A dynamic new partnership has been established between two local charities Sport Aberdeen and The Archie Foundation – the official charity of Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH).
Recognising the fantastic contribution The Archie Foundation makes to supporting families of children receiving hospital treatment, Sport Aberdeen wanted to show its appreciation and help to make a difference.
As part of the new partnership, Sport Aberdeen will provide five free Fitness memberships for 12 months to users of the Archie Foundation, to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of families being supported by the charity.
The Fitness memberships will entitle users to access all Sport Aberdeen gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes throughout the city – with its new Get active @ Northfield venue in close proximity to RACH.
Sport Aberdeen will also provide free activity passes for The Archie Foundation to give to users of the Archie Family Centre and their family members. These will include gym passes as well as ice skating and swimming passes
Sarah Gray, Head of Marketing and Commercial Development at Sport Aberdeen, said: “The Archie Foundation does an exceptional job of supporting children and families going through difficult times.
“We are delighted that this new partnership allows us to give something back by breaking down barriers to sport and physical activity.
“We hope that these Fitness memberships will help to have a positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of Archie Foundation users, while the activity passes will also allow them to have a fun day out at the pool or ice rink.”
Cassie McGunnigle, Fundraising Manager at The Archie Foundation, said: “We are so grateful that our children and families will benefit from Sport Aberdeen’s facilities.
“There are a variety of factors as to why families may not access health and fitness facilities which could be cost related, not being familiar with the area if they have travelled for treatment, or simply because they are so occupied whilst in hospital that they just haven’t had the chance to consider it.
“Sport Aberdeen will bridge the gap for many of the children and families we support that are either looking to exercise, or simply have fun.”
Finalists for Aberdeen’s Sports Awards 2023 were announced at the end of last week, with the ceremony set to take place on Thursday 23 March at P&J Live.
The annual event celebrates the wealth of sporting triumphs, successes and contributions made by local athletes, clubs and volunteers.
Bill Loxton, Health and Wellness Adviser at Sport Aberdeen, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Personal Trainer/Fitness Coach category – a new accolade for this year to be decided by public vote.
An advocate for helping everyone achieve their individual fitness goals, Bill is a well-respected and admired instructor at Sport Aberdeen, with his friendly and optimistic nature making him popular with volunteers and class participants.
He teaches specialist classes as part of Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles Referral programme, supporting individuals living with long-term health conditions to use physical activity as a tool to improve their overall health.
Bill’s regular class programme includes:
- Stable & Able classes for those at risk of falling
- Parkinson’s Exercise classes
- Carers Exercise class
His contribution to the Parkinson’s Exercise programme was instrumental, working closely with Sport Aberdeen colleagues and the Parkinson’s UK, Parkinson’ Active project. 90% of participants in the programme felt their balance and coordination had improved and 80% reported an increase in self-confidence and positive mood.
Bill teaches more mainstream classes at Sport Aberdeen aimed at older adults and those living with long-term health conditions, giving people opportunities to move on from specialist programmes into regular exercise classes.
He offers classes at three intensity levels, ensuring there is something for everyone. Certain individuals supported by Bill are required to exercise at a lower level, but he can confidently help them to remain motivated by setting new goals and targets.
Bill also delivers gym inductions and designs fitness programmes for Sport Aberdeen members who have specialist health conditions and hosts classes outside when he can so participants can reap the benefits of the outdoors.
As a man who is passionate about giving back, Bill is a key volunteer and committee member at Mastrick Community Gym and has played a vital role in the venue reopening to members following the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, Bill hopes to explore potential boxing opportunities – known to benefit those with an early Parkinson’s diagnosis. This is testament to his commitment to current, evidence-based approaches and offering choices for people of all ages and abilities.
If you would like to cast your vote for Bill, then please do so by following the link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SA23-PT
Voting will close on Friday 10 February.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team has recently joined the Kit for All project – a sportscotland nationwide initiative.
Kit for All aims to reduce and remove any participation barriers in sport and physical activity by providing recycled and pre-loved sports kits to individuals and families who could benefit from the support.
Not only does this help to make sport and physical activity more accessible to more people, it benefits the environment through reduced waste.
Currently, the drop-off and collection points for pre-loved kit are Get active @ Northfield, Get active @ Alex Collie, Decathlon (Union Square), Goals Aberdeen (Inverdee Playing Fields), Strikers Indoor Football (Bridge of Don) and Ian Wilson Soccer Coaching events.
Children and families can access items through a member of the Active Schools team, the school community or by scanning the QR displayed on posters at drop-off points. Alternatively, individuals can go directly to a collection point and access the item(s) they require.
