Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has issued its latest annual report; highlighting the resilience of community sport and the people behind the north-east’s largest leisure provider throughout a “year like no other”.

The 2020/21 report reveals that even whilst venues were forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sport Aberdeen continued to ensure that local people could stay active.

The charity was able to loan equipment to 150 customers, including over 80 body pump kits, 700kg of dumbbells and, 100 step blocks while over 100 live online fitness classes were delivered as part of a free Get active @ Home programme.

Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team supported children of key workers and vulnerable young people in 10 schools across the city and were able to support the delivery of several educational hubs, providing over 5,400 hours of assistance.

Almost 250 sports packs were delivered to care experienced children and young people as part of an initiative in partnership with Children 1^st and Sport Aberdeen’s SPACE (Supported Physical Activity for Care Experienced) project.

The project, delivered in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, was recognised in the category ‘Developing and Supporting Communities during Covid-19’ at the ukactive Awards 2021 in August, capping off a successful year for Sport Aberdeen and highlighting the impact that it’s had on the community throughout the course of the pandemic.

Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, said: “This has been a year like no other and so much has changed in this relatively short period of time, but there is so much that Sport Aberdeen can be proud of.

“The recognition of the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle has perhaps been one of the few positives to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, a shift in attitude which is long overdue, and I’m pleased to say that we have, and we will, continue to keep Aberdeen active.

“The dedication of each member of the Sport Aberdeen team who remained at work during this time was just fantastic and I am personally very proud of our response and the support we provided to our community during this time.”

Alistair Robertson, managing director of Sport Aberdeen, said: “This report highlights the successes of an extremely challenging year, but it also serves as a reminder of how powerful community sport and physical activity can be, particularly in the face of such adversity. Not even a pandemic could stop us creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.

“I want to pay tribute to everyone for coping, adapting and responding to our city, which was in crisis and in need of our help. We have absolutely risen to the challenge and met head on all that has been thrown at us, demonstrating great resilience throughout these unprecedented times, which has helped keep Sport Aberdeen afloat.

“During times of so much uncertainty we have managed to not only survive but have come out of the pandemic in a positive position. It has been the resilience and fortitude shown by our people in our community, and everyone who works with and for our charity that has allowed us to continue to play our part in the city’s recovery. Collectively, we have achieved so much, and we are a credit to the city of Aberdeen.”

You can view Sport Aberdeen’s full 2020/21 annual report here.