Sport Aberdeen struck gold at the 2019 Elevator Awards scooping the top spot in the Enterprising Communities category, despite strong local competition.
Left to right: Gordon Edwards Sub Committee Chairman, Nickie Scorgie Head of HR & Organisational Development, Keith Gerrard Director of Healthy and Active Communities and Colin G. Taylor Sport Aberdeen Chairman.
Finalists were invited to an award ceremony, which took place last night (Thursday 27 June), at Aberdeen’s Ardoe House Hotel, where winners were announced.
The Enterprising Communities Award highlights a community-based organisation or business that demonstrates a strong commitment to its local community by the way it engages and interacts with its operating environment.
The award recognises Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to making positive changes within the communities in which it operates and its dedication to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity regardless of age or ability.
A focus was placed on the recent transformation of Sport Aberdeen’s Get active @ Sheddocksley. The facility, previously a failing and unused 1970s sports centre in one of Aberdeen’s most deprived areas, prone to vandalism and antisocial behaviour, has been transformed into one of the most contemporary wellbeing and fitness facilities in the city, reducing its risk of closure and ensuring its sustainability for the foreseeable future. The centre is now a dynamic community hub which creates a deep sense of belonging and pride for the local community.
Amongst the programmes noted were Sport Aberdeen’s Looked After Project, which utilises the power of sport and physical activity to positively affect the lives of looked after children and young people; and Move More Aberdeen, a pioneering physical activity programme specifically designed for people living with long term conditions.
The Elevator Awards, now in its 20th year, celebrates business excellence and achievement in the North East.
Sport Aberdeen’s Chairman, Colin G. Taylor, commented:
“It is fantastic to know that our efforts are not only acknowledged and celebrated but are truly making a difference within the communities that Sport Aberdeen serves.
“As we continue to be recognised both locally and nationally, this strengthens our platform and allows us to continue to build upon new and existing partnerships, broadening our reach and allowing us to continue to change lives through sport and physical activity in local communities.”
Responding to this latest success, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, Alistair Robertson, said:
“I am delighted that Sport Aberdeen has been named as the winner of the Enterprising Communities category, recognising our place at the heart of the local community and highlighting the ongoing work that is carried out year after year by all of our dedicated staff, volunteers and board members.
“This recognition within the North East is testament to what we stand for as a business. We work tirelessly to build and maintain relationships with the local communities we operate within, which enables us to offer customers the best possible experience at our facilities across the city.”
Aquatics Aberdeen, facilitated by registered charity Sport Aberdeen, delivered lessons to over 4,000 children last week in line with a national campaign which aims to reduce the number of drowning and non-drowning incidents which occur in the UK every year.
Lessons under the National Learn to Swim Framework were specially adapted to include key water safety guidance as part of the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention Week which ran from 14th-24th June and saw thousands of young swimmers across Aberdeen learn self-rescue and life-saving skills in the largest coordinated water safety lesson ever seen in Scotland.
The campaign, created by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) aims to reduce the number of drowning and non-fatal drowning incidences that occur in the UK every year, by showing people how to be safe and have fun near water.
The campaign encourages schools, clubs, leisure centres and communities, to promote water safety education through events, lessons, games and activities, in a bid to make people more aware of the dangers of water.
Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water – who are partners in Learn to Swim – joined with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Leisure Trusts and Aquatic providers to deliver the exclusive lessons just before the summer holidays.
Dianne Breen, Sport Aberdeen Aquatics Manager, said:
“Aquatics Aberdeen have delivered bespoke Drowning Prevention Week swimming lessons for the past five years in conjunction with RLSS and are we were delighted to be involved in this nationwide campaign alongside Scottish Swimming and partners.”
Sharon MacDonald, Director of Development at Scottish Swimming, said:
“Swimming is an essential life skill which helps children to be safer in and around water. Ahead of the summer holidays we want children to have fun and enjoy swimming but to also have the knowledge on how to look after themselves and others.”
The Learn to Swim Framework aims to teach over 100,000 kids to be confident, safe and competent swimmers by 2020.
For more information or to apply to our Learn to Swim Programme, please click here.
A month-long series of fun runs, bringing together children from across Aberdeen, has seen a record number of participants taking to the track this year.
The 2019 Fun Run Series, run by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Team, saw over 800 pupils from a staggering 47 schools take part in the programme which took place over a four-week period from May to June this year.
