Grant Applications Recently Approved (May & June)

Grant Applications Recommended For Approval

(Subject to Executive Committee meeting - 06.08.2002)

Reports From A Number Of Grant Recipients

After sitting my art exam on Wednesday 1st May, we headed off to Auchenblae near Laurencekirk to spend the night with a fellow team member, Lucy Miller.  Next morning, we headed off early on our five hour journey in Lucy Miller’s lorry to Stranraer, where we boarded the ferry.  We took the fast ferry to Ireland, to reduce the stressful journey time for the horses.  The horses had to be abandoned on the lower deck in its clammy conditions, while I went upstairs and met the rest of the Junior Young Riders and the Pony team.

The ferry took two hours to reach Ireland, and another two hours after that to reach Nacarne Castle, Irvinston, where the competition was being held.  From the moment we touched land on Ireland everyone was very nice and welcoming.  We parked the lorries, got out the horses and walked them round the castle to stretch their legs.  It was a beautiful place with excellent facilities.  The horses who were members of the Scottish Squad were all stabled together. After settling the horses for the night, those of us who didn’t have a lorry to sleep in, shared a car and travelled a few miles to the Ennerskillen Agricultural College.  It was a relatively new college.  It was very nice and comfortable and everyone was very hospitable there.

Next morning after a very enjoyable breakfast with the students of the college, we went back to Nacarne to exercise and prepare our horses for the next couple of days of competition, while looking at the facilities on offer.  This included the picturesque walled garden where the arenas were set up, the warm up arena in the centre of the stable block, horsewalkers, horse solariums and a restaurant. The next few days went quite quickly.  The weather was very warm for the time of year.  The atmosphere was very calm and relaxed. Probably because the Irish were so laid back and willing to do anything for you.  The Squad was full of team spirit and very excited.  Although I wasn’t placed in my class, I was placed 13th out of the thirty one and all horses and riders were of a high standard, so this was still a big achievement, even though I wasn’t in the placings.  Our team came second, just being pushed out of first place by the Irish Junior Team.

The four days seemed to pass really quickly, but will be something I will remember forever.  It was an excellent experience to be able to have.  The Squad met again for lunch on the journey home and said our goodbyes.  We finally got home at eleven o’clock on Monday night.  I would just like to thank the Sports Council for giving me the generous grant, as I am sure you have realised this was an expensive trip to make.

Anika Milne

I have just returned from the Three Day Pony Club Pentathlon Course, where I received top class instruction in running, swimming, air pistol shooting and fencing.  I very much enjoyed the course - not only the intensive training but also the opportunity to make friends with other athletes from all over Scotland.  This course is going to be followed up by one day courses over the next three months until the Scottish Interbranch Tetrathlon Competition on the 25th and 26th of July.  I have been a member of East Aberdeenshire Pony Club for the past three years and have competed at tetrathlon for the past two years.  My performance at tetrathlon has steadily improved and I have been long listed for the Scottish Tetrathlon Team in 2001 and 2002.  I plan to attend the one day courses over the coming months and also to implement a structured training plan with the aim of selection to the Scottish Team this summer.

Mhairi Mitchell

I have recently been in attendance at the IX World Masters Swimming Championships in New Zealand.  I was entered in five events in the 65-69 Years Group: my results were 4th Place Medal in 200m Individual Medley, 7th Place Medal in 50m Breast-stroke, 7th Place Medal in 100m Breast-stroke, 7th Place Medal in 200m Breast-stroke and 8th Place Medal in 50m Butterfly.

Elizabeth (Betty) McMillan

Jillian Gill recently took part in the Aberdeen & North East Squad U17 Netball Squad Sessions and Competitions.  Jillian was the only athlete within the squad who had a 100% attendance record over the whole training period.  Her commitment to the squad and her team was unquestionable.

Donna Grieg, Squad Manager

I’ve played netball from an early age.  I played for my school team  where we never lost a game; I was the team captain and we won our school tournament. I play at Turriff Netball Club, following in my Mum and Sister’s footsteps, who still play for Turriff.  I played in the inaugural U15 Team for Turriff being the youngest at 12.  I’ve always been selected for the team and played a full game as either Goal Defence or Centre.  This year I have demonstrated my versatility as I have played as a shooter, defender and a centre in various games throughout the season.

