Sport Aberdeen and Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE) struck gold as they took home the Corporate Partnership of the Year award at the first Celebrate Aberdeen Awards, held at the AECC on Saturday 8 September.
The award recognises the ongoing partnership between the two companies, which was formed in 2010 when Sport Aberdeen took over the annual City of Aberdeen 10K, now the BHGE 10K Running Festival.
The partnership benefits Sport Aberdeen through BHGE’s provision of support, not only as the title sponsor – without which the event could not be delivered – but also through adding value to the organising committee, providing a large number of volunteers who carry out key tasks and acting as champions amongst their own workforce encouraging race entries and raising the profile of the corporate challenge.
Sport Aberdeen also benefit from BHGE’s specialist knowledge and skills sets from working globally in a corporate culture, which is very different to Sport Aberdeen’s usual working environment as a third sector company.
Both companies believe it is important to support the communities in which we are present, demonstrated through our long standing commitment to the BHGE 10K Running Festival which the partnership has developed, grown and established as one of the top community events in Aberdeen
Jill Franks, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Performance and Planning, said:
“We are delighted that our partnership with BHGE has been recognised at this year’s Celebrate Aberdeen Awards. It certainly has us looking forward to working on improving on this year’s successes in 2019.
“Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity regardless of barriers such as age, cost, ability and gender is reflected directly in an event such as the BHGE 10K Running Festival.”
The partnership has evolved over the years and BHGE are also a sponsor and supporter of Aberdeen’s Sports Awards, another not for profit event which benefits the local community and shines a light on the sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs.
In addition, the partnership further raises the profile of Sport Aberdeen internally at BHGE and externally with other Oil and Gas companies and the wider Aberdeen business sector, enabling Sport Aberdeen to promote its Active Workforce product to a wider business community.
A spokesperson for BHGE said:
“We are proud to support Sport Aberdeen in the wonderful work they do to make sport and physical activity accessible to everyone in our local community. It is wonderful to be recognised for the achievements both companies have made through our partnership.”
The Active Girls Committee (AGC), facilitated by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team has been awarded £7,100 after a successful grant application to the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund.
AGC’s aim is to get more girls more active. The committee comprises of girls from each academy across the city who endeavour to inspire their peers and increase the number of girls taking part in regular sport and physical activity.
The funding will allow the AGC to increase the size and scope of their project across the city.
Active Schools Coordinator, Nicole Gordon said:
“It is fantastic that our Active Girls Committee have successfully received this award from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund.
“The Active Girls Committee leaders are already working very hard throughout Aberdeen City to encourage more girls and young women to get involved in sport and physical activity.
“This money will allow them to expand their great work. The group are fantastic role models and this year will continue their focus on breaking down barriers currently stopping many young girls from participating in sport.”
The AGC have been planning various projects which will focus on increasing participation in sport and physical activity for young girls, with a strong emphasis on those from P7 to S2 age; a crucial transition period from primary to secondary school which affects individuals physically and socially.
Physical activity levels decline during this time for various reasons such as changes in routine, lack of confidence or social exclusion. The project therefore aims to break down these barriers for girls and offers a fun and safe environment to get active.
The activities will target girls with a focus on those aged 11-14 years. By utilising Active Girls Committee Leaders as role models, they encourage the participation of girls in new sports or physical activities and games. The AGC will make decisions and work collectively with other girls to increase participation whilst breaking down social, emotional and mental barriers.
The Young People National Lottery Fund is designed to inspire young people to lead active lives and encourage positive mental health.
The Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund and Sport Scotland along with Spirit of 2012 Trust created the fund to award grants for heritage, community and sports projects focusing on young people in Scotland.
Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Seona Reid, said:
“I am delighted that Sport Aberdeen’s Active Girls Committee has been successful in securing an award from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund.
“This funding will help young people to make a positive change in their lives and I wish Sport Aberdeen every success as it works to improve young people’s health and wellbeing in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Young People.”
Today, 20 August 2018, Beth Tweddle MBE, Olympic, World and European medallist in Women’s artistic gymnastics along with Colin G. Taylor, Chair of Sport Aberdeen, officially opened the Alex Collie Gymnastics Performance Centre, a dedicated and specialist gymnastics centre, catering to everyone from young children to seasoned gymnasts.
