Strategy for an Active Aberdeen gets Council approval

17 November 2016

Aberdeen City Council today (Thursday 17 November) approved a ten year Strategy for an Active Aberdeen aimed at encouraging participation in physical activity and sport and increasing participation opportunities for people of every background.

It will also see an investment in sporting infrastructure such as improving the quality of sports facilities and spaces across the city, supporting new sports and activity clubs and developing coaching skills. The Strategy will also be inclusive ensuring that barriers to becoming physically active are overcome and reduce health inequalities through participation.

The Strategy, likely to go live in January next year, has been developed by the Active Aberdeen Partnership which comprises Aberdeen City Council, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust, Aberdeen Snowsport Centre, Aberdeen University, Health and Social Care Partnership, Robert Gordon University, Sportscotland and Transition Extreme.

Councillor Angela Taylor, convener of the Education and Children’s Services committee which also oversees sport and culture said: “The delivery of the Strategy with our partners over the next ten years is great news for the people of Aberdeen. We already have outstanding sporting facilities and skilled and dedicated people; the challenge now is for us to build on this strong platform and increase participation among individuals and organisations to promote a healthier and happier Aberdeen where everyone feels included.

“The Partnership will manage this over the coming years and help us meet our high level priorities including participation opportunities and quality of life improvements for everyone in the city.”

Approval of the Strategy follows extensive consultation from June to October this year with the public, organisations involved in sport, physical activity, health and education as well as local and national government.

Funding for the Strategy for an Active Aberdeen will be met by the Partnership members including Sport Aberdeen who will be working on behalf of Aberdeen City Council while additional funds are anticipated to come from external funding bids for new projects.