Programme Information

SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME 2014

AFC in the Community is back with another fun filled Holiday Programme! With a 50% discount per extra sibling on week 3-5 courses and a free gift for every child, its time to put away the school books and dig out the football boots!

The Summer Holiday Programme, which runs from the 7th July to the 8th August across several venues in Aberdeen City and Shire, kicks off with our AFC Soccer School and aims to help children improve their football skills and confidence whilst having fun in a safe environment. As with all the Aberdeen FC coaching programmes, the emphasis will be on enjoyment, learning new skills, meeting new friends and participating in many small sided games.

Looking for information on our Soccer Schools?

For more information on any of the courses or to book, please contact (01224) 63 1903

All coaches are SFA Licensed or SFA Accredited and Disclosure checked.

FOOTBALL CENTRES

Dons in the Community run an extensive Football Centre Programme throughout the region during the school term time, providing youngsters the chance to learn from the club’s coaches on a weekly basis. The sessions have the primary focus on developing technique and small sided games.

A carefully structured coaching programme including some of the most modern skill practices will ensure the participants will be developing their football ability in a fun and safe environment. All Football Centres are open to boys and girls aged 5 – 12 years, regardless of ability levels. All coaches are SFA Licensed or accredited to a minimum of Level 2 and have completed an enhanced Disclosure Scotland check.

There is also programmes running for Mini Kickers age 3-5 years, Goalkeeping sessions for 7 – 16 years as well as disability football for children and adults.

Bookings can be made for one or two blocks or on a weekly basis. There is also a 50% discount for extra siblings (when block booking only).

We are currently accepting bookings so call 01224 63 1903 to book your place.

FOOTBALL FANS IN TRAINING

Aberdeen FC are now recruiting for the next delivery of Football Fans in Training which starts on Tuesday 4th February 2014.

FFIT is a fun-filled 12 week programme aimed at improving men’s health and wellbeing, while providing them with a behind-the-scenes look at the Club. The FREE weekly sessions at Pittodrie are split between classroom health education and physical activity training; all sessions are delivered by AFC Coaches using the club’s facilities.

AFC Manager Derek McInnes said: “One of our priorities at Aberdeen FC is the health and wellbeing of our faithful supporters. We welcome the opportunity to enhance the lifestyles of the Dons fans through Aberdeen FFIT 2014.”

This is a great opportunity to get involved with your Football Club and help you live a healthier and more active life. The programme is open to men aged between 35-65 who fit any of the following criteria:

– BMI of 28+ – Belly 40 inches + – Trouser waist size of 38 inches +

If you are keen to get involved or want more information on Football Fans in Training, please register your interest with our newly appointed Community Projects Officer, David Smith, by emailing [email protected] or calling (01224) 650456 (Please leave your contact details when registering your interest!).

Below are the participants from a previous Football Fans In Training Programme:

BANK OF SCOTLAND MIDNIGHT LEAGUES

Bank of Scotland Midnight Leagues programme which offers youngsters of the North East the chance to enjoy free Saturday night football.  The diversionary football project, run in conjunction with Police Scotland, Strikers Indoor Football, AFCITC, Stagecoach Bluebird, the Scottish FA and the Cashback for Communities scheme, offers all S1-S5 pupils in the Aberdeen area access to take part in the active and enjoyable 5-a-side games programme.

The objective of the Bank of Scotland Midnight Leagues is to reduce anti-social behaviour whilst engendering a community spirit and building good relations between local police officers and young people across Scotland.

The 2014 season of Bank of Scotland Midnight Football will start on Saturday 11th January and will again be held at Strikers Indoor Football. The event is split into two age groups – 1st and 2nd year pupils and then 3rd, 4th and 5th years with the winners of each group going forward to represent Aberdeen at regional finals.

The event is free for those participating and also includes free transport from their school to the venue and back again at the end of the session. This is provided by Stagecoach.

Police Scotland take an active role in overseeing the transport to and from Strikers and the games at Strikers to ensure the safety of all involved.