Beth spoke to the assembled audience and stressed the importance of high quality facilities, expert and committed coaches but also the need for supportive parents to help any young gymnast succeed.
The audience were treated to 4 solo floor routines by City of Aberdeen Gymnastics Club (COAG) gymnasts: Innes Reid, aged 16; Lexi Walker, aged 11; Mackenzie Reid, aged 11 and Kirsty Fowler, aged 14.
The Centre which is managed and operated by Sport Aberdeen, underwent significant refurbishment in January 2018 after funding was secured by Sport Aberdeen and COAG to purchase new men and women’s GYMNOVA apparatus comprising of new high bars, rings, asymmetric bars, beams and floor pads, to allow for a fully functioning permanent gymnastics set up.
Sport Aberdeen’s Gymnastics Pathways Coordinator, Aynsley Henderson said:
“It is an exciting time for Gymnastics in Aberdeen, especially having Beth Tweddle with us today to help celebrate.
“Gymnastics is already making a great impact within the City and we are looking forward to helping it develop to its full potential.
“As well as delivering our Sport Aberdeen programme, we work with clubs to create a pathway for gymnasts across the city. Recreational or elite level, we believe gymnastics can be enjoyed by everyone.
“Gymnastics is an inclusive sport with its diverse disciplines of; Men’s and Woman’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Disability and many more! I am looking forward to seeing the future of gymnastics in Aberdeen.”
The day also marked the launch of a Gymnastics Aberdeen and it’s new city-wide, 40-week gymnastics programme which has facilitated over 140 new spaces for children interested in getting involved in gymnastics across the city.
This means there are now over 1,000 spaces city wide in Kinder Gym and Preschool gymnastics for children as young as 18 months old up to primary 1 age. Gymnastics Aberdeen also provide Recreational Gymnastics and Trampoline for school aged children.
Gymnastics Scotland’s Head of Development, Steve Paige said:
“Scottish Gymnastics congratulates everyone involved in the Alex Collie Centre. It is great to see the work of Sport Aberdeen and partners come to fruition, bringing about the opening of another dedicated gymnastics facility.
“Having the Alex Collie Centre will directly benefit the sport in the city by supporting an increased gymnastics programme allowing gymnasts to increase their training and enjoy more time in the gym.”
Local Commonwealth Games gymnast Izzy Tolometti, who has previously trained at Alex Collie was also in attendance, hosting a Q&A session and giving a speech on the importance of the centre for local gymnastics.
Beth Tweddle closed out the event by hosting a workshop with a selection of COAG coaches and gymnasts.
Aberdeen Tennis Centre (formerly Westburn Tennis Centre) is due to be formally opened to the public on Thursday 2 August 2018.
The quarter of a million pound refurbishment has facilitated a complete reconfiguration and resurfacing of the 4 outdoor courts and the installation of state of the art LED lighting and fencing, bringing them up to the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) highest standard and therefore only non-private venue in the North East of Scotland suitable for high profile competitions.
As well as investment from Sport Aberdeen – who own, run and manage the centre – additional funding has also come from Tennis Scotland and sportscotland.
Colin Taylor, Chairman of Sport Aberdeen said:
“The finished high specification courts will help Aberdeen Tennis Centre offer top quality tennis opportunities unique in the North East, accommodating everything from come and try sessions, for people new to tennis, right through to prestigious tournaments attracting the very best in Scotland; a centre for the whole community.
Aberdeen Tennis Centre is the home of the Aberdeen Tennis Academy. As the only non-private venue in the city with both indoor and outdoor tennis courts it is the focal point for tennis in region and the ideal place to play tennis at all levels”
Councillor Jenny Laing, Tennis Scotland Chairman, Scott Martin and Tennis Scotland Chief Executive Blane Dodds will be in attendance to cut the ribbon at the reopening event on the Thursday 2 August 2018.
A selection of top local district players and juniors will take part in an exhibition session whilst Aberdeen Tennis Academy summer camps will have the opportunity to put the new facilities through their paces for the first time.
