The entry level Live Well Classes are to be hosted at Westburn Outdoor Sports Centre with the aim of catering to the needs of those getting back into fitness or those who prefer a more gentle session.
The classes include Live Well Stretch, Live Well Circuits, Healthy Active Minds and Stable & Able. All of the classes incorporate a relaxed approach to building up a sweat whilst avoiding a high heart rate and are particularly suitable for those who are part of health condition specific classes such as the 12 week Macmillan Move More treatment.
The latter two classes are free to attend for a limited period with Stable & Able particularly catering for older adults looking to prevent falls and maintain independence as well as those with a physical disability.
A Sport Aberdeen spokesperson said:
“Fitness and exercise is often associated with high octane workouts but it is important to remember the importance of physical activity to everyone of any ability. The introduction of these classes reflects our desire to provide the community with as many opportunities as possible to remain healthy regardless of circumstances.”
Those interested should contact Westburn Outdoor Sports Centre on 01224 641719.
An Aberdeen project which helps people affected by cancer get active has welcomed its 100th participant to the programme.
Move More Aberdeen, which is celebrating the first anniversary of its official launch this month, includes walking groups, a gentle movement class, circuits-based activity classes and gardening.
The programme has just seen the 100th participant join one of its walking groups which provide a fun and sociable way of getting more active, while getting outside and enjoying some fresh air.
Around half of the participants on the programme have completed a 12-week session and a fifth have carried on to take part in a further one or two activities.
Macmillan Cancer Support invested over £200,000 to develop Move More Aberdeen in partnership with Sport Aberdeen.
As well as helping people cope with the side effects of treatment, it also provides them with an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation and reduces the loneliness and isolation that the disease can create for those affected.
Penny Morrice, from Aberdeen, took part in a Move More Aberdeen circuit class after being diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.
“What I found difficult was getting over the shock of having something wrong with me because I felt perfectly well,” she says. “I didn’t really take very kindly to having to have surgery and radiotherapy.
“By the end of the treatment, I was getting fed up and someone from the radiotherapy department suggested I join a Move More class.
“I had joined the gym earlier on that year but the treatment and everything else had got in the way. I was really happy about the idea of getting back to doing exercise and it was actually the best thing I have ever done.”
The 63-year-old grandmother signed up to the Move More circuits group at Sheddocksley Sports Centre.
“There had been all this publicity about breast cancer and cancer in general, especially for women, that if you lost that wee bit of weight and got fitter it would help your chances. I still believe anything I can do that stops the cancer coming back again, I will do.
“For me it helped my mental attitude more than anything. Doing exercise makes you feel good and as you get fitter you feel better. It’s a positive circle.
“It has been so beneficial. I’m much more positive, I feel fitter and it’s also the people. They have all been in the same situation. None of us talked about what we had been through but you could see everyone improving as the weeks went on.
“We all looked after each other to a certain degree and it was a very, very friendly class.”
Josefine Bjorkqvist, Macmillan Development Officer at Sport Aberdeen said: “Our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support through the Move More programme is critical to Sport Aberdeen’s efforts to create opportunities, inspire people and change lives through sport and physical activity.
“The programme demonstrates the benefits of remaining active for people affected by cancer and it is important we continue to work towards integrating physical activity into routine care for those living with and beyond cancer.”
Despite suffering defeats to Leicester Ligers (the favorites) Hinckley Revolution and Bedford Mighty Eagles (the eventual winners), the Jesmond Sports Centre based side gave incredibly good accounts of themselves against opposition with far more resources.
The team put on some impressive performances throughout the tournament against high class opposition, particulalry in a final playoff with Welsh Champions the Cardiff Dragons, with a final defeat cruelly forced upon them in just the last 6 seconds of overtime.
The Scottish Champions did not return empty handed however with two of the sides players picking up UK Dodgeball Association end of year awards! Gary MacDecent was selected for Male Personality of the Year with Pete Watt selected for Clubman of the Year. This alone is a huge achievement for the club given the standards of the opposition, with awards assigned via player votes. The Guerrillas are looking forward to capitalising on they’re rapid growth at the Jesmond Sports Centre!
The Granite City Guerrillas will travel to Cannock, England, for the tournament on Sunday 26th June having won the Scottish Championships in May, earning the right to represent Scotland at the tournament.
The Jesmond based side, who currently train at Sport Aberdeens Jesmond Sports Centre, face tough competition in the tournament following a difficult draw in the group stages but remain optimistic of causing an upset.
Peter Watt of the Guerrillas said:
“Everyone at the Guerrillas is really looking forward to the tournament and hopefully causing some upsets. We have been drawn into a tough group, but this is the UK Championships so all games will be difficult ones. The club are delighted to have Christy Bolland leading the team as captain and we all know the team definitely has the ability to do well. Everyone at the Guerrillas wish all of our players the best of luck.”
The Aberdeen side have in grown in popularity following a scheme to offer those made redundant in the oil & gas sector free attendance to the clubs training. Since then the club were granted permission to host the national competition for the second time in their history with their growth set to continue.
Hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, the annual event will this year be held at the AECC and needs Aberdeen’s help to make this year’s ceremony the biggest to date.
