RGU Streetsport triumphs at National Pride of Sport Awards

The Denis Law Legacy Trust and Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Streetsport initiative has won a prestigious accolade at the 2017 National Pride of Sport Awards, held in London last week. 

Streetsport came out as the winner of the TSB Community Partner award, which recognises a group of people who have worked together in partnership as a force for good in their local community, to improve the lives of people around them through sport, supporting young people to thrive and to bring communities together to make a difference.

The Streetsport programme, run by the Denis Law Legacy Trust and RGU in partnership with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, is a non-profit initiative which aims to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behaviour while helping develop the employability and aspirations of young people in Aberdeen.

Streetsport volunteers have helped provide free of charge sport and creative activity sessions for young people throughout Aberdeen City by deploying mobile activity arenas directly into local communities and operating during peak times of anti-social behaviour.

In 2016 there were over 12,500 participations from young people throughout Aberdeen.

Streetsport Chief Operating Officer, Mark Williams, commented: “This latest accolade, and to be recognised at a national level, is a massive tribute to all the work our volunteers do every day across Aberdeen.

“Our various programmes are a success only due to the commitment and effort our volunteers put in and we are all very proud and thankful for their contributions.

“Our main aim is to support and empower young people to be confident, capable, independent and responsible citizens within their own communities and to be given this award shows we have made tremendous headway.”

The Streetsport team was recognised earlier in the year when they picked up a The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups and the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities.

The Pride of Sport awards are all about 'celebrating and recognising the unsung heroes of grassroots sport'. The national awards highlight people who have contributed to sport at a local or national level, across all walks of life.?