The programme, aimed at children aged seven to 13, provides professional athletic coaching and fun ways to become more physically active free of charge for deprived communities in the region. The sessions have also been expanded to cater for children with disabilities, providing inclusive sessions that everyone can take part in.
Each AAAC coaching session will run for one hour across 40 weeks, with the Cala Bursary helping to cover costs such as facilities hire, and new sporting and first aid equipment.
The funding will also be used to help recruit and train coaching volunteers from the communities, providing them with the opportunity to potentially continue hosting athletic sessions for local children and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in the area.
Brian Pahlmann, Club Manager at Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club, said: “Since our establishment in 1952, the Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club has always taken pride in providing people of all ages with the ability to enjoy athletics. We regularly hold events and competitions and have even trained Olympic competitors, such as Zoey Clark who competed in Tokyo 2020. With our new satellite coaching sessions programme, we’re looking to extend our support to the very heart of the communities that need it.
“As a result of the pandemic, there’s been a significant decline in physical activity for children in some of the most deprived areas in Scotland, so it’s never been more important to provide this extra help. It’s thanks to the kind donation from Cala Homes and its community bursary grant, that we have the necessary funding to continue these sessions throughout the year and help the children of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.”
Mike Naysmith, Managing Director at Cala Homes (North), said: “Seeing youngsters across the region enjoying sessions organised by the Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club is exactly what we hope to achieve through our community bursary. We hope that the funding provided can help to promote an active way for children to have fun and possibly discover a love for the sport.”
The donation was made as part of the Cala Homes (North) £10,000 Community Bursary initiative, which has helped a total of seven local groups, charities, and organisations this year.
Now in its fifth year, our Community Bursary aims to provide support for a wide range of organisations and projects within the communities in which Cala builds.
Visit our Community Bursary page for more information.
