important for everyone to be supported to take time for themselves.”
“All the partners involved in Fit 2 Care have come together to recognise the brilliant and invaluable work that carers carry out every day.”
Hilary Benson, Carers Resource Service Manager VSA said:
“The Carer’s Service at VSA are pleased to be working with partners to offer a varied range of activities during Carers Week 2017 which gives Carers the opportunity to consider their own wellbeing and to allow them to take some time out for themselves.
“This is the first time we’ve had a programme of events like this running during Carers Week and hope this will lead to further events in the future.
“We would like to thank local organisations and businesses for supporting Carers Week and also Carers Trust who have provided grant funding towards the costs of Fit 2 Care 2017.”
Dariusz Dzieniak, 42 years old was awarded Employee of the Year at an event hosted by Sport Aberdeen Chairman Fred Dalgarno.
The annual awards are held in recognition of employees who have demonstrated their commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
Mr Dzieniak is a lifeguard based at the Beach Leisure Centre. His roles include ensuring the safety of Sport Aberdeen swimmers, however he also goes out of his way to assist in the everyday running of the venue. He has worked for Sport Aberdeen for seven years.
Dariusz was a huge asset to Sport Aberdeen during the recent modernisation of the health suite facilities at the Beach Leisure Centre, volunteering his time after work hours to help.
Dariusz Dzieniak was selected as Sport Aberdeen’s employee of the year after being nominated for “his efforts in going the extra mile both with customers and colleagues alike”.
Sport Aberdeen’s Nickie Scorgie, Head of Human Resources, said:
“Dariusz is an asset to Sport Aberdeen and has shown how the small things really do add up. It is very rewarding to see how those who work for Sport Aberdeen have such an impact on the charity as a whole.
“Employees of the charity are the lifeblood of the whole organisation and without them we would not be able to create so many opportunities in sport and physical activity across the city.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to becoming the employer of choice for those seeking a career in the leisure industry.”
Dariusz Dzieniak also commented:
“I was very proud to be named Sport Aberdeen’s employee of the year. Being surrounded by positive people in an exciting environment, mixing with people from across the city makes every work day different.
“The last seven years with Sport Aberdeen have been a pleasure, and I look forward to many more to come.”
Broc Drury (Aberdeen AAC) took the male trophy in the 30th year of the Baker Hughes 10K, in a time of 31:38. Fiona Brian ran an impressive 36:15 making her the fastest female. Anthony Stott was the fastest in the wheelchair race in a time of 35:15 and the Chevron team took the corporate team title. Hundreds more also took part in the fun run, Active Schools 2K race and 2K wheelchair race.
All results are now up and can be viewed online at: http://results.sporthive.com/for/frsystems
Thousands of spectators lined the streets and cheered on the runners.
Commenting on the festival, Sport Aberdeen’s Business Development Director Jill Franks:
“We are over the moon with the positive response to this year’s race, now in its 30th year. In what is a challenging time for Aberdeen it is heart-warming to see the whole city come together yet again and celebrate such a fantastic and long-standing event.
“I would like to thank Baker Hughes as the main sponsors and look forward to continuing to work with them to bring to this community driven event to Aberdeen.
“Well done to every single person who took part on the day and to everyone who volunteered their time to help make this year’s race another resounding success, we can’t wait to see you all again next year!”.
Over the last five years, Courage on the Catwalk has been a major event for the charity, seeing hundreds of women take to the stage to raise money and awareness, and for the first time it’s time for the men to shine.
Bill Hendry, 66, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January 2011 and after six months of intensive treatment he returned to work for Sport Aberdeen in September 2011.
He has worked at Sport Aberdeen’s Beach Leisure Centre for over 15 years, saying being surrounded by positive people in an exciting environment, mixing with people from all across the city helps to keep him energised’.
Every penny raised from BRAVE and Courage on the Catwalk, held at The Beach Ballroom, will go directly into helping make North-east cancer and haematology care the best it can be for those receiving treatment at the ANCHOR Unit, ARI.