Active Schools works with every primary and secondary school in Aberdeen – aiming to encourage more children to be more active, more often. The team will encourage kit drives within schools and will help to facilitate kit delivery.
It is hoped that the Kit for All movement will continue to grow and be as accessible as possible to the children, young people and wider community of Aberdeen.
One young person was so delighted to receive a pair of football boots, commenting: “Mercurials… hell yeah!”
Another young person remarked: “I find it really good to have the boots and also new kit I can wear to PE. Now that I have this it means I can play football with my friends after school, at least when the weather is good!”
The Active Schools team is so appreciative of the donations received so far, particularly the generous contribution of an entire rail of sale clothing from Sports Direct gifted anonymously.
Individuals who have the capacity to donate are strongly encouraged to do so. Donations of sports clothing such as trainers, gym shoes, shorts, leggings, tracksuit bottoms, tops, jumpers and t-shirts would be very welcome. All items should be washed and labelled with size information and must be good quality.
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Kit for All project and a huge thanks to everyone who has donated so far.
“At Sport Aberdeen, we are passionate about helping more children and young people to get active and it is great that this project allows pre-loved items of sports clothing to be reused.”
Blair Bowie, Coach and Owner at Ian Wilson Soccer Coaching, said: “The Kit for All project has been a fantastic project for Ian Wilson Soccer Coaching to be a part of and aligns well with our values. We are pleased that the donations from our parents, children and coaches can play a small part in helping others to access sport and make sport more inclusive.”
Pauline Smith, Director at Strikers Indoor Football, said “Strikers is delighted to be able to participate in this worthwhile initiative and look to encourage all our indoor facility users to contribute their pre-loved kit in support of others in our community. We wish this ongoing venture continued success.”
To find out more about Kit for All, email kitforall@sportaberdeen.co.uk or visit Sport Aberdeen’s website here.
Retired 64-year-old Jenny Gillon from Inverurie started out on Sport Aberdeen’s Aquaphobia programme back in November 2022 with the intention of conquering her fear of water.
She tells us all about her experience on the programme below and why more people should get involved.
“My fear of water originally started from my school days – when we had to do swimming at school it quite literally was a teacher standing there with a rope and stick.
“I decided to apply to be on the Aquaphobia programme by completing a questionnaire and I started attending in November. I go to Zumba classes and had always wanted to try Aqua Zumba, but I was scared to go. Similarly, I was too scared to go in the water on holiday.
“When I was driving in from Inverurie to attend my first session at Get active @ Northfield, I had lots of thoughts going through my head and I was very nervous. However, I didn’t feel too scared when I was actually in the pool.
“I am definitely becoming more confident now and I notice I’m more relaxed in the water since my first session. I’ve been to five or six sessions altogether and the classes have been really good.
“The staff are brilliant; you are given lots of one-to-one guidance and they are so supportive. I’ve gotten to know Donna McKenzie-McNeill really well and I like that the classes are small.
“The steps at Get active @ Northfield are really good, it makes me feel comfortable that I can see them when I’m going into the pool.
“Now when I get flustered in the water, I know what to do. I’m not so panicky or feeling like I’m going to drown.
“I’ve gone from using two pool noodles to one, and I’ve managed to go from one side of the pool to the other whilst holding onto the side.
“I broke my hip, so I also have arthritis now, and I know that being in the pool helps me to move more and I’m not as sore afterwards.
“I know I’ve got a long way to go but I’m feeling determined. I don’t have an explicit goal, but I would like to swim when I’m on holiday this year and feel confident whilst doing so. I guess being able to swim by the end of the year would be my aim.”
If you feel inspired and would like to find out more and register your interest in the Aquaphobia programme, you can do so here.
A popular local event providing an afternoon of team sports, games and entertainment for adults and children with additional support needs – Aberdeen Funolympics – made its return on Sunday 13 November at the city’s Beach Ballroom venue.
The event took place from 1400 to 1900, welcoming around 200 individuals across 18 teams which were mixed with both adults and children (each team had a maximum of eight participants).
It was jointly sponsored by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association, with Dr David Cameron, Lord Provost of Aberdeen and his wife in attendance.
Ten sports stations were set up around the room, consisting of fun team challenges inspired by different sporting activities including indoor golf, racquet sports, curling and hockey.
The participating teams were from organisations including Inspire PTL, Create Aberdeen, Doric Dolphins, Len Ironside Centre and HANDSS group.