The programme, which is free to all children, is designed to allow pupils from schools across Aberdeen to take part in a fun event which encourages them to participate in sport and physical activity with the added excitement of a little healthy competition amongst peers.
Over 700 children completed three or more races, receiving a participation medal for their commitment and hard work.
Yesterday (Wednesday 19 June) the series culminated in a Champion of Champions event which took place at Harlaw Playing Fields where pupils from P4-P7 with the fastest running times from the series were invited to compete against each other.
The total distance covered by all pupils who took part in the events from this year’s series is a whopping 2,470 km, which is the equivalent of travelling from Aberdeen to Moscow.
Sport Aberdeen’s Senior Development Manager (Young People) Graeme Dale, said:
“This year we have had fantastic representation of schools from across the whole city, with record numbers of pupils participating in the programme. To have 47 schools involved, including some Academy and Orchard Brae pupils, is an incredible achievement.
“It’s great to see so many pupils showing a passion for running and the series would not be possible without the constant support of the Active Schools Coordinators and all the volunteers who help bring the annual event to life.
“The Champion of Champions event was a brilliant end to the very successful 2019 programme and has everyone excited for another active year ahead. The series really highlights the local talent here in Aberdeen and through encouraging and supporting each and every one of our young runners, we can look to foster the next generation of local sporting stars and encourage increasingly more children to get active through fun events like this.”
Sport Aberdeen has been shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Staff Matter’ category at the Northern Star Business Awards 2019.
Organised by the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), the Northern Star Business Awards recognises companies across the North East for their exceptional accomplishments in pioneering innovation and outstanding customer service to excellence in people development, environmental outlook and marketing prowess.
Sport Aberdeen has been shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Staff Matter’ category which recognises organisations who take care of their people, so their people take care of their business.
Through investing in the personal and professional development of its people, Sport Aberdeen continuously enhances the scope of services offered to local communities, delivering its overarching commitment to continuous improvement as part of its aim of delivering excellence in all that it does.
Sport Aberdeen has grown into an award-winning charitable organisation which offers rewarding and fulfilling careers in the sport and physical activity sector and also in our business corporate support functions, offering career opportunities for local people who are interested in giving something back to their local communities.
Nickie Scorgie, Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development, commented:
“We are delighted that Sport Aberdeen has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Staff Matter category. Sport Aberdeen is committed to developing its employees who are recognised as key to the success of the company.
“Without each and every member of staff we would not be able to continue to deliver the incredible work that the charity does. We aim to create opportunities, inspire people and change lives through sport and physical activity, whether this is employees, customers or members of the local communities we work within.
“Sport Aberdeen prides itself on being far more than just a sport and leisure provider.”
A pioneering group of young people from schools across Aberdeen celebrated a staggering number of attendees at a local event aimed at getting more girls physically active.
The all-girls event was run by The Active Girls Committee, facilitated by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team, whose main aim is to increase physical activity amongst girls by 10% by the end of school year 2019/20.
The event, now in its second year, took place on Friday 7 June at Aberdeen Sports Village and saw almost 300 girls from 11 citywide secondary schools attend the annual girl’s celebration. The event consisted of various activity stations which the girls took part in, encouraging them and their peers to engage in physical activity, breaking down barriers and building self-confidence.
Commenting, Keith Gerrard, Director of Healthy and Active Communities with Sport Aberdeen said:
“Since launching in 2016 the Active Girls Committee, with ongoing support from Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Coordinators, has gone from strength to strength. From winning a prestigious Community Leisure UK award, to the mention of the pioneering work in parliament, the initiative is very much an active catalyst for positive change within out city and the wider area.
“The energy and commitment shown by each and every member of the committee is astounding, and they are undoubtedly inspiring more of their peers to get more active, with participation from girls in Aberdeen City schools significantly increasing.
“I am sure the committee has a very active and successful year to look forward to.”
Aimee Work, Active Girls Committee Chairperson, also commented:
“The event marked a great ending to an amazing busy year where we have achieved so much as a committee.
“We have so much to look forward to going into the next academic year as we look to focus our efforts on the transition period from girls going from primary to secondary schools. Organising events within local primary schools will be a goal of ours so that girls are aware of who we are before moving up to academies.
“Furthermore, we are slowly expanding the number of members on the committee and hope to offer many leadership programmes for the girls to be put through as well as inspiring more girls to get involved in leadership roles.”
Stars of ITV’s Dancing on Ice, Mark Hanretty and Alex Murphy are due to make their much-anticipated return to the North East ice this July.
