The Village of Aberchirder, with its population of around 1200 people (rising to 2500 with the surrounding rural areas) has boasted sports activities for the past century and beyond.
The local football team (St Marnans F.C.) was formed in the late 1800’s and named after a Celtic missionary who founded the Parish of Marnoch (the surrounding rural area) in the 7th Century.
The Village hosts an annual flower and sports show, which is run by Foggie Flower Show Committee and is a major event in the local area, attracting around 5000 visitors each year (see links Foggie Flower Show). The village also hosts an annual gala, which includes a football gala attracting some 50 teams each year, and is one of only a few galas in the area to enjoy both girls and boys football.
Aberchirder has had a range of football teams, offering coaching and competition in local leagues for both boys and girls of primary school age, for the past 15 years. These teams were organised by a variety of different community groups. In April 2005 these groups agreed they could be more effective if they worked together and so, St Marnans Sports Club was formed. The main aims of the club are to oversee the running of all sports activities within the village, in a professional and safe manner, to aid communication between the different groups, to share fundraising ideas and efforts and to look to enhance sports facilities and equipment within the village and surrounding areas, up to 21st Century standards.
St Marnans Sports Club boasts a strong committee of 18 people from all walks of life. We have 15 qualified voluntary coaches.
Membership is currently 100+ and as we increase the range of sporting activities available this figure is sure to rise.
St Marnans Sports Club currently offers football coaching and competitive matches for girls and boys of primary school age and for adults , goalkeeping training, netball and badminton for children in primary classes 4, 5, 6 & 7, young adults of secondary school age and adults of all ages. We are currently working towards setting up a walking group and a boxing club, following interest shown in these areas.
Facilities within the village and surrounding areas are limited. Whilst maintaining the day to day running of the club, which includes keeping coaches up to date with training as well as ensuring each group has the required equipment, St Marnans Sports Clubs main project is to provide the village and surrounding areas with much needed recreational and sporting facilities. The buildings currently used are limited by space, they are not modern buildings and they are only available for limited times. Our vision is to provide a purpose built, modern building, as an extension to the current pavilion, which will provide up to date facilities and provide the area with a multi-functional building to provide sport, leisure, recreation and educational facilities for the whole community. (see project section for further details of this exciting vision).
St Marnans Sports Club is affiliated to Scottish Youth F.A., Aberdeenshire Sports Council, Aberdeen & District Juvenile F.A.
All training sessions are run by qualified coaches, who have current first aid training and have been screened for their suitability in working with young people. St Marnans Sports Club has a very stringent Child Protection Policy and a designated Child Protection Officer, who undertakes Enhanced Disclosure checks on all coaches and volunteers. The Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the notice boards at the Community Pavilion & Aberchirder Primary School.
St Marnans Sports Club committee:
Jan Skyner: Chairperson & Child Protection Officer
Helen McNamee: Vice Chairperson & Nursery/P1 coach
Adrian Inglis: Secretary, P4/5 boys coach & badminton coach
Billy Forrest: Treasurer and P2/3 boys coach
Amanda Allan: P2/4 girls coach
Martin Allan: P2/4 girls coach
Davie Chalmers: Aberchirder & district Community Association representative
Mark Chalmers: senior team representative
Willie McKinnon: P6/7 boys Coach
Scott Chalmers: P6/7 boys coach
Tracy Duncan: Netball coach
Carol Gregor: Parent volunteer
Duncan Henderson: P5/7 girls coach
Lenny Inglis: P4/5 boys coach & goalkeeping coach
Keith McLean: P5/7 girls coach
Darren Michie: P2/3 boys coach
Euan Morrison: Parent volunteer
Neil Murray: P5/7 girls coach
Committee meetings are held once a month in the Community Pavilion, if you would like to join the committee or offer your support in any way please contact us.