For further information and to complete your application form speak to your School Liason Officer, visit www.strikersfootball.com or alternatively contact Sergeant Karen Main as detailed above.

STILL GAME

‘Still Game’, the SPFL TRUST funded 10 week activities programme for over 65’s which runs in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen, is about to commence its third block at Pittodrie Stadium with more than twenty participants taking part in week one. The weekly sessions at Pittodrie Stadium include components on healthy eating and physical activity among other topics.

The Still Game programme which is being supported through partnership working with Aberdeen City Council’s Wellbeing Team is free, aims to engage with the more vulnerable and isolated population, those who would most benefit from some social interaction and activities which boost mental and emotional wellbeing.

Anyone who would like to take part in the current block of ‘Still Game’ should contact AFC in the Community on 01224 650423.

TARTAN ARMY CHILDREN’S CHARITY (TACC) FOOTY TEA

Local youngsters from Seaton Primary School are given the opportunity to dine like their favourite Dons player thanks to a free football club being offered by Aberdeen FC.

More than 20 primary school children are participating in a weekly club from August 2013 to June 2014 at Pittodrie after it received funding from the Tartan Army Children’s Charity.

On behalf of Scotland’s football supporters, TACC financially supports educational, sports, health and welfare related children’s projects in Scotland and in the countries where the National team play.Since 2006 TACC has raised over £650’000 to support vulnerable children.

The children from Seaton receive an hour of free football coaching from the AFC in the Community team at Aberdeen Sports Village before making their way to Pittodrie to have their dinner in the Players canteen.

As well as learning how to dribble the ball like Peter Pawlett and score a goal like Niall McGinn, the pupils from Seaton will be taught a number of life skills, including how to set a dining table and help with cleaning dishes after their meals.

TECHNOGYM

Technogym is low intensity exercise classes for over 65’s. The Easy Line equipment is designed for those that are not used to using gym equipment, and encourages older people to undertake some form of physical activity. Technogym equipment does not use great weights with the emphasis instead being on gentle lifting and pushing, with the machines based on a hydraulic system.

Sessions are running from Pittodrie Stadium in partnership with ACC Health & Wellbeing team on Wednesday mornings 9am – 12noon. These sessions start on the 12th February.

WALKING FOOTBALL

AFITC in Partnership with Sport Aberdeen currently run a Walking Football session for over 50’s every Thursday morning from 10-11.00am at Torry Sports Centre, Oscar Road, Aberdeen, AB11 8ER.

The weekly 5-a-side games session is exactly the same as the normal game however there is no running! This lower impact version of football doesn’t have the same impact on the knee’s and joints and is a great way to keep active, there is also a social side to the game and many of the participants enjoy a bit of banter and a cup of tea afterwards.

Cost is £2 per session, including your tea or coffee. For more information on Walking Football or to get involved please contact Stephen Gammack at Sport Aberdeen on 01224 577738 or David Smith at AFC on 01224 456.

MUSIC BOX

Music Box has been running since 2012, and is funded by the SPFL. We run one music session a week on a Thursday evening from 6pm – 7.30pm at Aberdeen Foyer.

The Foyer looks to engage with young people whom are struggling to engage in education, or are homeless, or who have learning difficulties and are looking to enhance their self-confidence and learn new skills. Music is a good way for young folk to express themselves, make new friends, and develop literacy and numeracy skills as well. A lot of the young folk that attend the sessions are not interested in football, are disengaged with a lot of services within the community, but through music they have found something they enjoy and gives them something to go and speak to their families and friends about.

The Foyer looks to engage with young people whom are struggling to engage in education, or are homeless, or who have learning difficulties and are looking to enhance their self-confidence and learn new skills. Music is a good way for young folk to express themselves, make new friends, and develop literacy and numeracy skills as well. A lot of the young folk that attend the sessions are not interested in football, are disengaged with a lot of services within the community, but through music they have found something they enjoy and gives them something to go and speak to their families and friends about.