ABERDEEN Sports Village has announced the launch of the 2020 Aberdeen Corporate Games with a challenge for more businesses to join the battle for the top spot.
The inaugural Games in 2019 attracted 17 teams from organisations across the region with more than 800 employees taking part in a series of sporting events, totalling almost 110,000 minutes of physical exercise.
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Organisers at ASV have now opened registration for next year’s Games which will kick off with a fitness challenge in February, followed by nine months of competitive sporting events.
Two new events and a fresh running challenge have been added to the sports list, which includes volleyball, badminton, football, swimming, table tennis and diving at ASV’s aquatics centre.
The initiative is aimed at helping local businesses to promote a healthy and active workforce. Reports suggest that promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace could save businesses an estimated £1600 per year, per employee, with reduced stress, depression and anxiety, less risk of back pain, reduction in sick leave, fewer industrial injuries and lower staff turnover.
Launching the initiative, Kyle Greig, Corporate Wellness Manager at ASV, said: “This year we had a great number of teams enter for the first year and it was a huge success, but we are looking forward to welcoming more businesses to join the ranks for the 2020 Aberdeen Corporate Games. We had some brilliant feedback from competitors and many of our teams have already signed up for a second year, including Spirit Energy, who are the current champions and are looking to retain their title!
“The activities and the training for the various events really encourage team building and staff camaraderie, as well as bring obvious health benefits which could save businesses money in the long run as they are investing in their workforce health and wellbeing.”
Natalie Chan, buyer for Spirit Energy, said: “The Games really brought everyone in our business together and we managed to get to know a lot more of our colleagues from different departments. We reached the top of the leaderboard fairly early this year so the pressure was on to remain there and all of our team captains did their best to achieve the winning spot. We are coming back this year to defend our title so the other teams will have to raise their game.”
Senior mechanical engineer at Spirit Energy, Tolu Amosu, added: “Taking part in the Games this year promoted really good team interaction and camaraderie. It was a fantastic opportunity to get fit and have fun at the same time, whilst working as a team player. We had almost 100 people from the company taking part in the series of sporting events and everyone took great pride in representing the company. As the current champions, we are looking forward to the 2020 Games and we will be in it to win it!”
ASV is looking to smash last year’s Corporate Games facts which saw 5680km ran, 123 goals scored, 2200 dives and 12,200 ping pongs hit!
Businesses can enter as many teams as they wish with squad numbers no lower than eight for the larger events for a minimum donation of £2200 (+VAT) per team.
Launched as a charity in 2009, ASV boasts a state-of-the-art gym, more than 100 group exercise classes, an eight-lane 400m track, a six-lane indoor running straight, squash courts and sports studios. The world-class Aquatics Centre offers access to an Olympic standard 50m pool, 25m pool and full diving facilities, including springboard and platforms up to 10m and two health and relaxation suites.
With a focus on providing everyone in the city’s communities with access to first-class sporting facilities, ASV works to inspire anyone to achieve their fitness goals and deliver a range of activities for children from ages 0-15 up to the Evergreen over 60’s programme.
