PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: TODAY (Monday, April 10) at 2.30pm, Butchart Recreation Centre, University Road, Old Aberdeen
Kids from across the city are being given the chance to be healthy and active over the Easter holidays as the University of Aberdeen holds its popular Children’s Sports School.
And this year, for the first time in the Children’s Sports School’s 20 years of operation, the University has invited an AFC footballer, Gary Dempsey, to come along and meet the children in a special coaching session.
The Sports School is also offering 11 free places in the summer school for up to five local schools as part of its 20th birthday celebrations. The Children’s Sports School continues to grow in popularity with over 80 children taking part in top class sporting activities this week and next week and up to 800 over the course of the year
The kids, all aged from five to 14-years-old, have so far this week enjoyed trampolining, swimming, gymnastics, table tennis and basketball, as well as rugby, football and athletics, with more to come throughout the second week of the school holidays.
David Beattie, Director of Sports Development at the University of Aberdeen, said the Children’s Sports School offers fantastic opportunities for children to take part in a wide range of sports. He said: “Being healthy, active and fit is an increasingly important part of the future for our children and we are delighted to be offering free places for up to five local schools this year, which demonstrates the University’s commitment to increasing sports participation in the local community.
“The increasing numbers of children taking part in our Sports Schools in both Easter and Summer shows that the kids love the range of activities we offer. They get the chance to participate in sports they’ve never tried before and to meet loads of new friends.
Jackie Davidson, Sports School Co-ordinator, said by offering free places to local schools the University hoped to forge even stronger links with the local community. She said: “The University has a long established Easter and Summer Sports Schools and by linking up with local schools we hope to create a greater collaborative approach involving schools to enhance sports provision for children.”
Ms Davidson added that she was delighted to have Aberdeen Football Club on board this year. He said: “It’s great for the kids to be able to meet and chat with a Dons star like Gary as it adds to their excitement and encourages their interest in sport in general.”
* The University of Aberdeen provides a comprehensive range of sports and exercise facilities at its King’s College campus and at its satellite sites. The University is actively developing new sporting facilities of an international standard in Aberdeen. The University is home to the Grampian Institute of Sport, providing specialist coaching to elite sportsmen and women and up and coming stars in Grampian.