Councillor Jenny Laing, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council said:
“The Council is proud to support Sport Aberdeen in the significant investment being made in facilities throughout the city.
“The Aberdeen Tennis Centre project is a real boost to competitive and recreational players, with the facilities always well used.
“First class facilities are an important part of the wider aims around health and wellbeing in Aberdeen, with a focus on encouraging active lifestyles that will bring lasting social and health benefits. We will continue to work in partnership with Sport Aberdeen to meet those goals.”
Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland said:
“We are delighted that Tennis Scotland was able to help bring this facility to fruition. However this facility and investment reinforces the need for strong quality partners on the ground delivering key facilities to the community. We are delighted that we are working with Sport Aberdeen and we will continue to work with the Trust along with local clubs and partners to grow and develop tennis in the area for all to benefit.”
From 1 August 2018, Sport Aberdeen will officially use the new telephone number 01224 507744 as our main switchboard number, replacing the old 0845 601 3611 telephone number. All venue and programme specific telephone numbers remain unchanged.
Anyone dialling the 0845 telephone number for Sport Aberdeen after 1 August 2018, will hear a recorded message asking them to redial the new 01224 507744 telephone number. This message service will run for one month to support the transition from the old 0845 telephone number to the new 01224 507744 telephone number.
Unlike 0845 telephone numbers, 01224 numbers are charged at standard, local landline rates and are included in most consumer call packages. This will mean a lower call cost or no call cost for Sport Aberdeen customers.
The switch also complies with Cabinet Office and Scottish Government directives that public sector organisations must have a contact number that is included in consumer call packages and must cost no more than a local call.
The money saved from changing from a 0845 telephone number to a 01224 telephone number will be invested back into Sport Aberdeen facilities and programmes.
Taking this opportunity, we would kindly ask you to update your contact information and thank you for the support that you have given Sport Aberdeen over the years.
We look forward to serving you as usual with our new telephone number.
Members of Sport Aberdeen’s board of directors have marked National Reserves Day by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Covenant honours an agreement between the Armed Forces and Sport Aberdeen that ensures servicemen and women and their families will not be left disadvantaged because of their service.
Sport Aberdeen will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by:
- Promoting the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation
- Seeking to support the employment of veterans young and old and working with the Career Transition Partnership [CTP], in order to establish a tailored employment pathway for Service Leavers;
- Striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners
- Endeavouring to offer a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment
- Seeking to support our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces, including by accommodating their training and deployment where possible
- Offering support to our local cadet units, either in our local community or in local schools, where possible;
- Aiming to actively participate in Armed Forces Day
On the significance of the signing Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, Alistair Robertson said:
“It is with a great sense of pride that we enter into this partnership. Our charity is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives and aim for this to be reflected in our continued efforts to show solidarity with servicemen and women and their families”.
Chairman, Colin Taylor signed the Covenant at Broadfold House with Lt Colonel Matthew Sheldrick, 51 [Highland] 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, Lt Colonel Geraint M Davies, Alistair Robertson, Managing Director, Alan Forsyth, Chair of HR & OD Committee and Head of HR & OD, Nickie Scorgie.
After the signing Lt Colonel Matthew Sheldrick said:
“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
“I am delighted to be signing this Covenant with Sport Aberdeen in recognition of the support they provide to our Armed Forces personnel and their family members”.
Sport Aberdeen is pleased to announce that it will be undertaking a significant programme of capital investment at the MacKenzie Championship Course at Hazlehead Park, the only public Championship course in the North East of Scotland.
Sport Aberdeen, which manages the course on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, is focusing on addressing underlying drainage and associated water logging issues to key holes and areas of the course, as identified by an independent drainage consultation.
Improvement work will commence on 16 July 2018 and is expected to take around 10 weeks. There will be no public access to the course until the beginning of the new golf season in April 2019. This will allow ground repairs and fine turf management to be fully effective.
Colin Taylor, Chairman of Sport Aberdeen said:
“The capital works represent a significant investment by Sport Aberdeen to enhance the playability and conditioning of the course, which will reduce days lost as a result of bad weather.