Speaking ahead of the event Bill said:
“It is a real pleasure to be taking part in this event with the 23 other inspirational men – and of course all the women taking part in Courage on the Catwalk. We are doing this to raise awareness and money, and every penny raised through BRAVE and Courage on the Catwalk goes straight to help the cause.
“I am now back at work and in remission, using my days off to attend ongoing appointments at ARI. Working at Sport Aberdeen’s Beach Leisure Centre and being surrounded by youngsters really keeps me feeling young and energised. “
Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Operations and Asset Development, Keith Gerrard, praised Bill’s effort:
“We’re all in awe of the strength with which Bill has shown in beating this life-changing illness. Sport Aberdeen is 110% behind him as he raises money for Anchor and awareness of the work undertaken by the charity.”
Bill’s story:
“After being successfully treated by the most amazing doctors and staff here in Aberdeen, the cancer came back in 2015. That was two years ago and I am currently taking part in medical research trials and taking a new experimental drug. When I was asked whether I would like to take part in the trial I said yes straight away, it was a no-brainer, I didn’t want to lose my hair again!
The team that treated me in Aberdeen were fantastic, I really can’t speak highly enough of them.
I am now back at work and in remission, using my days off to attend ongoing appointments at ARI. Working at Sport Aberdeen’s Beach Leisure Centre and being surrounded by youngsters really keeps me feeling young and energised.
If you had told me five years ago that I would be taking part in a catwalk and learning poses and half-turns, I would have laughed and bet you a lot of money that that would never happen!
But here we are. There are 24 of us taking part in the Brave show all together, this is the first year us men have been involved in the fundraising event. We range in age from 18 to 79 years old, but we are all set on raising money and having great fun at the event.
We have had several rehearsals in the run-up. Premier Productions have been putting us through our paces and its brilliant, so professional!
“Nothing gets me down. My slogan for the Brave catwalk is simple: Be positive, fight cancer.”
It is a real pleasure to be taking part in this event with the 23 other inspirational men – and of course all the women taking part in Courage on the Catwalk. We are doing this to raise awareness and money, and every penny goes straight to help the cause.
I have been married for 39 years and the support my wife and daughter, who volunteers at Courage on the Catwalk, have given me over the years is truly heart-warming. I want to raise awareness and money for the next generation, for the next person to fall ill to this disease and the families that support them.
This is such an important event. Every single penny raised will go towards building a new unit which will help so many people in the future, and help the incredible team of doctors and nurses in Aberdeen to carry on the life-saving work they carry out every day.”
Eilish Brodie and Zoe Lennox, who are both studying for an BA in Media at the local university, took part in a 12-week placement for their third year where they filmed a series of videos.
Projects included the innovative ‘Social Stories’ videos, created in partnership with Me Too!, as a means of familiarising customers with additional support needs with Sport Aberdeen venues prior to use in order to break down barriers to participation in sport.
The placement is part of Sport Aberdeen’s ongoing partnership with RGU to provide students with opportunities to experience the world of work. This year the placement programme was expanded following the success of the Aberdeen Youth Games project organised by Sport Aberdeen Active Schools in partnership with RGU and North East Scotland College.
Both students requested to be taken on for the 12-week placement with Sport Aberdeen after producing work for the registered charity as part of a previous course.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Business Development Director Jill Franks said:
“Eilish and Zoe have made an enormous contribution to the success of Sport Aberdeen’s online presence with their creative and professional videos.
“They are an asset to Robert Gordon University, who I know will be proud of the impact their students are having in the community. Sport Aberdeen is committed to becoming the employer of choice for those seeking a career in the leisure industry.
“It is increasingly important and valuable for students to gain experience within a real working environment and we are delighted to support this.”
Izzy Crawford, Subject Leader for Media, Public Relations and Journalism said:
“We are incredibly proud of Eilish and Zoe who have shown outstanding professionalism and competence on placement. RGU Media students combine business and creativity to help employers achieve their goals.”
Eilish Brodie said:
“This placement was undertaken as part of a client-based project with Sport Aberdeen. Not only has it been beneficial to find out more about what the organisation does for the local community but the opportunity to apply my theoretical knowledge from university as well as my own practical skills has been incredibly rewarding.”