Aberdeen’s Sports Awards
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards celebrate the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs.
Supported by Active Aberdeen Partnership, who passionately promote sport, physical activity and health opportunities within Aberdeen, these awards showcase the city’s wealth of sporting achievements and recognise the work that goes into the vision of making Aberdeen the most active city in Scotland.
Please note: there is no need to nominate the same person several times over in the same category. One nomination entry is sufficient.
Judging is made by our panel of judges and not by the number of nominations.
The awards ceremony will be held at P&J Live on Thursday, 23rd March.
Tickets will go on sale once the finalists have been announced. All finalists will receive complementary tickets to the event.
Key Dates
| 6 Jan 2023 | Nominations Close |
| 26 Jan 2023 | Finalists announced |
| 23 Mar 2023 | Awards Ceremony |
Categories
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Adult Volunteer of the Year (Over 26)
Awarded to a person over the age of 26, who has volunteered their time and made a significant impact or contribution to the development of individuals, clubs, community or school within Aberdeen City.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- How long they have been volunteering (minimum of six months)
- What they do, including details of where the volunteering takes place and how many hours they give
- Examples of regular commitment to the role
- Examples of how their voluntary work benefits the wider community
- Examples of going the extra mile
- Any additional achievements
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Club of the Year
Awarded to a sports clubs that has made a significant impact on or contribution to the development of sport in the community.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Links with the local community
- A strong coach development structure
- A commitment to being inclusive and providing opportunities for all
- Volunteer recruitment, reward and recognition activity
- Details of awards and success achieved
- Actions during the pandemic to help their members and their community
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3
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Community Sports Project of the Year
Awarded to a community sports club, community group or voluntary organisation that has used sport to make a difference in communities at a ‘grass roots’ level and achieved positive outcomes.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of the project e.g. when, where and how often it takes place
- The difference the project makes to people’s lives
- Involvement of participants in the development of the project
- Commitment to personal development of participants including volunteering and training
- Sustainability of the project
- What is inspiring and/or innovative about the project
- What impact has the project made over the course of the pandemic
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4
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.4
Community / Participation Coach of the Year
Awarded to a community, school or club-based coach who has made a significant increase in providing opportunities and participation levels in the city.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of regular quality coaching sessions in Aberdeen, including when and where the coaching takes place
- Details of the athletes/players coached and at which level they participate
- Current coaching qualifications and additional continuous professional development opportunities undertaken
- Examples of providing a safe, inclusive and fun setting for participation
- Examples of increasing opportunities and participation levels
- Examples of using innovative practice in their coaching
- Examples of how the coach contributes to the local community
- Key achievements since January 2020
- If in a paid role, must show they’ve gone above and beyond their job description
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5
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.5
Inspiration Award
Awarded to someone who is regarded as a positive role model or has shown incredible determination to overcome barriers, setbacks and challenges in achieving their goals.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Outstanding achievements
- Positive impact on others
- Inspirational qualities
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6
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Lifetime Achievement
Awarded to an individual who has made a positive impact, through sport, over their lifetime, through an Aberdeen based club/school or within a local community.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of the role(s) played
- Examples of dedication to their role, participants and the wider community
- Details of non-financial contribution
- Examples of going beyond the call of duty
- Impact on the community/club/sport or individuals
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7
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.7
Performance Coach of the Year
Awarded to a school, community club, district, regional or national coach who has made a significant impact on the progression of individuals or teams in their sport at a district, regional or national level.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- A programme of athlete/player-centred coaching sessions, including when and where the coaching takes place
- A description of the athletes/players coached and at which level they perform
- Current coaching qualifications and additional continuous professional development opportunities undertaken in the past year
- Evidence of mentoring and developing other coaches
- Examples of identifying and nurturing talent in line with the sports long term athlete/player development model
- Examples of significantly improving athletes/players performance at district, regional or national level (not necessarily winning titles)
- Examples of how the coach contributes to the local community
- Key achievements since September 2021
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Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor of the Year
Awarded to a personal trainer or fitness instructor that has had significant impact on the people that they work with, developing them along their fitness journey.
Please note this award will be based on achievements from September 2021 to September 2022.
