Sport Aberdeen, the city’s award winning community leisure trust, has launched the countdown to Christmas with the announcement that tickets are now on sale for their 2018 festive showcase.
‘A Magical Christmas on Ice’ will see the Linx Ice Arena transformed into a celebration of Christmas with characters coming together on Saturday 8 December.
The annual Christmas Ice Show will welcome back talented skaters from Sport Aberdeen’s Learn to Skate programme, members of local skating clubs and individual skaters from the National Ice Skating Association (NISA), to pull together a fun filled show packed with everyone’s favourite songs and stories inspired by the festive season.
David Selkirk, Director of Community Leisure Operations at Sport Aberdeen, said:
“Our homegrown cast and their dedicated coaches have been working hard to ensure a fantastic show this Christmas.
“The 2018 Christmas Ice Show is set to be a festive adventure for the whole family to enjoy, bringing together all of our favourite festive characters for ‘A Magical Christmas on Ice’.”
Sport Aberdeen will also be gifting 120 tickets to local children’s homes, looked after children and local schools, to ensure the festive spirit is extended across the city.
Sport Aberdeen is saddened to hear of the death of Adam Smith of Aberdeen Amateur Boxing Club.
Adam received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Aberdeen’s Sports Awards for his many years of dedication to boxing in the City and the North East. Adam was also inducted into the Aberdeen Hall of Fame at Aberdeen Sports Village in November 2016.
Keen to develop the boxing club at Cummings Park Community Centre, Adam was for many years closely involved in sport development networks.
Bernie Reid, Sports Development Officer with Sport Aberdeen, said:
“I first worked with Adam in 2009. Always a perfect gentleman, he had both a tireless commitment to the Cummings Park club and a fundamental belief in the value of sport to inspire the young people of Northfield”.
Adam will be sorely missed throughout the boxing community, but his son, Leroy Smith continues the great work in the community served by the club.
Our thoughts are with Leroy and the all the family at this sad time.
Local rhythmic gymnast Louise Christie, was awarded a £500 grant from the Chris Anderson Fund earlier this year and is already beginning to see the benefits of her funding.
The Chris Anderson Fund, established in 1988, is administered by the Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP) and exists to assist the development of talent in young people aged 8 to 18 who live in the Grampian Region.
The 18 year old first began rhythmic gymnastics at the age of five and has since trained at Sport Aberdeen’s Beacon Sports Centre.
Louise’s successful grant application has allowed her to fund a trip to compete in Bulgaria where she finished 4th overall. It also enabled her to attend a 7 day training camp in Norway where she was coached by retired Olympic rhythmic gymnasts and also pay for essential physiotherapy sessions to help with her overloaded calf muscles.
On top of this, Louise finished 3rd and 6th at the British Individuals tournament, 2nd overall at the National Grades finals in Stoke and defended her title as Scottish Senior Champion for the 2nd year in a row.
Speaking about the funding, Louise said:
“The grant has benefited me by supporting the opportunities that have arisen over the recent months.
“It enabled me to subsidise my costs to Bulgaria and Norway for a training camp that was an amazing experience. With the sport being self-funded there is a high cost to being successful.
“More competitions bring greater experience and with extra funding I can take another step nearer my goals.”
Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Healthy and Active Communities, commented:
“The Active Aberdeen Partnership recognises that participation in sport and physical activity is driven by a whole host of talented individuals and groups. Louise’s achievements prior to and following receiving this grant are evidence of the hard work and determination to succeed that is key when selecting who receives this support.”
Andrew Lindsay, three time Paralympic 100m Backstroke medallist, was inducted into the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame at the Scottish Swimming Awards on the 29 September.
The awards which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, acted as a double celebration of the achievements made by Scottish competitors in Aquatics events and also welcomed new athletes into the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame.
Andrew was unbeaten for over 10 years on the international stage in his favoured S7 100m backstroke event between 1997-2007. He competed at four Paralympic games between 1996 and 2008 winning three medals, two of which were gold. Three out of the four medals won at IPC World Championships between 1998 and 2006 were also gold while his record at European Championships between 1996 and 2008 is exceptional; winning ten medals including five gold. A stalwart of the British team during this time, Andrew mentored a number of up and coming athletes including Jonathan Fox.
The swimmer who now works for Sport Aberdeen, spoke of his shock upon finding out about his induction this September:
“I was sitting reading through my emails late one Tuesday night when I read the message saying I was to be inducted and I had absolutely no inkling that this was on the cards. I was shocked.
