The number of participations by school pupils across Aberdeen in extracurricular sport has doubled in just five years, new figures have reported.

The figures for term one (August to December 2017), reported by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team, showed that participant sessions have risen by over 100 per cent when compared to the same term five years ago and an 11 per cent increase seen from 2016 to 2017.

Football, basketball and netball are shown in the report to be the most popular sports within the extensive extracurricular programmes run and supported by Active Schools Aberdeen.

The number of distinct participants taking part in activities also increased significantly with a 63 per cent rise over the last five years and the number of volunteers also rose, with an eight per cent year on year increase in those helping to deliver sessions.

Registered charity Sport Aberdeen which delivers the Active Schools programme in partnership with sportscotland across Aberdeen, has been delivering opportunities for school pupils to get involved in sport and physical activity for more than a decade.

Graeme Dale, Sport Aberdeen Senior Development Manager (Young People), said:

“These are brilliant results and it’s great to see we are continuing the trend of increasing participation levels year on year. To have an increase of over 100 per cent in five years is testament to a real team approach in the city and shows what can be achieved through partnership working. A huge thank you must go to schools and all the volunteers involved, such as Teachers, PE Teachers, parents, students and senior pupils.”

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive, sportscotland said:

“It is terrific to see the significant increases in participant sessions being reported by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team.  We know that working in partnership with local authorities and leisure trusts, schools, clubs, Active Schools Managers and Coordinators and sports development officers is having such a profoundly positive impact in the growth of Active Schools and Sport Aberdeen’s results are testament to that.

“Investment from the Scottish Government and National Lottery continues to allow us to develop a world-class sporting system and this collaboration is helping to ensure that young people in Scotland have the best sporting opportunities and experiences available and can continue to develop and progress throughout adulthood.”

For more information on Active Schools Aberdeen, click here.