Milestones
Key points in the Denis Law Legacy Trust story.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Unsung hero.
Dave Thompson, a long-term Streetsport volunteer from Aberdeen was nominated as a finalist for the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in the Unsung Hero category.
Dave Thompson, 54, is a regular volunteer at both Streetsport, which is ran in partnership with Robert Gordon University, and Befriend a Child. Dave has also undertaken several fundraising runs for the charity during his time with Streetsport, like tackling the 50-mile Assynt Traverse.
On the honour, Dave said “Personally, it is great to be nominated but I enjoy what I do regardless of whether I get an award or not. I feel a winner doing what I’m doing anyway.”
Cruyff Court Denis Law twinned with Peace Field in Flanders.
A sports hub in Aberdeen has been twinned with the site of the famous World War One 1914 Christmas truce.
The moving ceremony saw Cruyff Court Denis Law, on Catherine Street in Aberdeen city centre, twinned with the Peace Field in Flanders, Belgium in a celebration of peace and the good that sport can bring to young people.
The twinning is an initiative between Aberdeen City Council, Denis Law Legacy Trust, National Children’s Football Alliance and the Peace Fields Project and promotes the use of sport as a tool to bring people of all backgrounds and differences together.
Cruyff Court Denis Law, already Scotland’s first Cruyff Court, is now Scotland’s first football pitch to be twinned with Flanders Peace Field - where rival troops came together in 1914 to play football during a pause in World War One hostilities.
The ceremony, which Denis Law CBE himself attended, included speeches from each partner, the Gordon Highlander pipers and a formal blessing of the Cruyff Court from local Minister Callum Shinnie of Kings Community Church. Jim Clark, chairman, from the Legion Scotland Aberdeen Branch also spoke.
22 pupils, two from each academy school in Aberdeen, then presented the poem “In Flanders Field” on the Cruyff Court before a Peace Pledge, which they contributed towards, was officially signed to create a lasting and impactful legacy.
Read the full release and view more images here.
Denis Law ‘Legend’ statue unveiled by Sir Alex Ferguson.
A bronze statue of footballing legend Denis Law CBE has been unveiled by The King himself in the heart of his home city of Aberdeen.
The ceremony included a welcome from the Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, followed by a few words by Denis, former Dons and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and dear friend of Denis and David Suttie, Trustee of the Denis Law Legacy Trust.
The statue is sited at the gable end of Provost Skene's House (PSH), which recently re-opened as a new visitor attraction after the city council's £3.8m renovation.
It was sculpted by Alan Herriot, who was also commissioned by the council to create the statue of King Robert the Bruce outside nearby Marischal College.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “The people of Aberdeen hold Denis Law very close to their hearts and this statue represents appreciation of a local lad done good. Denis is a remarkable man, not only for his outstanding achievements on the football pitch for clubs and country, but for the fantastic charity work he has done over the decades especially through the Denis Law Legacy Trust.
Denis said: “I have to again express how humbled I am that this statue has been unveiled in my beloved Aberdeen. The city and people of Aberdeen have always meant so much to me and this truly a great honour. To be joined by so many of my family and friends, including Sir Alex, just makes it all the more special.
“I would like to thank them all for joining me today and also to Aberdeen City Council and Denis Law Legacy Trust for this fantastic tribute which goes way beyond my wildest dreams.”
Aberdeen’s second Cruyff Court Neale Cooper opens in Torry.
Following Scotland’s first Cruyff Court being unveiled in Aberdeen in 2017, late 2019 saw the welcome addition of the city’s second: Cruyff Court Neale Cooper.
Built in partnership with the Cruyff Foundation and Aberdeen City Council, the brand-new sports court has replaced a decrepit artificial surface next to Tullos Primary School on Girdleness Road in Torry.
The official opening in November attracted a large audience and a host of well-known, smiling faces, a fitting testament to the legacy of Cooper who brightened the lives of so many with both his personality and footballing prowess.
Neale’s son, Alex, in attendance with other members of his family, said: “We are proud to see dad’s memory being honoured in this way and to be part of the opening celebrations.
“Football was a huge part of his life from a young age and provided so many wonderful opportunities - we know Cruyff Court Neale Cooper will provide the next generation with the same chance to play and thrive.
“It’s a great facility and the emphasis on fun and enjoyment is something dad would wholeheartedly endorse.”
The Court, the biggest of its kind worldwide, was officially kicked-off with a penalty scored by Alex Cooper against goalkeeping icon Jim Leighton.
Graham Hunter compered the event while members of the Gothenburg Greats, ex-Barcelona, Tottenham and Aberdeen player Steve Archibald and, of course, footballing legend and patron of the charity, Denis Law, were among those to attend.