Staff from various hotels across the north eastvolunteered on the day, as well as Kim McRobbie and Andrinne Craig from Sport Aberdeen to help out at the stations and ensure everyone had fun.
Every participant received a medal and the team from Back Hilton Road were crowned the overall winners so collected a trophy.
After the games were finished, attendees enjoyed a disco and some refreshments to round up the day – generously supplied by Aberdeen City Council.
Special thanks must go to Bill Farquhar – one of the main event organisers, along with Frank Whittaker and Jim Byers from Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association as they are both pivotal in the event organisation and help to make the Funolympics a success each year.
Bill Farquhar said: “It was great to see so many teams taking part in the Funolympics after nearly 3 years being away due to COVID.
“The camaraderie and friendship between the teams was all to see in abundance and the games were competed in the true spirit of enjoyment and fun.
“Everyone was a winner on the day.”
Andrinne Craig, Healthy Communities Manager, said: “The Funolympics was a great day full of fun, joy and laughter – well done to everyone who participated in the event, their team managers and the volunteers who made the event possible.
“We are so grateful to Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association for its £1,000 to Sport Aberdeen. This will be used to arrange more fun sports activities for individuals with additional support needs and we look forward to doing this soon.”
Photo credits: Norman Adams, Aberdeen City Council
As the cost of living crisis becomes more prevalent, Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has established a Warm Spaces programme to do everything it can to support local households.
Working alongside other partner organisations in Aberdeen, the programme is designed to offer friendly public warm spaces for people to come together, share and use resources.
Sport Aberdeen is pleased to make a positive contribution by offering free hot showers during opening hours at five venues as per below:
- Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre
- Get active @ Peterculter
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Get active @ Beacon
Anyone is welcome to use the showers, there is no requirement to be a Sport Aberdeen member.
To view the full list of participating organisations and what is on offer, you can visit the Warm Spaces directory on ACC’s website here.
Active Schools Aberdeen has been working alongside Scottish Cycling’s Rock Up & Ride pilot programme (funded by Transport Scotland) and Deeside Thistle Cycling Club to enable more local children to participate in free, easy to access sessions and increase their cycling activity.
Rock Up & Ride is specifically aimed at children who would not otherwise have access to their own bike, giving them the chance to acquire new skills, techniques and confidence for cycling in an inclusive environment – it has been delivered at eight pilot sites across Scotland.
The Aberdeen City schools involved in the pilot programme were Westpark, Bramble Brae and Heathryburn, as well as 10 children from Aberdeen City Council’s Virtual School.
32 children from primaries 5, 6 and 7 participated in four ‘Learn to ride and look after your bike’ sessions, delivered by Deeside Thistle Cycling Club at Sport Aberdeen’s Northfield 3G pitch from 1500 to 1700 on 11 November, 25 November, 2 December and 9 December.
At the end of the fourth session, the children were each given a fully-funded, brand new bike to take home along with accessories including a helmet, lock, lights and gloves, and bike maintenance support.
The children will be able to use their bikes for active travel such as cycling to school, the shops or other short journeys, and experience the independence that cycling provides.
Michael Devine, Rock Up and Ride Coordinator at Scottish Cycling, said: “The Rock Up and Ride programme has been extremely successful in providing young people with the opportunity to be coached by our fantastic club coaches to help them develop a real love of cycling.
“It’s been a pleasure to provide these brand-new bikes to the young people of Aberdeen who will hopefully push on and participate in the sport for years to come as well as using their bike as a means to commute.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to both the Aberdeen Active Schools team and Deeside Thistle for all their hard work in organising and putting on the sessions. Hopefully this is the start of many more Rock Up and Ride sessions to take place in Aberdeen.”
Kathleen Fraser, Deeside Thistle Cycling Club Coach, said: “It has been extremely rewarding as a coach to help children learn to ride a bike and develop their cycling skills over a 4-week block of lessons.
“The children have grown in confidence and have been an absolute delight to coach, demonstrating enthusiasm and determination to learn a new skill. We know that they will enjoy riding with their friends and continue to have fun on bikes.”
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Rock Up & Ride pilot programme – it is incredible that 32 children in Aberdeen have received their own free bike to use and maintain.
“It’s great to be working in partnership with Deeside Thistle Cycling Club and Scottish Cycling on this programme. I hope the children continue to enjoy cycling, reap the positive impacts that it brings and have lots of fun whilst riding!”
The first event of the 2023 North East Scotland Indoor Championships took place at Sport Aberdeen’s Aberdeen Tennis Centre from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 January, welcoming some high-level players from across Scotland.
