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Chairman's
Report 2000/2001
For those unable to attend the AGM on 3 May 2001 here is a summary of the Chairman's Report detailing the year's activities and achievements.
Aberdeenshire Sports Council exists to help develop and promote sport throughout Aberdeenshire for the benefit of all ages and ability levels. We believe that we are one of the most progressive and active sports councils in the country and certainly have one of the largest memberships in Scotland (242 in 2000/01).
The last year has been a challenging one with the restructuring process, however Aberdeenshire Sports Council has been involved in a wide range of activities and initiatives during 2000/2001 -
• A comprehensive consultation exercise with all affiliated clubs/organisations and individuals and the three local Sports Councils - Aberdeenshire Central, North & South regarding restructuring proposals. This process took a number of months and considerable time and effort with full and frank discussion/comment.
• Following the results of the consultation a Special General Meeting was held in September where the three local Sports Councils were wound up in favour of one Aberdeenshire Sports Council. A revised constitution was approved and personnel elected to take up Executive Committee roles.
• The consultation as many of you will be aware, had also requested information from the membership on the reasons for and benefits of affiliation, possible improvements to further meet their needs and various other details.
• All the feedback was taken on board and where possible has been or is being addressed via agreed action plans for the working groups (finance & marketing and education/training & development) which were established after the Special General Meeting.
• Grant aid application forms, guidance notes and criteria were revised and improved with one working group considering all grant aid requests. Grant aid disbursement of over £26,000 was made to around 147 talented individuals and clubs/organisations covering the range of eligible grants. Awards went to applicants from many different sports (35), all ages and ability levels, individuals to large clubs.
A range of marketing initiatives have been undertaken. These include -
• Production of a quality promotional/recruitment leaflet highlighting the benefits of affiliation and services offered.
• Updating of the Aberdeenshire sports directory for 2001/02 listing over 240 affiliated clubs in 45 different sports and containing a summary of grant aid schemes available to sports clubs, a list of useful contact addresses and other information relating to Aberdeenshire sports facilities and development. Comprehensive listings of opportunities for athletes with disabilities are also incorporated.
• Production of the first issue (Jan 2001) of a quarterly newsletter which enhanced the information dissemination on the wide range of relevant topics/issues of interest to the membership. The next edition will be produced shortly to an increased specification.
• The Aberdeenshire Sports Council website is now up and running. We are adding to the information on a regular basis and should you have ideas for topics why not let us know?
• The continued distribution of "Club Class" - A Guide to Club Development to newly affiliated clubs/organisations. This is a volunteer support package developed by Aberdeenshire Sports Council reps.
• In respect of education/training, three Executive Committee members attended the annual Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils National Seminar in January and fourteen Executive Committee members undertook a 'Running Sport' Valuing Volunteers workshop in January. In addition a series of four 'Running Sport' courses were offered in various locations around Aberdeenshire for volunteers/administrators and the Sports Council purchased a range of 'Running Sport' resource materials for loan by affiliated members. A questionnaire has been distributed to all affiliated clubs re - education/training requirements and needs with a view to offering a programme of courses from Autumn 2001.
With regards to other development initiatives ongoing commitment and support was given to -
• BAA Aberdeen Youth Games 2000. Financial support of £2000 towards costs for the Aberdeenshire Teams training and attending. Over 160 youngsters participated for Aberdeenshire plus coaches from a range of sports with 6 local authorities taking part. Some of the Aberdeenshire teams made it through to the Millennium Games grand final in Southampton, a very exciting experience for them. A commitment to support the 2001 Games has already been given and it is probable that Aberdeenshire Sports Council will play a greater role in 2001. The event takes place on 15 September (one day only this year).
• Ongoing financial support of £2500 for the operation of the Aberdeenshire Sports Medicine Centres in Ellon and Inverurie with discussions still taking place regarding a possible clinic at Stonehaven for 2001.
• ASC members were heavily involved in Banff 2000 - The Alternative Olympics, a sports and coach education initiative for all ages and levels of ability, including disabilities, in around 21 sports (covering all areas of North Aberdeenshire together with Inverurie, Huntly, etc) led by Princess Royal Sports Club in Banff and also supported in kind by Aberdeenshire Council. Over 3000 participants, 250 coaches and 290 carers/volunteers were involved.
• Following the restructure it was agreed to hold one Sports Awards Evening for Aberdeenshire on May 11 2001 and over 100 nominations were received for the various categories. Shortlisting was extremely difficult as the standard was very high.
• Meetings have been held with reps from the Chris Anderson Trust regarding partnership working in various areas - Schools of Sport & Excellence.
Two other noteworthy achievements:
• Both Stewart Neilson and myself were nominated by Aberdeenshire Sports Council for national awards (unbeknown to us!). I was delighted to win one of ten national awards in the Valuing Volunteers Sports Awards organised by sportscotand, Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils and the Scottish Sports Association. Stewart was successful in being awarded Coach of the Year for young people at the national sportscotland Coach of the Year Awards. In addition Carol McLaren coach to Fleet Feet Triathletes (an ASC affiliated club) won the female Coach of the Year Award at the above awards. We received our awards at ceremonies in Edinburgh.
• Aberdeenshire Sports Council were acknowledged as being one of the important partners in contributing towards the Aberdeenshire Council Sport Development Team's successful Quest Award for Quality bid.
I would like to close by thanking the former local sports council committee members and my current fellow committee members for their positive outlook and enthusiasm which makes my involvement with Aberdeenshire Sports Council so enjoyable. I hope that Aberdeenshire Sports Council can continue to go from strength to strength and to play an important role in the development and promotion of sport in Aberdeenshire and the region.
Jim Conn
Chairman
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