This year Turriff have introduced a new trophy for the Player of the Year for the team, which I have won.  I have received more Player of the Match votes, awarded by the opposition, throughout the season than anyone else.

Last year I was selected for the Aberdeenshire U13 squad , where I was in their ‘A’ Squad, playing Centre and taking the role of Captain.  During that season we were unbeaten participants in a friendly tournament.  This year I trialled for the Aberdeen & District U15 Squad, where I was selected from 60 other girls.  I have gone from the ‘A’ Team to the ‘B’ Team, and back to the ‘A’ Team after proving to the coaches that I have the skills, dedication and correct attitude. This year I have listened carefully to the advice given from both District and Turriff coaches, which I feel, has uplifted my game.  I hope this will pay off in the two-day national competition in May, where I will play for the ‘A’ Team.

This year I haven’t missed one training session, but unfortunately, I did have to miss one of the smaller competitions at the start of the season.

As part of the Squad Programme, I participated in a weekend camp at the National Sports Centre at Inverclyde, two one-day national competitions in Edinburgh and Glasgow, a weekend competition in Glasgow and am looking forward to the ‘A’ Squad competition coming up in May.

This year, in the summer, I hope to keep developing my skills with training at Turriff and a four day camp at Inverclyde.

Claire Brownie

Sharp Shooter Heading To The Commonwealth Games

Sheena Sharp from Huntly has been selected to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games later this month in the Ladies Small Bore Rifle (Prone). Another Aberdeenshire shooter and colleague of Sheena’s, Jim Cole-Hamilton, from Fyvie also made the Scottish team in the Men’s Small Bore Rifle (Prone). 

Sheena has recently returned from competing for Great Britain at the World Championships in Lahti in Finland where she was placed a very creditable 35th out of 93 participants.

‘We shall be heading down to Bisley Shooting Centre in Surrey on 16 July for a number of days training. This will be the venue for the shooting competitions’, explained Sheena. ‘A new range has been specially constructed for the Commonwealth Games as there wasn’t thought to be a  suitable venue in Manchester, which seems somewhat surprising.’

Sheena, Jim and the rest of the Scottish Team won’t however miss the Opening and Closing Ceremonies on the 25 July and 4 August respectively as trains have been laid on to transport them to Manchester.

‘Both Sheena and Jim have received support in the form of grant aid from Aberdeenshire Sports Council to assist with expenses and we wish them the best of luck in their events’, said  Alison Hodgson, Secretary.

 Jim is competing in the pairs event on 28 July and individual event on 1 August whilst Sheena will be in action in the pairs event on 30 July and individual event on 3 August.

Sheena Sharp receives her cheque from Aberdeenshire Sports Council member, Bert Timmins, at Huntly Rifle Clubs range.

Competition Results

Thank you to all who entered the competition in Issue 6 of the Newsletter. Congratulations go to Linda Mackie, Ythan Amateur Swimming Club whose correct entry was drawn out of the hat, winning a £20 sports equipment voucher for the club.

Competition Time!

Your chance to win a £20.00 sports equipment voucher for your school or your club/organisation.

Baseball caps will go to the first three in each age group - P1 - P4, P5 - P7 and Secondary.

The overall winner will receive a £20.00 voucher for their school, club or organisation.

All you have to do is send in your artwork (no larger than A4), with this entry form attached, showing your favourite Sporting Event of the Summer - it may be the World Cup, Wimbledon or the Commonwealth Games - or it may have been an event which your school, club or organisation has taken part in. These can be paintings, drawings, collage, etc.

A selection of entries will be displayed on the Aberdeenshire Sports Council website -

(Note:- it may be difficult to scan collages)

www.Aberdeenshire-Sports-Council.org.uk

Name _______________________________

Address  ________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Postcode   _________________

Tel No.    __________________________

School/Club/Organisation  _________________________

P1 - P4 o* Age ____                  P5 - P7 o* Age ____                  Secondary   o* Age ____

* Tick as appropriate

Return to: Aberdeenshire Sports Council, 1 Church Street, Macduff, AB44 1UR no later than Friday 4 October 2002.

