Despite awful conditions, Marion Malcolm (pictured far right) raised the money for the cancer charity as part of the Macmillan Munroes challenge on Saturday 21st May.
39 walkers took part in the challenge with three associates joining Marion in her fundraising attempt. The team traversed two Scottish mountains on the day in extremely difficult weather, with wind and rain a constant issue. However the group successfully climbed Carn Aosda amd The Cairnwell.
As part of Volunteer Recognition Week, Sport Aberdeen would like to congratulate Marion and the team on their fantastic fundraising efforts for Macmillan. Marion is a volunteer with the Macmillan Move More Aberdeen programme which does fantastic work with people affected by cancer. Find out more about the programme here
Registered charity, Sport Aberdeen, is gathering a team of keen golfers to participate in the Longest Day Golf Challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Taking place on Monday 20th June, the challenge is a UK-wide event where fundraising teams take on four rounds of golf back to back. This works out to be roughly 72 holes, 300 shots and a 20 mile walk in one day.
The event is held under Stableford rules and is a true endurance test for golfers. Almost 2,000 teams took on the challenge last year and raised over £1 million for the cancer charity.
Sport Aberdeen today reached out to local golfers to get involved with the challenge.
Commenting, a Sport Aberdeen spokesperson said:
“We can’t wait to get stuck in with this challenge. We have four excellent Sport Aberdeen courses to enjoy including Balnagask, Kings Links, Hazlehead Pines and Mackenzie Championship Course. But we are under no illusion how tough this will be.
In the end however, this is for a great cause so we are really looking forward to raising as much money as possible. “
Sport Aberdeen will be co-ordinating teams to take part in event and have asked for all expressions of interest to be received before the 6th June. Please contact us here for all inquires.
The first round of the Aberdeen City Championship 2016 is set to tee off this weekend.
The qualifying opportunity for the Sport Aberdeen tournament will take place at Balnagask Golf Course, Sunday 29th May, with spaces still available.
Aberdeen’s premier golf competition enjoyed a successful debut year in 2015 with the new and improved format, allowing a better sense of inclusion across the city.
Originally a two day competition, the tournament now involves each of Sport Aberdeen’s courses meaning four opportunities for participants to qualify for the semi-final. Golfers can attempt to qualify at one or all of the courses which include Kings Links, Balnagask, Hazlehead Pines and MacKenzie Championship Course over the course of a month.
Golfers have until the end of Thursday, 26th May to apply online, after which competitors are asked to phone the starters box on 01224876407 or visit the course. Entries will remain online for the other qualifying rounds. The tournament will then conclude on the 31st at the MacKenzie Championship Course.
Entries can be taken on the day subject to availability, however golfers are encouraged to enter now to guarantee their preferred tee time.
Golfers are encouraged to sign up for what is set to be the best year of the city competition yet, with season pass holders able to enter for free.
Visit our online entry page here or enquire at any Golf Aberdeen Course.
Sport Aberdeen’s Jesmond Sports Centre, home to the Granite City Guerrillas, will welcome various Aberdeen based teams having first hosted the tournament in 2013.
In order to claim victory, players will have to Dodge, Dip, Dive, Duck and Dodge – the 5 fundamental rules of the sport made famous by the 2004 film ‘Dodgeball: A True underdog Story’.
The sport has gone from strength to strength in recent years with interest and participation at a high.
The Guerrillas introduced a popular scheme this year which gave workers made redundant following the oil downturn free entry to their training sessions.
Peter Watt of the Guerrillas said:
“We are delighted to be hosting the Scottish championship on behalf of the UK Dodgeball Association. We think it’s a great opportunity to promote the sport in the city and a fantastic way to bring together various groups from our local community. We’d like to encourage as many people as possible to come along and watch the event – it’s free to watch.”
Commenting, a Sport Aberdeen spokesperson said:
“We are excited to play host to this fantastic event, which really celebrates diversity in sport.
“We can’t wait to welcome all the Dodgeball teams to the Jesmond Sports Centre. The Granite City Guerrillas have worked hard to bring this to Aberdeen and we hope the local community will turn out on the day to see the action first hand.”