“We fully appreciate the inconvenience that this improvement work will cause, but it is important that we protect the investment we are making and allow the ground in the affected areas to recover and for new growth to bed in.
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Hazlehead Golf Club on this project to maintain the integrity of this iconic golf course, which will strengthen our golf offering and signify our commitment to investing in the sport and leisure facilities within the city”.
Sport Aberdeen have got off to a flying start this awards season, winning the Community Award at the 10th annual TREND – Life with Style Awards on 14 June.
The Life with Style Awards has been described as being all about excellence in the areas that contribute to the quality of life people enjoy in the North-East, and it’s clear to see that Sport Aberdeen’s work fits that criteria perfectly.
The award recognised Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity regardless of barriers such as age, cost, ability and gender.
Sport Aberdeen’s involvement in a diverse range of initiatives designed to increase participation across all ages and abilities includes programmes such as Active Schools, a partnership with sportscotland, which gets children involved in extra-curricular school sport; Active Ageing – which aims to help older adults stay active and the partnership with Me Too! who run relaxed skating and swimming sessions for people with additional support needs at the Beach Leisure Centre and Linx Ice Arena.
This success continued into the following week when Get Active @ Jesmond was named Scottish ‘Centre of the Year’ at Active Uprising Awards 2018. This is a flagship award scheme and celebrates facilities which live and breathe excellent customer service with the aim of getting more people more active more often.
Get active @ Jesmond is Sport Aberdeen’s most recently modernised sports centre, boasting a state of the art gym with over 60 work stations, comprehensive fitness class programme, sports hall and dedicated immersive spin studio.
Keith Gerrard Director of Operations and Asset Development at Sport Aberdeen said:
“I am delighted that Sport Aberdeen’s work within the communities in which it operates is being recognised both on a local and national level.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. These awards are a great reminder that we continue to pursue that vision”
The Scottish Charity Awards also recognised Move More Aberdeen (MMA) – a partnership between Sport Aberdeen and Macmillan Cancer Support – which highly commended and received runner up in the Pioneering Project category. MMA was nominated for being at the forefront of working with people living with cancer and translating the evidence of the benefits of physical activity across the cancer pathway into practice.
Macmillan Support Assistant, Anna Bailey who attended the ceremony on behalf of Sport Aberdeen and Macmillan Cancer Support said:
“Although we did not win at the award it was still an honour to be a finalist, especially when there were so many amazing projects present, all working to improve the lives of people in Scotland”
People are being asked to think about how to keep safe around water this summer – whether on Aberdeen’s beach, it’s two rivers or other lochs and water sources.
Aberdeen Water Safety Group made the plea as its members from emergency and safety organisations gathered to highlight the issue on a beautiful sunny day at the city’s beach.
AWSG chairman Dan Price-Davies, who is a member of Aberdeen Surf Lifesaving Club, said:
“We’re all hoping for a lovely sunny summer especially with the school holidays fast approaching so we’re asking children and adults to think about being safe around water.
“Going swimming or paddling about in the sea or a river can be great fun but there’s some safety advice we’d like people to think about before they go, and also when they’re out beside water.
“Before people go, we’d ask them to look at weather conditions and tide times, and also to remember to take a mobile phone for emergencies, warm clothes for when you come out of the water, and sun cream as you can burn when it’s cloudy – even in Scotland.
“We’d ask people to look at the RNLI’s Respect The Water campaign at www.respectthewater.com which asks that when you fall into water, to fight your instinct to swim until the cold water shock passes, as cold water shock makes you gasp uncontrollably and breathe in water.
“The Respect The Water campaign asks you to pause, float on your back until you’re able to catch your breath, and it would be great if people had a look at the website which has lots of incredibly practical lifesaving advice.
“When you’re at the beach or rivers, look at your surroundings and take a mental note where you are in case you have to call the emergency services – there’s location codes on signs at the fencing beside the promenade at Aberdeen beach which are helpful for pinpointing an exact location.
“When you get to the beach, look out for submerged objects when you’re swimming such as rocks, and also don’t assume a sandbank will be there all day for you to walk out to and walk back from.