After our 3 finalists have been chosen this award will go up for the public to vote for their winner
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9
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School Innovation Award
Awarded to the Aberdeen City school (Primary, Secondary or Additional Support Needs) that has used PEPAS – PE, Physical Activity and Sport – in innovative and positive ways to best support the mental and physical health of their pupils. Nominations should be in the form of a pupil led submission to give the voice of young people. Only one nomination per school.
Videos / pictures welcome, instead of or in addition to, written response to questions – please add in a web link to allow the judges to view these in the answer boxes. This can take the form of one link that covers all questions or a different link for each question.
Please note this award will be based on achievements from September 2021 to September 2022.
(please send any additional information to Event Manager Lesley Taylor l.taylor@ajl.co.uk)
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Sports Achiever of the Year
Awarded to a sports performer competing at the highest level of their sport, including Para athletes and athletes with disabilities, who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Performance level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain/BUCS
- Age group
- Key achievements since September 2021
- Dedication to training
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
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11
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.11
Student Sports Achiever of the Year
Awarded to a student sports performer who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete.
NB: nominees must currently be registered as a student in further or higher education; studying or living in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire with a connection to a club, team or sport in Aberdeen
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Performance level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain/BUCS
- Age group
- Key achievements since September 2021
- Dedication to training, as well as commitment to studies or extra-curricular activities of educational institution
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
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12
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Team Performance of the Year
Awarded to a sports team that has made significant progress, achieved or won titles/trophies, whilst demonstrating a commitment to continual training and development.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport played
- Leagues/tournaments/championships competing in
- Level of competition e.g. local, district, regional or national
- Key achievements since January 2020
- Commitment to training and development
- Inspirational qualities
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13
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.13
Veteran/Masters Sports Achiever of the Year
Awarded to a sports performer who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete in a veteran category of their sport stipulated by the National Governing Body (NGB) e.g. Scottish Swimming Masters is from 25 years and up, or Scottish Women’s Masters Hockey, which is open to players over 40.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain
- NGB age range for veterans/masters
- Key achievements since September 2021
- Dedication to training
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
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Young Coach of the Year (16-25)
Awarded to a community, school or club-based coach, aged 16-25 years, who has made a significant impact or contribution to the development of individuals or teams in their sport within the city.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of at least one coaching session per week, including when and where the coaching takes place
- A description of the athletes/players coached and at which level they participate/perform
- Current coaching qualifications and additional continuous professional development opportunities undertaken
- Examples of providing a safe, inclusive and fun setting for participation
- Examples of improving performers and/or team
- Examples of how the coach contributes to the local community
- Key achievements since September 2021
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15
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.15
Young Sports Achiever of the Year (Under 18)
Awarded to a sports performer under the age of 18 years, competing at the highest level of their sport, including Para athletes and athletes with disabilities, who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Performance level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain/BUCS
- Age group
- Key achievements since September 2021
- Dedication to training
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
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16
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.16
Young Volunteer of the Year (12-25)
Awarded to a person aged 12-25 years who has volunteered their time and made a significant impact or contribution to the development of individuals, clubs, community or school sport within Aberdeen.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- How long they have been volunteering (minimum of six months)
- What they do, including details of where the volunteering takes place and how many hours they give
- Examples of regular commitment to the role
- Examples of how their voluntary work benefits the wider community
- Examples of going the extra mile
- Key achievements since September 2021
Partners
The Evening Express, Scotland’s biggest selling evening newspaper, produces unrivalled coverage of local news and sport in the north-east of Scotland. Our team of reporters ensures readers are informed of anything that affects them and are primed to react to every breaking incident across the area. Whether it’s the latest development at the Town House or a major, developing story we’re there seven days a week to bring the news everyone wants to read about. The Evening Express features more coverage of our city’s main football club, Aberdeen FC, than anyone else, with our sports team also reporting on Peterhead FC, Cove Rangers, the Highland League and all other local sports. We’ve got the best sport columnists to be had in the north-east, with Dons legends Willie Miller, Joe Harper and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie giving their frank and honest views on anything sport-related.