Several Aberdeen based teams have occupied every available slot with the winning team to be offered a place in the UK championship in England (June) as well as being crowned Scottish champions. The Guerillas will field two teams and have created three sister teams consisting of players from their ladies sessions and various organisations. SCHMU radio and a local martial arts club will also be fielding teams for the tournament. Active Schools, who are continually encouraging children to stay healthy and active, have also submitted a team.
The tournament will run from 1 – 5pm on Saturday 21st at the Jesmond Sports Centre with organisers keen to encourage people to come along, free of charge, and enjoy the spectacle.
A North-East leisure trust has secured a £4,000 boost to deliver community based physical activity programmes with people experiencing mental health issues, which can affect one in four of us.
The Active Healthy Minds project, led by Sport Aberdeen in partnership with the Aberdeen Mental Health & Wellbeing Network, offers access to a wide range of physical activity sessions to improve the health and wellbeing of adults with mental health issues by promoting self-management. The announcement comes as part of mental Health Awareness week.
People can take part in activities ranging from live well circuits classes and supported gym sessions to trying fun new sports and activities such as walking football and pickleball. Confidence in Water classes are also on offer for those who would like to feel more confident and comfortable and increase their skills in the swimming pool.
The project was launched after Sport Aberdeen won a bid to the Health Improvement Fund facilitated by Public Health, Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (formerly the Community Health Partnership).
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Inclusion Development Officer Andrinne Craig said:
“We’re delighted that the Active Healthy Minds Project has secured this significant funding boost.
“It means that Sport Aberdeen can continue to create opportunities and change lives through physical activity. Our programmes provide a safe and sociable place for participants to enjoy physical activity. When people find an activity they really enjoy, we are able to signpost them to regular classes across the City.
Running enthusiasts of Aberdeen are set to descend on the beach area of Aberdeen this weekend for the Baker Hughes 10K Running Festival.
The festival, organised by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, will take place Sunday 15th May with over 4,500 runners ready to take on the most popular road race in the North East.
A host of extra incentives has been introduced this year solidifying the race as a family occasion which brings the whole city together. These include a vegan café, skating ramp, inflatable pitches, science demonstrations and more. As always, the ten official partner charities will be present at the race village with stalls as they support the thousands of runners before and after they hit the road.
All four races return to the schedule with the school 2K starting at 9:00am followed by the wheelchair race at 9:25, the 10K at 9:30 and the Banks o Dee fun run setting off 5 minutes later.
Race organisers are keen to encourage as many spectators as possible to line the streets and cheer on the runners in what is always a fun day out for the whole family.
Participants and spectators are also advised to use public transport where possible due to very limited parking around the race area with road closures also coming into effect.
Commenting on the festival, a Sport Aberdeen representative said:
“We’re really hopeful the good weather we’re experiencing holds up for both the runners and spectators. As ever, all of the information regarding routes and planned closures can be found on our website.
“In order to ensure the day is a success for all involved we would encourage everyone to review traffic management information before heading out.
“With increased traffic and parking restrictions in and around the Beach and Pittodrie areas, we would advise the public to use public transport wherever possible in order to reduce possible congestion.
“The Baker Hughes 10k is a great day out for all the family and it’s always good to see the whole city rally behind this event. We wish all of our participants the best of luck.”
Torry Sports Centre will host a ‘We Love Torry’ day to encourage residents to stay active and healthy.
The Sport Aberdeen venue will welcome anyone on Saturday 14th May from 10am onwards with an assortment of activities and taster sessions on offer.
The family fun day will include fitness classes conducted by Sport Aberdeens Health and Wellness Team, tennis, boccia, basketball tasters courtesy of Twilight Basketball with AFC Community Trust also delivering walking football and a health walk in the afternoon.
In addition to these taster sessions will be a number of children’s activities including street sports, face painting, a fire engine visit and more.
There will be 20 other stall holders ranging from community groups, local community centres and health related organisations as well as those who offer financial support and advice.
Healthy snacks and a light lunch will be provided for the public. Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available for all.
A Sport Aberdeen spokesperson said:
“We take great pride in supporting initiatives across the city that encourage people of all ages to get out there, keep fit and stay healthy. The We Love Torry event is a great chance for the people of the area and beyond to come along with the family and have some fun.