“Also take a note of the nearest lifebelt just in case and, above all, remember to phone 999 in an emergency.
“We want everyone to have a fun time and come and enjoy our beautiful nature resources we have in Aberdeen such as the gorgeous walks full of interesting nature along both the beach and the River Dee and River Don, and also we want everyone at the same time to have a safe summer.”
Young people with experience of the care system in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be given opportunities to become more creative and active thanks to a funding award of £150,000. The money comes from Scottish charity the Life Changes Trust.
Working in partnership, Aberdeen Foyer and Sport Aberdeen will use the funding to engage more care experienced young people in sports and creative activities.
The aim of the project is to develop the skill sets of the young people involved, to improve their confidence, their physical and mental wellbeing, their relationship skills and their long term quality of life. Participants in the project will be given opportunities to get involved in activities that matter to them, such as sport, music, drama, art and media.
Sport Aberdeen’s Looked After Project will continue to use sport and physical activity as a vehicle to improve the lives of looked after children and young people. Current activities include skateboarding, boxing, horse riding, swimming lessons, ice skating, climbing, snowboarding, skiing and athletics.
Aberdeen Foyer will offer creative activities such as creative writing, painting, craft work, graffiti art, lino printing, hand casting, jewellery making and cooking.
Heather Coady, Director of the Trust’s Care Experienced Young People Programme said:
“Care experienced young people have often told us that they would love more opportunities to be active and have fun, developing their interests and trying out new things in areas such as music, art, sport and crafts. This project is great because it combines all of these things, and really does offer something for everyone. Care experienced young people don’t often have ready access to opportunities like these. Not only will they have to chance to take part in a range of activities that matter to them, they will also be able to make new friends, improve their self-esteem and be valued for their contributions and talents.”
Both Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen Foyer already have experience of working with young people who are care experienced, and have witnessed the positive effects when they try new things and experience positive opportunities that enable them to discover what they are good at, grow their confidence and feel good about themselves. The project will also encourage young people to understand and value their own aspirations, abilities, health and wellbeing.
Simon Starr, Director of Sport and Active Lifestyles at Sport Aberdeen said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this funding from the Life Changes Trust as it will enable the Looked After Project to work with more looked after children and young people. The partnership with Aberdeen Foyer is very exciting as it will allow both organisations to share experience and learn from each other. We’re already seeing the positive impact the Looked After Project is having, so it is great to be able to expand the project and help to increase the number of looked after children and young people achieving positive destinations.”
Kathleen Singer, Operations Manager at Aberdeen Foyer said:
“Aberdeen Foyer is absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Sport Aberdeen to engage with care experienced young people and make a difference together through the funding awarded by Life Changes Trust.
“Aberdeen Foyer is guided by the belief that it is a young person’s unique strengths and capabilities that will determine their journey and define who they are – not their limitations and our values align very well with those of Sport Aberdeen. Both organisations want to enable young people to feel ‘I can’.
“We are also aware of the health benefits (physical and mental) of engaging with positive activities and the improved resilience to deal with past and/or ongoing challenges in their lives. Young people will have space to be kind to themselves, to reflect on their journey and progress, recognise their strengths and talents. They will find lost and new aspirations and feel hopeful about their future.
“At Aberdeen Foyer we work with amazing young people who are vibrant and talented, and we can’t wait to see the outcomes of this project and to celebrate their achievements with the people that are important to them.”
Heather Coady added:
“Research shows that these activities can actually support a healthy lifestyle, and help to improve physical and mental wellbeing. We very much look forward to watching these young people flourish as they develop and grow as individuals.”
The funding award is one of fourteen made by the Life Changes Trust under the banner of ‘Creative and Active Lives’, with a funding total of £1.75 million.
Creative and Active lives awards aim to improve the physical and mental well-being of care experienced young people by increasing their participation in creative and physical activities. Each of the fourteen funded projects will focus on growing opportunities across a broad range of creative and active pursuits, so that care experienced young people can engage with their peers and increase their skills, self-esteem and social connections.
The Life Changes Trust was set up with a Big Lottery Fund endowment of £50 million to improve the lives of two key groups in Scotland: people affected by dementia and care experienced young people.