Work kicks-off on Aberdeen’s second Cruyff Court

05 August 2019

Project partners and contractors got the ball rolling today on construction work to create Aberdeen’s second Cruyff Court.

The £300,000 community sports facility is being built on local authority land adjacent to Tullos Primary School.

Aberdeen City Council, the Denis Law Legacy Trust and the Johan Cruyff Foundation are working in partnership to lead the project. Specialist contractor Hunter Construction, based in the north-east, has been appointed to carry out the work.

Cruyff Court Denis Law, delivered by the same partners, became the first facility of its type in Scotland when it was opened at Catherine Street in 2017 and the choice of the second site at Tullos was welcomed by the local community during a consultation period earlier this year.

Aberdeen City Council has allocated £250,000 of funding for the project and the Cruyff Foundation has pledged £50,000.

There are more than 250 Cruyff Courts in more than 20 countries worldwide, creating a safe place to play for young people and designed to encourage participation in a range of sports as well as a place where they learn about respect, responsibility and integration.

The Denis Law Legacy Trust spearheaded the introduction of the concept to the north-east with support from the Foundation and Council.

Cruyff Court Denis Law has been hugely popular and includes sessions delivered as part of the Trust’s award-winning Streetsport programme.

The success provided the inspiration for the second Cruyff Court and Council-owned playing fields were identified as the preferred location following consultation with the community and project partners.

Denis Law said: “The start of construction is an exciting time and everyone associated with the Trust is incredibly proud to be part of a project that will make a real impact on the lives of young people in the south of the city.

“When we brought the first Cruyff Court to Aberdeen we wanted to have a focal point for the great work that is being done by staff and volunteers to nurture and encourage the next generation. The results have been fantastic and the second court will broaden the opportunities to even more youngsters and give them the chance to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.”

Councillor Jenny Laing, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, said: “With work beginning on site at Tullos we have reached an important milestone in a project that has been driven by partners but, most importantly, embraced by the communities in Tullos and Torry.

“The Council is pleased to have been in a position to allocate the land and provide significant investment, with a valued contribution from the Cruyff Foundation, to support the excellent work of the Denis Law Legacy Trust. Our ambition is for a city where all people can prosper and where every young person has the chance to fulfil their potential. Facilities that provide the opportunity to develop and build confidence, as well as leading an active lifestyle, are essential to realising those goals.”

Graham Thom, chairman of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “Through our Streetsport initiative the Trust is bringing sport to the heart of key communities across Aberdeen. Establishing a second Cruyff Court will build on the success we have had at Catherine Street and we look forward to seeing the Tullos facility taking shape in the weeks and months ahead.”

Niels Meijer, director of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, said: “We’re very happy to create more space in Aberdeen and in the United Kingdom. This Cruyff Court gives children a space to grow, to make friends and to improve their mental and physical health.”

Mark Oakley, Managing Director of Hunter Construction (Aberdeen), said: “We are delighted to be constructing the latest Cruyff court in Aberdeen. We built the Catherine Street facility for Aberdeen City Council and are pleased that these facilities are proving to be very successful. Construction of artificial sports facilities for all types of sport is one of our specialisms that we carry out all over Scotland. It is fantastic that we can showcase our work in our home city.”