Visit Evening Express website
The Active Aberdeen Partnership is the strategic lead for physical activity & sport across the city. It brings key organisations, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Transition Extreme, Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council, sportscotland and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, together to collaborate in an open and transparent manner. By working effectively together the partnership aims to maximise resources and expertise to bring our vision of making Aberdeen the most active City in Scotland a reality.
Visit Active Aberdeen Partnership website
The Evening Express, Scotland’s biggest selling evening newspaper, produces unrivalled coverage of local news and sport in the north-east of Scotland. Our team of reporters ensures readers are informed of anything that affects them and are primed to react to every breaking incident across the area. Whether it’s the latest development at the Town House or a major, developing story we’re there seven days a week to bring the news everyone wants to read about. The Evening Express features more coverage of our city’s main football club, Aberdeen FC, than anyone else, with our sports team also reporting on Peterhead FC, Cove Rangers, the Highland League and all other local sports. We’ve got the best sport columnists to be had in the north-east, with Dons legends Willie Miller, Joe Harper and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie giving their frank and honest views on anything sport-related.
Visit Evening Express websiteThe Active Aberdeen Partnership is the strategic lead for physical activity & sport across the city. It brings key organisations, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Transition Extreme, Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council, sportscotland and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, together to collaborate in an open and transparent manner. By working effectively together the partnership aims to maximise resources and expertise to bring our vision of making Aberdeen the most active City in Scotland a reality.
Visit Active Aberdeen Partnership website
Sponsors
We are an award-winning registered charity, committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. Our goal is simple; we want to get more people active and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take part regardless of age, gender or ability. Play your part and join Sport Aberdeen, where all profits are reinvested back into the communities we serve. Our Get active memberships offer access to a range of gyms, classes, golf courses, ice skating, racquets and much more.
Visit Sport Aberdeen websiteAberdeen Sports Village is Scotland’s premier sports, fitness and lifestyle venue and exists as the home for sport in the beautiful city of Aberdeen
From hosting international sports events, offering multiple sports facilities including a 400m athletics track and indoor athletics facility, to an Olympic standard Aquatics Centre, the gym, exercise and lifestyle classes – the village offers a truly inspirational space for all.
Visit Aberdeen Sports Village websiteClubSport Aberdeen continually strive to encourage and develop a vibrant and inclusive club sport network in the city of Aberdeen, helping clubs make a positive impact through sport on their members, volunteers, and the wider community, by providing local sports clubs with a unified voice and practical support.
ClubSport Aberdeen is a registered charity with a board of trustees from member clubs. The board solicits and welcomes input from clubs, using this as guidance for the organisation’s strategy.
In addition to sharing helpful information and providing practical benefits, ClubSport promotes member clubs through media outlets and advocates for clubs with local facilities, government, and service providers.
Visit Club Sport Aberdeen websiteAtholl Scott Financial Services have provided high quality financial planning assistance to individuals and small businesses for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on providing clear, transparent, holistic advice in wealth management and retirement planning, developing long standing and inter-generational client relationships
Visit Atholl Scott Financial Services websiteBurness Paull is a leading independent law firm, based in Scotland and providing advice and support to our clients, both in the UK and internationally. Our focus is on delivering success for our clients. In doing so, we strive to achieve the highest standards of conduct, professionalism and ethics and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws as well as the professional obligations we have as a firm of solicitors.
This Supplier Code of Business sets out the values and principles that are important to us and which we expect all our suppliers to adopt and follow. We seek to work with suppliers who contribute to sustainable development and are economically, environmentally and socially responsible. It is also to ensure our compliance with legal requirements including those relating to anti-bribery and corruption, financial crime and data protection.
We will ensure our expectations and the requirements set out in this Code are relevant and proportionate to the size of your organisation and the service you provide to us.
Visit Burness Paull websiteSport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Team deliver sportscotland’s national Active Schools initiative in Aberdeen. Active Schools provides free extra curricular sport and physical activity opportunities to encourage children and young people to participate in. The team works with all primary, secondary and additional support needs schools in the city. An army of volunteers, from teachers and school staff, parents, senior pupils, students and sports club coaches, are at the heart of the Active Schools programme, delivering a range of different sports and activities. A mainstream programme for all, Active Schools also has a focus on ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunities to enjoy and benefit from participating in sport.