The awards are held to recognise the commitment, dedication and achievements of local athletes, teams, volunteers and coaches who put Aberdeen on the sporting map. Aberdonians of all ages and background smash records, overcome hurdles and achieve great things in sport on a daily basis in the city.
Last year’s ceremony honoured local stars Robbie Renwick, Neil Fachie and Rhona Auckland as well as a host of others in a number of categories.
The closing date for nominations is Friday 26th August. To submit a nomination simply visit www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/events/aberdeenssportsawards
The Synchronised Skating Team from the Lynx Ice Arena took part in the prestigious competition in Budapest, competing against the worlds elite teams.
26 teams took to the ice for their Short Program and Free Skating with Team GB setting personal bests on both days finishing 23rd overall, ahead of teams with far more experience in international competition.
After weeks of hard work both on and off the ice, the team were over the moon, with Coach Sara Paterson particularly pleased with their performance.
“Being at the World Championships was amazing, overwhelming and a very special time for us all . We had a great week and a wonderful experience.
On both days the girls scored personal best scores. I really couldn’t ask for much more than that. They were on a world stage for the very first time and I really think its something we can use and build on in the future.
I want to personally thank everyone who supported the girls over the last very intense 8 weeks! Without everyone’s support and sponsorship we wouldn’t have got the opportunity we just experienced.”
Sport Aberdeen would like to welcome the entire team home and congratulate them for doing Aberdeen and GB proud on the world stage.
The Sport Aberdeen crew successfully completed the Kiltwalk and now have a final total raised for the STV Childrens Appeal.
The team of 11 took on the 26 mile challenge after being inspired during a fundraiser by Sport Aberdeen customers for the Appeal as they endured a full day of exercise classes. As a result, the team dusted off their walking boots, donned the tartan and hit the trail in sweltering conditions all in the name of charity.
Temperatures were soaring as the team set off from Duthie Park, trekking along the railway route to Banchory and beyond.
The combined efforts of both fundraisers have collectively raised over £1000 for the STV Childrens Appeal, a fantastic organisation that continues to do wonderful work for children in Scotland.
The STV Children’s Appeal was launched to support children in Scotland affected by poverty. The Appeal raises funds to help make a real difference to those who need it most, by providing practical help like food and warm clothes; creating opportunities for training and employability; and enabling social and emotional support.
Since the launch in 2011 the Appeal has changed countless lives and continues to support children and families across Scotland.
The Sport Aberdeen team would like to extend a massive THANK YOU to everyone who made a generous donation to the cause.
The prestigious Sport Aberdeen course, which also hosts the City Championships final, welcomed the group on 27th May, in one of the organisations first official corporate days.
39 golfers enjoyed a Texas Scramble match with the course in prime condition following the recent good weather.
The group felt the benefit of the good course conditions leading to a competitive round of entertaining golf which Sport Aberdeen hopes to share at future events and on a daily basis for customers.
The Union St Mile is set to return in 2016 as a forerunner to the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade, with race organisers Sport Aberdeen eagerly anticipating another great event.
And now with official backing from student accommodation group, Unite Students, the race will be bigger and better than ever.
Unite Students Aberdeen city manager Jo Blair commented: “As a business Unite Students considers Aberdeen a key market and we are delighted to do our bit by supporting the Union Street Mile. The marvellous spectacle sets the stage for the fantastic Celebrate Aberdeen parade which brings the strong sense of community and all that’s good about Aberdeen to the fore.”
“Hopefully the 2016 event will be the most popular yet with runners of all ages taking on the unique and popular challenge.”
A Sport Aberdeen spokesperson said:
“We are delighted to have Unite Students on board with the Union St Mile. The race is a great spectacle and is a fantastic way to kick off a day of celebration for Aberdeen. With the welcomed support from Unite Students we are confident we can deliver the best race yet in what will be a brilliant day for all”
A short but gruelling challenge, the Union St Mile see’s racers divided into 3 categories of P6 – 7, S1 – 4 and the concluding seniors race, entrants of which must be able to complete a 1 mile sprint in under 7 minutes. The race continually attracts big numbers with hundreds more lining the streets to cheer them on as they watch the regions elite compete.
The Celebrate Aberdeen parade will commence following the conclusion of the race. Entries for the race will open soon.
Sport Aberdeen would like to congratulate all of the nominees and winners from the Aberdeen Sports Council Awards last night, 2nd June, at Curl Aberdeen.
A full album of photography from the evening can be found here.
Winners
Female Junior – Robyn Geddes – Archery
Male Junior – Dylan Curry – Table Tennis
Female Senior – Rhona Auckland – Athletics
Male Senior – David Florence – Canoeing
Female Athlete with a Disability – Toni Shaw – Swimming
Male Athlete with a Disability – Conner Morrison – Swimming
Veteran – Audrey Cooper – Swimming
Club Person – Leroy Smith – Boxing
Coach – Gregor McMillan – Swimming
Team – Zariba – Synchronised Ice Skating
Aberdeen Sports Council, Service to Sport – Gordon McCathie – Judo
Salsc Service to Sports – Fraser Clyne – Athletics