Building on the huge success of last year’s event in the city – the TV skaters are coming back to take part in the 2019 Summer Skating Spectacular at Sport Aberdeen’s Linx Ice Arena on Sunday 7 July.
The skating showcase will be the centrepiece of a day that also includes a series of workshops for juniors and adults – allowing skaters of all ages and abilities to receive, invaluable, expert advice from the two professional ice dancers who have competed and won medals for their respective countries at a championship level. There will also be a Family Fun Disco and a meet and greet opportunity with Mark and Alex.
Jon Behari, Learn to Skate Coordinator and NISA Level 2 Coach and Choreographer said:
“We are delighted to welcome Mark and Alex back to the Linx Ice Arena. Last year was a storming success and everyone that took part, Mark and Alex included, were very eager to return to do it again.
“The event provides a great insight into the number of paths available within ice skating and we hope it will encourage some spectators to come back and give it a try.”
Speaking on behalf of Alex and himself, Mark Hanretty said:
“We can’t wait to return to Aberdeen to work together for the skate spectacular!
“We were so impressed by the number and standard of the skaters at last year’s event and we are excited to see their improvements 12 months on.
“It’s always a pleasure for us to perform as a team and I’m proud to have chance to share my home country with Alex in front of a wonderfully welcoming Scottish crowd.“
The Summer Skating Spectacular will take place on Sunday 7 July. Discounted early bird tickets are on sale now and cost £6.00 for children and £10.00 for adults, with family tickets also available. With a limited number of places, book now to guarantee an exciting day on the ice with our stars! www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/summer-skating-spectacular
The future of Aberdeen’s Sports Awards has been secured after the Evening Express agreed to take on the event.
This year will be the 26th edition of the annual ceremony recognising the Granite City’s sporting heroes, from world-class athletes to the many clubs, coaches and volunteers in the community.
The Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP) – who lead sport and physical activity in the city – have run the awards previously, but were forced to prioritise other areas, leaving the event with an uncertain future.
However, they will now go ahead on Thursday October 3 at P&J Live – Aberdeen’s new exhibition and conference centre.
Evening Express editor Craig Walker said: “The Evening Express has been a key partner in the sports awards since Alistair Robertson and his team at Sport Aberdeen approached the paper and we became media partners, helping promote the event and its different award categories and lifting the event to become the standout night to celebrate north-east sporting success.
“Thanks to the many sponsoring partners and the organisations that make up the AAP, it really has gone from strength to strength.
“The Evening Express champions local sport, from grassroots to elite, from schools competitions to world and Olympic level and the awards are a perfect fit for us.
“We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with the AAP and we’re looking forward to taking Aberdeen’s Sports Awards to the city’s new event complex at P&J Live on October 3 for what will be the first event of its kind in the venue.
“We are also delighted to welcome our headline sponsors Fantastic Fanatics.”
The awards in their current form were established in 1994, when the Aberdeen City Council, Chris Anderson Trust and Sports Council awards were brought together in one ceremony.
In recent years, the main Sports Achiever of the Year prize has been dominated by athletes who’ve excelled on the international stage.
Sprinter Zoey Clark has won two years in a row as a result of relay medals at the World Championships and World Indoor Championships.
Before Clark, household names recognised include paracyclist Neil Fachie, canoeist David Florence and rower Katherine Grainger, as well as swimming sensations Robbie Renwick and Hannah Miley.
Speaking on behalf of the AAP, Alistair Robertson, managing director of Sport Aberdeen, said: “Over the last 25 years, Aberdeen’s Sports Awards have celebrated the city’s wealth of sporting talent and recognised the many clubs, coaches and volunteers that make an invaluable contribution to participation and community engagement.
“Championed in recent years by the AAP, I am now delighted to announce the awards will be taken forward by our commercial partners, the Evening Express, who will oversee the organisation and delivery of future editions of this important and highly valued event.
“I know the committed team at the Evening Express will do a fantastic job, continuing to shine a light on the sporting achievements at the heart of our city. From grassroots and community-driven sporting achievements, to those who progress to represent the north-east with pride on the national and international stage, all inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
“We look forward to working closely with them to promote another exciting event in 2019.”
Nominations for this year’s awards are now open and close on Sunday August 4.
The categories and criteria for each section are listed to the right.
One big difference in the categories this year is the removal of the Disability and Junior Disability Sports Achiever of the Year sections.
Just like in 2017, when the separate Male and Female Sports Achiever of the Year prizes were combined, the judges have made this decision to promote inclusivity within sport.
