Sport Aberdeen manager scoops top sporting award

23.11.16

Sally Carns, Senior Operations Manager at Sport Aberdeen, has been awarded Community Coach of the Year by national sport agency sportscotland.

The prize was awarded in recognition of her efforts to create opportunities for more people to play netball in Aberdeen. Carns, who works full time with Sport Aberdeen and is based at the Linx Ice Arena, undertakes a wide range of netball coaching roles in her spare time.

Most recently the Sport Aberdeen manager has been appointed as Development Academies Coach by Netball Scotland for the North Academy, following on from her coaching in Shetland and Orkney last year as part of the Netball Scotland led programme. She will receive the top accolade at a ceremony tomorrow night (Wednesday 23rd) due to her work establishing Bucksburn Netball Club and lead coaching the RGU Netball team.

Sport Aberdeen’s Head of HR and Organisational Development Nickie Scorgie today praised Sally’s success:

“At Sport Aberdeen we are committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. Sally’s dedication to her sport and positive attitude has been an inspiration not only to the community in which she coaches, but to everyone at Sport Aberdeen.”

Nickie Scorgie added that the organisation’s Smarter Working opportunities are an important tool for attracting talent:

“Our organisation is made stronger by having colleagues who are passionate about sport and physical activity both in and out of work. Through initiatives such as flexible working, Sport Aberdeen is proud to support our colleagues to pursue their broader ambitions. It’s one of many steps we have taken in efforts to become employer of choice for those seeking a career in sport and physical activity in Aberdeen.”

Sally Carns, who is also a top three finalist in the running for the Sports Coach UK Community Coach of the Year, said:

“I am honoured and privileged, not to mention a little surprised to be recognised in this way for doing something I love.

“Bucksburn Netball club was set up to support all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes in pursuing their love of netball and I am lucky enough to have an amazing coaching team and support team at the club, not to mention fabulous players.

“Without the support of them I would not be half the coach I am today. I would encourage anyone wanting to get involved in coaching to give it a try. As a volunteer I get fantastic reward by seeing individuals and teams develop in the sport we love, and never tire of seeing people achieve things they didn’t think they could.”