After Great Britain’s recent success in the Davis Cup, Sport Aberdeen is proud to announce a new tennis programme starting at the end of May at Ruthrieston Outdoor Sports Centre.
Tennis Scotland has supported the initiative with funding support, enabling the appointment of a professional coach to develop and deliver tennis activity at the facility.
Mike Kolacz, Regional Development Manager for Tennis Scotland said:
“The programme at Ruthrieston is a great way for people of all ages to get involved with tennis and I’m sure this weekend’s open day will be a huge success. Tennis Scotland is committed to investing into community tennis across the City and the site at Ruthrieston is another example of a facility where people can play our sport as often as they want and take advantage of a fantastic and varied programme.”
The program will be led by Tennis Aberdeen’s Head Community Coach, Sam Price. Sam has been working as a coach with Tennis Aberdeen at Westburn Tennis Centre for the last 3 years, coaching both juniors and adults as well as running outreach sessions in the local community and schools.
Sam said:
“I am excited to get tennis going at Ruthrieston and engage the local community at this fantastic site. The aim is to develop tennis regardless of experience or ability, as Tennis is a great sport for advancing a range of skills at any age.’
Matt Kerswell, Sport Aberdeen’s Tennis Development Manager said:
“I am thrilled we can utilise Ruthrieston and offer an opportunity for the local community to play tennis. The potential is huge; Sam is an enthusiastic coach and I look forward to seeing him grow the programme. We have put together an offering that hopefully caters for all: Mini Tennis, Junior and Adult programmes plus a FREE adult matchplay evening on Fridays’
Sam will also be working closely with local schools in the area to help establish a pathway into the sport, promoting opportunities to engage.
Join Sam and other members of the Tennis Aberdeen team at Ruthrieston on Saturday 14th May, 10am – 2pm as they launch the programme with a ‘GREAT BRITISH TENNIS WEEKEND’. This is a free open day where all the family can come and give tennis a try. Tennis activity and games will be delivered by the tennis team who will showcase various opportunities for everyone to get involved and play this year. Visit the website for more details and sign up.
Move More Aberdeen, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered by Sport Aberdeen, provides free therapeutic physical activity groups to help people following a diagnosis of cancer to get active and feel good.
The Move More Aberdeen programme plans to deliver free therapeutic gardening sessions though their programme. They have secured a lease to a plot at Garthdee Fields Allotments and hope to transform this into a vibrant therapeutic growing space.
Commenting, MacMillan Development Officer Mark Brown said:
“Gardening is a fantastic activity, for both body and mind, improving physical and mental well being among people affected by cancer.
“We want to create a space that is suitable and welcoming to our participants at the therapeutic garden. The allotment needs work before we can put the programme into action.
“We’re asking the local community for help to provide building materials for gravel boards, bark mulch, a shed and more. If you can help in any way we would love to hear from you!”
The public are being asked to contact Mark Brown if they are able to donate any items.
Phone: 01224 577729
Email: MoveMore@sportaberdeen.co.uk
Both teams made sure that spectators got a true taste of wheelchair basketball as the players fought fiercely to win. Each team took a little runs leading the game in the first half, with some excellent outside shooting from Dundee. However the composed team play of Grampian and use of their height advantage in Scotland U23 Centre, Katie McBriety, allowed Grampian to slowly extend their lead in the 3rd quarter. The final score of the game was 44 to Grampian Flyers Vs 33 to Dundee Dragons, with everyone performing their roles expertly.
The Flyers and Dragons are very equally matched, as both clubs started basketball in the last few years and have developed by playing a number of matches against one another throughout the years. Dundee Dragons started as a wheelchair rugby team that then diversified into basketball due to interest from players, whereas Grampian Flyers is a running basketball club that wanted to expand to include wheelchair athletes.
Both clubs now have players in the Scotland youth squads as well as their coaching staff being involved as well. The Flyers would like to thank all the companies that have supported them and purchased equipment to allow them to play at such a high standard, also we would like to thank the Beach leisure centre for being so accommodating and working with the team to ensure accessibility and storage is not a factor that stops this great activity from taking place.