Athletes’ will rightly be judged on levels of success within their own discipline, regardless of whether it is able-bodied or para competition.
Another difference is the separation of Coach of the Year into Community/Participation and Performance sections.
The aim of this is to give the judges the chance to recognise the people who have helped athletes achieve glory in elite competition, without ignoring those grassroots coaches – often volunteers – who dedicate their time to providing sporting opportunities to the Granite City public, young and old.
To nominate an individual or club you think are deserving of one of Aberdeen’s Sports Awards, visit www.aberdeenssportsawards.co.uk
An Aberdeen primary school has launched a fundraising drive to help kids living in poverty.
Staff at Kittybrewster School hope to raise cash to open up a sports clothes store for children.
The aim is to raise enough money to help children whose parents cannot afford sports gear.
The Kitty Kids Kits initiative was dreamed up by Jo Bell, the Active Schools co-ordinator at Kittybrewster.
She hopes to provide children with trainers, shorts and other sports clothing, in an effort to ‘remove the barriers to physical activity’.
Acting head teacher Ross Watson said:
“Our Active Schools co-ordinator Jo Bell is raising money for this.
“Jo is a valued member of staff at Kittybrewster – her commitment to the school community is evident through her desire to raise funds to support children who attend the school. Kitty Kids Kits is in addition to a range of initiatives at Kittybrewster to poverty-proof and close the poverty-related attainment gap.”
Jo has set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money which has already pulled in more than £1,000 of generous donations from members of the public.
Jo said:
“Kittybrewster Primary School is creating a Kitty Kids Kits sports equipment store to remove barriers to children’s participation in physical activity and sport.
“The store will provide free trainers, T-shirts, shorts and more specific kit where necessary.
“Participation in physical activity is crucial in the development of happy and healthy young people.
“It improves health and wellbeing outcomes, teaches valuable life skills and encourages social skills.
“International research suggests that enhanced health and wellbeing contributes significantly to improved school attainment.
“Therefore, the benefits are not limited to the games hall.
“All donations will go to the school and be used to purchase Kitty Kids Kits available to any child that requires it for school or extra-curricular activities.”
A popular sporting festival designed to get older adults active got off to a flying start this Wednesday.
Now in it’s 9th year, Aberdeen’s Golden Games which is delivered by the Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP), launched it’s nine day programme of events with a Multi Activity Day at Aberdeen Sports Village.
The Multi Activity Day gave participants the platform to to try their hand at a wide variety of sports, games and activities which aimed to provide a small taster of what to expect from the diverse programming offered throughout the wider Golden Games festival.
Activities on the day included walking hockey, touch rugby, pilates as well as a walking challenge as part of the Big Fit Walk, where participants, chose the distance and took off in the overcast weather for a brisk stroll.
Alistair Robertson, spokesman for the Active Aberdeen Partnership, said:
“On behalf of the Active Aberdeen Partnership, I would like to thank each and every one of the ambassadors and organisations who support the initiative, for their part in bringing the citywide games to life.
“The Golden Games continues to grow year on year and the opening event never fails to showcase the eagerness amongst the older adult community to get out and try something new.
“This year’s programme is as varied as ever and we really cannot wait to see where it goes next.”
Sport Aberdeen has launched a new volunteer recognition initiative, to show appreciation to its volunteers and the dedication that they show to the organisation.
Volunteers are the backbone of Sport Aberdeen and the organisation is honoured to have hundreds of amazing volunteers who generously share their time, skills and experience to help Sport Aberdeen thrive in creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives.
The new Volunteer of the Month initiative – launched in conjunction with National Volunteer Week – will recognise an individual, team or group of volunteers each month, who have done something special or have really gone the extra mile.
Nickie Scorgie, Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development at Sport Aberdeen, is delighted to be introducing this initiative, stating:
“We actively recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements. The ‘Volunteer of the Month’ scheme will allow us to celebrate volunteer successes, recognise outstanding contributions and those who go that bit extra”
Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, said:
“I simply cannot overstate the importance volunteers play in allowing Sport Aberdeen to achieve it’s aim of creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives.
“These volunteers are very often the people who are working directly within the communities in which we operate.
“We have found that our Employee of the Month initiative has been a great way to build moral and recognise the efforts of our staff and it’s only right that this same attention is given to our hard-working team of volunteers.”
For more information or to nominate a Sport Aberdeen volunteer, please visit: Volunteer of the Month Initiative