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] 7^th 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”.