Visit Active Schools websiteCALA, Aberdeen’s leading homebuilder, have a long and proud heritage in the city from our inception as the City of Aberdeen Land Association (CALA) in 1875 and the first Scottish company to be listed on the London Stock Market to today becoming one of the UK’s largest national homebuilders delivering over 2,000 new homes in 2021. Despite a UK footprint, Aberdeen remains at our heart where creating high quality homes that come together to make great communities within the best locations and addresses in our region are what our reputation is built on.
Visit CALA website
Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing regular high-quality sport and physical activity opportunities to people with a disability. We achieve this through: strong partnership working; specialist training and developing new projects to increase knowledge and confidence in providing inclusive opportunities across the region.
Visit Grampian Disability Sport website
P&J Live is the largest event complex in the North of Scotland, boasting world-class conference and exhibition facilities for organisers and delegates across the globe, all sustainably powered by local, renewable energy sources.
The development also comprises three on site hotels including the adjoining 4-star Hilton with 200 bedrooms, the Aloft Hotel with 150 bedrooms and a third budget hotel to be confirmed with a further 150 bedrooms.
With unrivalled public transport connections, the new venue is located right next to Aberdeen International Airport – the UK’s most connected regional airport, a few short minutes from the city’s new western peripheral route, and in prime position for the improved rail links between Aberdeen and the North of Scotland, due to be completed next year.
P&J Live is the UK’s single largest investment of its kind and one of many occurring across Aberdeen, as the energy city looks beyond oil and gas and continues to grow in a range of exciting new industries. Aberdeen International Airport is undergoing a £50 million expansion, while £30 million is being spent on rejuvenating the city’s Art Gallery. New hotels are going up across the city and the ongoing Marischal Square Development, with its refreshing mix of offices, cafes, restaurants and hotels, adds to the city centre’s vibrant and cosmopolitan appeal.
Original 106, the local radio station for Aberdeen and the North East
With fun, banter and competitions to keep the North East happy all day long. Start your day with the BIG Breakfast with Claire & Craig, – through mid-morning with Martin Ingram, our Maximum Music Hour, then the lift home with McCully, – there’s always plenty going on.
Original 106 is available on FM, DAB, and online (website, app and smart speaker).
Our mix of great music, news and sports news keeps you up to date with everything you need to help you through the day.
Original 106 is available on FM, DAB, and online (website, app and smart speaker).
Visit Original 106 website
We are an award-winning registered charity, committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. Our goal is simple; we want to get more people active and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take part regardless of age, gender or ability. Play your part and join Sport Aberdeen, where all profits are reinvested back into the communities we serve. Our Get active memberships offer access to a range of gyms, classes, golf courses, ice skating, racquets and much more.
Visit Sport Aberdeen websiteAberdeen Sports Village is Scotland’s premier sports, fitness and lifestyle venue and exists as the home for sport in the beautiful city of Aberdeen
From hosting international sports events, offering multiple sports facilities including a 400m athletics track and indoor athletics facility, to an Olympic standard Aquatics Centre, the gym, exercise and lifestyle classes – the village offers a truly inspirational space for all.
Visit Aberdeen Sports Village websiteClubSport Aberdeen continually strive to encourage and develop a vibrant and inclusive club sport network in the city of Aberdeen, helping clubs make a positive impact through sport on their members, volunteers, and the wider community, by providing local sports clubs with a unified voice and practical support.
ClubSport Aberdeen is a registered charity with a board of trustees from member clubs. The board solicits and welcomes input from clubs, using this as guidance for the organisation’s strategy.
In addition to sharing helpful information and providing practical benefits, ClubSport promotes member clubs through media outlets and advocates for clubs with local facilities, government, and service providers.