“Apparently I was a good fit for the Hall of Fame in that I am a retired, multi-medallist who has competed at several Paralympics and European Championships.”
Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Community Leisure Operations, David Selkirk said:
“It’s fantastic that such inspirational and talented athletes work with us at Sport Aberdeen. Andrew’s achievements in his field speak for themselves and his inclusion in the Swimming Hall of Fame is recognition of this.
“Sport Aberdeen aims to create opportunities, inspire people and change lives and it’s safe to say that Andrew has and will continue to inspire Scottish Paralympic swimmers for many years to come.”
Andrew is keen to stay involved within the sport by imparting his years of knowledge onto up and coming swimmers as a coach, ideally within Sport Aberdeen.
Graeme Marchbank, Chair of Scottish Swimming, thanked all involved in the aquatic community for a successful year:
“The Scottish Swimming Awards once again acknowledge the outstanding successes achieved throughout the aquatics field from athletes and coaches to volunteers and local authorities, all of whom play an important role in leading our sport – a sport for all, a sport for life.
“Scottish Swimming has enjoyed great success over the past 12 months and once again we are delighted that there was so much to celebrate, and we look forward to 2019.”
Sport Aberdeen, the city’s largest community leisure trust, and Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), have announced that entries for the 2019 BHGE 10K Running Festival will open today, Wednesday 17 October.
The race which is organised by Sport Aberdeen in partnership with BHGE will take place on Sunday 5 May 2019.
Event organisers are looking forward to welcoming runners and spectators from far and wide as they continue to build on past successes for the 32nd year running.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Healthy and Active Lifestyle Keith Gerrard said:
“It’s always an exciting time when we open the entries for the coming year’s race. We look forward to the BHGE 10K running festival providing runners new and old with a race to remember and giving charities the opportunity to raise money for very worthwhile local causes. We are very much looking forward to receiving the first entries for 2019’s event.
“Each year we are overwhelmed by the support given to the event from the community. The festival is an important part of Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.”
Make Aberdeen’s longest running road race your latest challenge and sign up for BHGE 10K 2019 here.
On Saturday 6 October a team of nearly 30 keen Sport Aberdeen staff and Board Members, led by Chairman Colin Taylor, descended on Sheddocksley Sports Centre paintbrushes in hand, ready to ‘spruce up’ the building ahead of the centre’s relaunch in late October.
The efforts concentrated on repainting external walls of the centre and various landscaping works, supported by Sport Aberdeen’s grounds maintenance company, idverde.
Speaking about the clean up day Sport Aberdeen’s Managing Director, Alistair Robertson said:
“Thanks to everyone who volunteered to work at Sheddocksley Sports Centre at the weekend. The amount of work done was fantastic and we achieved most of the tasks set for, it was a highly successful day.
“We have made a very significant impact but of equal importance, is the fact that the event demonstrated the power of team work and having a good cause to focus on. It was great to see our staff and the Board trustees working so well together.
“I am indebted to everyone who took part and was very proud at what has been done, as the pictures will testify.”
The work that has taken place over the summer has extended the fitness gym, more than doubling the space available; improving the reception space to incorporate a comfortable seating area; and transformation of the existing squash courts into dedicated exercise studios.
In addition to the clean-up works, the exterior of Sheddocksley Sports Centre has also been given a prominent makeover courtesy of a local community arts project run by Mary Butterworth and Jon Reid from their Kekun Studio
The artists who have previously had involvement in Aberdeen’s Nu Art and Painted Doors projects held walk in sessions at the centre in September in order to give the local community a chance to pass on suggestions for shapes and colours to use in the design and to let them know what the centre means to them.
Local sporting talents have been recognised at Aberdeen’s Sports Awards 2018.
Now in their 25th year, the awards organised by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, recognised the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers, clubs and community projects who encourage individuals to be active in Aberdeen.
More than 390 people attended the event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday 4 October, which saw 17 awards presented and over £2,500 raised for beneficiary ClubSport Aberdeen, a new and vibrant body that provides a unified voice for sports clubs in Aberdeen.
Gymnastics Coach, Sue Morgan won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her 25 years of dedication and contribution to the Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics Club.
Zoey Clark triumphed in the Adult Sports Achiever of the Year category for her astounding achievements in the past athletics season, while Connor Morrison scooped the Neil Fachie Disability Sports Achiever of the Year Award for his dedication to and achievements in Para Swimming.