Grampian Institute of Sport

It’s been a hectic period for everyone involved in the Grampian Institute of Sport, with our athletes, coaches and service providers working together towards major events ranging from Scottish Championships through to World Championships (Junior & Senior) and, of course, the Commonwealth Games!

Due to the inclusion of some new sports into the Area Institute Programme at a national level, along with changes to existing programmes, the Grampian Institute has welcomed (and continues to do so) new athletes into the Institute. As the Grampian Institute seems to be growing and evolving on a daily basis, it is probably appropriate to give you a full listing of our athletes (as at 1 May 2002).

Athlete                                     Town/City                               Sport

Briony Curtis                           Banchory                                 Athletics

Iain Donnan                            Aberdeen                                 Athletics

Simon Pride                            Fochabers                               Athletics

       (Simon Pride Far Left )

Kenny Herriot                          Aberdeen                                 Athletics (SDS)

Rachael Rennie                     Clatt                                          Badminton

Tim Baillie                               Westhill                                    Canoe Slalom

Edward Kay                             Aberdeen                                 Canoe Slalom

Jackie Lockhart                      Stonehaven                             Curling

Paul Stevenson                      Aberdeen                                 Curling

Douglas Anderson                Aberdeen                                 Hockey

Leigh Fawcett                         Aberdeen                                 Hockey

Natasha Fowlie                      Longside                                 Hockey

Craig Harper                           Forres                                      Hockey

Nikki Kidd                                Longside                                 Hockey

Alison McIntyre                       Aberdeen                                 Hockey

Lisa McNeil                             Ellon                                         Hockey

Catherine Rae                        Aberdeen                                 Hockey

Duncan Wardlaw                   Forres                                      Hockey

Barrie Williams                      Lossiemouth                          Judo

Jamie Williams                      Lossiemouth                          Judo

Stuart Noble                            Ellon                                         Rugby

Carey Abel                               Elgin                                         Swimming

Rachael Keir                           Duffus                                      Swimming

Robert Lang                            Aberdeen                                 Swimming

Martin Leel                              Peterhead                               Swimming

Gregor McMillan                     Aberdeen                                 Swimming

Ewan Porteous                      Aberdeen                                 Swimming

Gillian Robb                            Kinellar                                    Swimming

Gemma Sutherland              Aberdeen                                 Swimming

Martyn Taylor                           Aberdeen                                 Swimming

Chris Whitcombe                   Aberdeen                                 Swimming

For further details on the Grampian Institute of Sport contact Phil Reid, Manager on 01224 522006 or e-mail him at phreid@arts-rec.aberdeen.net.uk

Aberdeenshire Disability Sport Update

Adapted Wheelchairs Available For Tennis

For Youngsters

Whizz-Kidz, a charity supplying adapted wheelchairs for children have very kindly provided one suitable for youngsters to play tennis . . . and it is available now to Aberdeenshire schools and clubs.

Schools or tennis clubs with any wheelchair users who want to have a go at tennis can contact John Wills on 07813 967878 to arrange for loan of the adapted wheelchair. It may also be possible to arrange some coaching. ‘ Some people may have seen the recent wheelchair tennis at Wimbledon which was really impressive and fancy an opportunity to try it out,’ said John.

. . . and Adults

Also available following kind support from Aberdeenshire Sports Council, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Diced Cap Charitable Trust and Iain Craigie’s (tennis coach) sponsored walk is an adult adapted wheelchair.

 This is available for use at Westburn Tennis Centre, Westburn Park, Aberdeen via normal booking procedures (no additional cost to hire the wheelchair), though the centre need to know in advance that the adapted wheelchair is required. Westburn Tennis Centre can be contacted on 01224 625342

Athletics

Two very successful athletics days for people with disabilities were held last month. The first, at Ellon Meadows, for those attending day centres, was held on the 13 June and attracted 75 participants. The second, at Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie, for those adults not attending day centres, attracted 13 participants (a more local event) and was held on 30 June.

From the two events above an Aberdeenshire team has been chosen to attend the Discovery Games event in Dundee on 10 August 2002.

Contact John Wills for details of

Aberdeenshire Disability Sport

initiatives and programmes.

Tel: 07813 967878