Having started in 2008, the popular grade 3 open tournament has been running for 15 years and is organised by The North East of Scotland Lawn Tennis Association (NESLTA) and Tennis Scotland, with Vikki Paterson as the referee.
Sport Aberdeen is delighted to continue its support for the event, with its chairman Tony Dawson in attendance to present the trophies at the final on Sunday 8 January.
2019 tournament champion Bruce Strachan (Rubislaw Tennis Club) scooped the trophy and secured the men’s singles title after defeating his opponent Jed Alexander (University of Stirling) 6-3, 6-1.
Sorcha Caves of Newlands Tennis Club took victory against opponent Zoe Moffat (Giffnock Tennis Club) who had to retire in the second set due to a shoulder injury. Caves beat Moffat 3-6, 4-0 ret.
Tennis Scotland’s 14+ National Pathway Coach said: “It was great to see such a high-level event so early in the year. The TS Open Tour is a key part of player development for players over the age of 14 in Scotland. The North East of Scotland Open Championships is the first TS Open Tour Leader board Event of 2023.
“More details about the TS Open Tour can be found on the Tennis Scotland website or just search for ‘TS Open Tour’. We are looking forward to a high-quality tour this year and look forward to seeing some great tennis being played.”
Sport Aberdeen’s chairman, Tony Dawson, said:“It was fantastic to be at Aberdeen Tennis Centre on Sunday as a spectator and to present the trophies to club players Bruce, Jed, Zoe and Sorcha.
“It was an enjoyable experience to watch quality tennis matches whilst having the chance network with members of the tennis community.
“It is important that we raise the standard of competition in Scotland and provide regular local opportunities for players to compete – well done to the organisers.”
Andrew Fyfe, NESLTA President, said: “Thanks to all the competitors for making the event such a success, it really has got the year off to a really positive start. Also, a big thanks to our referee Vikki Paterson and the officials on duty, for ensuring everything went smoothly.”
The full list of results can be viewed here.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was delighted to host Judy Murray OBE and her team on Sunday 18 December at Aberdeen Tennis Centre for its free ‘Battle of the Brits’ tennis sessions.
From cardio tennis and adult beginners’ sessions to children’s skills challenges and more, a key theme of the day was to enable more people to get involved in tennis and realise that it is a sport for all.
Sport Aberdeen also had the privilege of welcoming tennis stars for a practice session in the evening of Wednesday 20 December at Aberdeen Tennis Centre ahead of the Battle of the Brits tournament the following day.
The tennis players at the practice session included Jamie Murray, Paul Jubb, Jack Draper, Dan Evans and Neil Skupski.
Battle of the Brits was an action-packed two days – 21 and 22 December – and the full tournament results can be seen here.
We are pleased to advise customers that all venues and programmes will be operating as normal from 9am today (Thursday 15 December).
For the opening hours of all venues please click here.
Customers visiting Tullos Swimming Pool are advised to take extra care on Ladywell Place approaching the swimming pool as conditions remain tricky on that road.
Due to the ongoing adverse weather warning, the following venues will have their opening time delayed until 09:00 on Thursday 15 December, for the safety of customers and staff:
- Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Linx Ice Arena
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates via our website venue pages and social media channels.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
For the safety of our customers and staff, we are making the below changes to our operations and programmes today (Wednesday 14 December):
- The following venues will not open today:
- Get active @ Peterculter
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Get active @ Cults
- Get active @ Lochside
- Bridge of Don Swimming Pool
- All golf courses and outdoor pitches
Furthermore, the following venues have changed their opening hours:
- Get active @ Alex Collie will close at 14:30
- Aberdeen Tennis Centre will close at 15:00
- Tullos Swimming Pool will close at 16:00
- Bucksburn Swimming Pool will close at 16:00
- All other venues will close at 18:00
There will be no fitness classes after 16:00.
- All lessons and coaching programmes running after 15:30 today are cancelled. We will be in touch with customers directly with further information regarding this.
- All Active Lifestyles classes are cancelled, except for Pickleball at Get active @ Jesmond at 13:00 and Zumba Toning at Get active @ Alex Collie at 13:00.
Please note that these closure times are subject to change. If conditions worsen then venues may close earlier with updates posted to our website and social channels.
Please also be aware that all staff based at Head Office are working from home, so response times to calls and emails may be slightly delayed.
Based on the current forecast and Met Office Weather Warning, we expect further disruption into tomorrow. Please check our website venue pages and social media channels, or call the venue you plan to visit ahead of setting off, to check that the venue is open. Thank you for your patience and understanding.