Commenting on the standard of award entries, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman, Tony Dawson said:
“The Active Aberdeen Partnership has overseen a real step change in Aberdeen’s Sports Awards and last night was, once again, a very memorable occasion, recognising and rewarding the rich vein of sporting talent that is nurtured here in the City.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors, without whom the event just wouldn’t be possible and most importantly, to all of the finalists and to those who nominated them. We wish them all continued success in their sporting careers and hope that our support perhaps played some small part in that journey.
“It was also a pleasure to present a special award to our host, Dave Macdermid, to recognise his outstanding commitment to Aberdeen’s Sports Awards over the past 25 years.”
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and guest speakers, fourteen year old Aimee Work, Active Girls Committee Chairperson and Robert Wicks, Commercial Director at Aberdeen Football Club.
Other awards included the Inspiration Award which was awarded to Dean Stott, the Community Sports Project of the Year which was won by Food and Fun and Adult Coach of the Year which was awarded to Eddie McKenna.
The winners in the 17 categories were as follows:
Lifetime Achievement
Sue Morgan
Inspiration Award
Dean Stott
Adult Sports Achiever of the Year
Zoey Clark
Junior Sports Achiever of the Year
Kirsty Muir
Student Sports Achiever of the Year
Kim Beattie
Disability Sports Achiever of the Year
Conner Morrison
Disability Junior Sports Achiever of the Year
Toni Shaw
Adult Volunteer of the Year
Ronnie Kain
Junior Volunteer of the Year
Rebekah Singer
Adult Coach of the Year
Eddie McKenna
Junior Coach of the Year
Matthew Scott
Club of the Year
Grampian Flyers Basketball Club
Team Performance of the Year
Aberdeen Sports Village Table Tennis Academy
Community Sports Project of the Year
Food and Fun
Primary School of the Year
Seaton Primary School
Secondary School of the Year
Bridge of Don Academy
Community Partner of the Year – Business
John Clark Motor Group
From 1 October 2018 there will be some changes to the fees and charges at our sports centres, leisure facilities and swimming pools.
These changes are predominately on pay and play activity and excludes our memberships, coached programmes, golf, grass pitches and 3G pitch prices. For more information, please contact the management teams at local venues.
Local heating and ventilation business, Heat Connection has come on board as a first time sponsor for Aberdeen’s Sports Awards 2018. The business will be the event’s Room Decoration sponsor.
Heat Connection’s Director, Steve Brands said:
“Heat Connection appreciate the dedication to training and the commitment required to achieve individual and group sporting goals.
“The Aberdeen Sports Awards are a fantastic opportunity to help promote and encourage sports in the Granite City.”
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards celebrates the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs in encouraging individuals to be active.
The ceremony, hosted by the Active Aberdeen Partnership, will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre on Thursday 4 October with 17 award categories being determined on the night
Commenting on the awards, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman Tony Dawson said:
“It is brilliant that Heat Connection have come on board as a new sponsor, joining a host of local organisations who are backing and celebrating local sporting achievements.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognise the clear culture of sporting excellence and outstanding performance that Aberdeen has fostered.”
Beacon Sports Centre is the latest facility operated by community leisure provider Sport Aberdeen to benefit from improvements to modernise its venues and provide customers with an all-encompassing state-of-the-art health and wellness experience.
The work, which was completed at the end of August 2018 saw £81,000 worth of capital investment transforming the existing health and fitness offering for the local community as we encourage people to ‘get more, get active’.
David Selkirk, Director of Community Leisure Operations, said:
“We are delighted with the recent investment in the Beacon Sports Centre. With Bucksburn Pool also on the doorstep, the area will now benefit from high quality health and fitness equipment and a wide range of inspiring programme and activity offers. There has never been a better time to get active in Aberdeen”.
The improvements have seen the existing gym benefit from a refit and mix of new Pulse Fitness cardio and resistance equipment and a dedicated strength and conditioning suite, complete with free weights, power sled and lifting platform.
New and long-term members of the centre alike are delighted with the improvements as Beacon Sports Centre member, Chloe Gray, said:
“I have been a member for a few years, but I have been using my membership almost daily since a year past May. I have noticed a huge difference to the Beacon, for example, in the gym there is more variety of equipment and more equipment in general.
“The equipment itself, both cardio and strengthening, have improved drastically as before the resistance on some of the machinery was not challenging me, whereas now I feel like I am gaining so much more on the equipment and even in a shorter space of time.
“I would and have already recommended friends/family to join Sport Aberdeen just to even gain use of the Beacon gym as I find it very beneficial to my fitness routine.”