Active Aberdeen - Progress Report 2006/07

Establishment of baseline information for strategic performance indicators.

• Participation surveys have been conducted by stakeholders including sportscotland, NHS Grampian and RGU:SPORT.  Extensive survey was planned by Aberdeen City Council for implementation in 2007/08. Sportscotland published an analysis of regional variations in sports participation in Scotland which contains an analysis of participation in each local authority area. The Grampian Institute of Sport also monitors the number of athletes from Aberdeen City that are selected for their programmes.

Completion of New Opportunities Fund funded facilities.

• The improvements to the Cromdale Outdoor Centre were completed in May 2006. The MUGA (multi use) pitches at Torry, Old Machar and Hazlehead were completed. Problems with the ground at St Machar were discovered and mechanisms put in place to resolve them.

Review of New Opportunities Fund (NOF) Activities programme.

• The NOF Activities Programme was reviewed and partnerships were established with Active Schools and Sports Development to continue the excellent work started by the NOF Activities Programme once the Programme ends in August 2007. The NOF Programme succeeded in involving 19% of Aberdeen’s children aged 5 to 16 in taster sessions for various sports. These sessions offered children links with sports clubs in the community. 

Development of new pavilions and improvements to pitches at Aulton and Hazlehead.

• The pavilion at Aulton is complete with formal opening in July 2007. Pitch improvements are due to begin in 2008. Work is underway at Hazlehead pavilion with completion due in January 2008.

Development of opportunities to attract and accommodate "hard to reach” population groups.

• A City Council survey and focus groups were planned for later in 2007 to ascertain the barriers to participation amongst hard to reach groups.
• Active Schools worked with three schools in areas of deprivation. There were 2,506 activity sessions for 3,555 participants.

Completion of structural review within Aberdeen City Council resulting in the establishment of cohesive links between formal Physical Education curriculum, New Opportunities Fund Activities, Sports Development and Active Schools.

• Closer links are being established between PE, Sports Development, NOF and Active Schools. One example is the Active Schools Steering Group which brings these partners together to share information and co-ordinate activities. The post of Coaching Development Manager was also created in conjunction with Aberdeenshire.