Chairman of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, Graham Thom, said: “We’re delighted to be marking the opening of Aberdeen’s second Cruyff Court and to be honouring the memory of Neale Cooper, one of the city’s most-loved sporting sons.
“The investment made by the Council and the Cruyff Foundation has created a wonderful facility and through our Streetsport team we look forward to bringing a range of activities to the community, with support and encouragement to get involved and enjoy new opportunities.”
Niels Meijer, director of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, said: “We’re very happy to open the Cruyff Court Neale Cooper thanks to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Aberdeen City Council and the Denis Law Legacy Trust.
“It feels good to honour the legend Neale Cooper this way. The first Cruyff Court in Aberdeen has proven its impact and we’re excited to create more safe spaces in Scotland. This will be a huge enrichment for the community of Tullos for at least 10 years.”
More media coverage and quotes: Aberdeen CC | Cruyff Foundation | Evening Express | Northsound | P&J | STV |
Scotland’s first Cruyff Court names after Denis Law.
Scotland’s first ever Cruyff Court – a renowned multi-use community facility – reached completion in February 2017 having being handed over by Hunter Construction.
The Catherine Street Court, previously a run-down and under-used urban space within the city centre, has been transformed into a hi-tech, all-weather play and activity area for families in the surrounding community and the wider Aberdeen area.
Named ‘Cruyff Court Denis Law’; in honour of Aberdeen’s very own Ballon d’Or winner Denis Law and Dutch footballing legend Johan Cruyff, the facility will provide a modern interpretation of the good old community football pitch – a safe place that encourages young people to enjoy sport.
Denis Law and Niels Meijer of the Cruyff Foundation at the first Cruyff Court opening at Catherine Street.
To date there are more than 230 Cruyff Courts in more than 20 countries around the world, which support thousands of young people to be active every week.
Aberdeen City Council, in partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust and the Johan Cruyff Foundation, came together to bring the initiative to the Granite City with a commitment of £200,000 between all three organizations.
Credit: ACC. Simon Wood of Cruyff Foundation, Jenny Laing & Douglas Lumsden of ACC, Graham Thom, Denis Law, David Suttie & Mark Williams of DLLT.
Denis Law, back in his home city at the Denis Law Legacy Trust’s annual fundraising dinner, said: “I am extremely proud to be associated with the work done by the Denis Law Legacy Trust and Streetsport in areas of Aberdeen where young people need to be encouraged to be the best they can.”
Graham Thom, chairman of the Denis Law Legacy trust said: "This is another significant step for the Denis Law Legacy Trust-back Streetsport initiative and we continue our efforts to take sport into the heart of communities and engage with young people in a way that will help them on a number of fronts. The new facility in Tullos will, we believe, prove meaningful for that part of Aberdeen and we hope the people there will recognise its importance for the wellbeing of a wide range of residents.”
UK Pride of Sport Winners.
Denis Law Legacy Trust and Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Streetsport initiative were proud recipitents of a prestigious accolade at the National Pride of Sport Awards held in London.
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.
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.
“To be recognised at a national level, with this latest accolade is a massive tribute to all the hard work our volunteers carry out every day across Aberdeen city.”
- Mark Williams, Denis Law Legacy Trust Chief Operating Officer.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
In June 2017, Streetsport was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The award is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups, and is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities.
The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Denis Law Legacy Trust Chief Operating Officer, Mark Williams, commented:
“The Queen’s award is a fantastic 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.”
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.
Sir Martyn Lewis, the Queen’s Award Committee Chair, said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups. The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”
Read the full press release here
Prince Harry visits Streetsport.
Prince Harry paid a visit to Robert Gordon University (RGU) as part of his first official visit to Aberdeen to learn about some of the vital work being done by a number of the city’s leading youth development projects.
His Royal Highness was in the north-east as part of a tour of community sport groups organised by the UK’s leading Sport for Social Change charity, Sported, as part of their support for the Prince’s work to further his understanding of how sport can be used as a platform for education, training, employment and personal development.
During his time with the award winning Streetsport initiative, Prince Harry received a briefing on the programme of weekly sports and creative activity sessions and how it helps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across Aberdeen.
He then met Streetsport coaches and volunteers, and was greeted by more than 100 pupils from Kaimhill Primary School who were taking part in a range of sporting activities that the project offers.
Cameron Craddock, Co-founder of Streetsport and Senior Lecturer at RGU’s Gray’s School of Art, said: “Streetsport was initiated by Police Scotland and Robert Gordon University ten years ago as part of a joint community engagement project and we are delighted to highlight our work to Prince Harry on this first official visit to Aberdeen.
Read the full press release here.