Visit Club Sport Aberdeen website
Atholl Scott Financial Services have provided high quality financial planning assistance to individuals and small businesses for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on providing clear, transparent, holistic advice in wealth management and retirement planning, developing long standing and inter-generational client relationships
Visit Atholl Scott Financial Services websiteBurness Paull is a leading independent law firm, based in Scotland and providing advice and support to our clients, both in the UK and internationally. Our focus is on delivering success for our clients. In doing so, we strive to achieve the highest standards of conduct, professionalism and ethics and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws as well as the professional obligations we have as a firm of solicitors.
This Supplier Code of Business sets out the values and principles that are important to us and which we expect all our suppliers to adopt and follow. We seek to work with suppliers who contribute to sustainable development and are economically, environmentally and socially responsible. It is also to ensure our compliance with legal requirements including those relating to anti-bribery and corruption, financial crime and data protection.
We will ensure our expectations and the requirements set out in this Code are relevant and proportionate to the size of your organisation and the service you provide to us.
Visit Burness Paull websiteSport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Team deliver sportscotland’s national Active Schools initiative in Aberdeen. Active Schools provides free extra curricular sport and physical activity opportunities to encourage children and young people to participate in. The team works with all primary, secondary and additional support needs schools in the city. An army of volunteers, from teachers and school staff, parents, senior pupils, students and sports club coaches, are at the heart of the Active Schools programme, delivering a range of different sports and activities. A mainstream programme for all, Active Schools also has a focus on ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunities to enjoy and benefit from participating in sport.
Visit Active Schools websiteCALA, Aberdeen’s leading homebuilder, have a long and proud heritage in the city from our inception as the City of Aberdeen Land Association (CALA) in 1875 and the first Scottish company to be listed on the London Stock Market to today becoming one of the UK’s largest national homebuilders delivering over 2,000 new homes in 2021. Despite a UK footprint, Aberdeen remains at our heart where creating high quality homes that come together to make great communities within the best locations and addresses in our region are what our reputation is built on.
Visit CALA websiteGrampian Disability Sport (GDS) is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing regular high-quality sport and physical activity opportunities to people with a disability. We achieve this through: strong partnership working; specialist training and developing new projects to increase knowledge and confidence in providing inclusive opportunities across the region.
Visit Grampian Disability Sport website
P&J Live is the largest event complex in the North of Scotland, boasting world-class conference and exhibition facilities for organisers and delegates across the globe, all sustainably powered by local, renewable energy sources.
The development also comprises three on site hotels including the adjoining 4-star Hilton with 200 bedrooms, the Aloft Hotel with 150 bedrooms and a third budget hotel to be confirmed with a further 150 bedrooms.
With unrivalled public transport connections, the new venue is located right next to Aberdeen International Airport – the UK’s most connected regional airport, a few short minutes from the city’s new western peripheral route, and in prime position for the improved rail links between Aberdeen and the North of Scotland, due to be completed next year.
P&J Live is the UK’s single largest investment of its kind and one of many occurring across Aberdeen, as the energy city looks beyond oil and gas and continues to grow in a range of exciting new industries. Aberdeen International Airport is undergoing a £50 million expansion, while £30 million is being spent on rejuvenating the city’s Art Gallery. New hotels are going up across the city and the ongoing Marischal Square Development, with its refreshing mix of offices, cafes, restaurants and hotels, adds to the city centre’s vibrant and cosmopolitan appeal.
Original 106, the local radio station for Aberdeen and the North East
With fun, banter and competitions to keep the North East happy all day long. Start your day with the BIG Breakfast with Claire & Craig, – through mid-morning with Martin Ingram, our Maximum Music Hour, then the lift home with McCully, – there’s always plenty going on.
Original 106 is available on FM, DAB, and online (website, app and smart speaker).
Our mix of great music, news and sports news keeps you up to date with everything you need to help you through the day.
Original 106 is available on FM, DAB, and online (website, app and smart speaker).
Visit Original 106 website
Judges
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Ryan Cryle
Head of Sport, Evening Express
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Graeme Dale
Development Manager, Sport Aberdeen
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Brian Pahlmann
Chair, ClubSport Aberdeen
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Alison Shaw
Grampian Regional Manager, Scottish Disability Sport
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Donald Pirie
Regional Performance Manager, SportScotland Institue of Sport Regional Performance Manager
