Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club Earns Charitable Status

After much preparation by the club’s volunteers and a significant application process, on 13 May 2020 Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club (AAAC) was added to the Scottish Charity Register as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).

According to Club Manager, Brian Pahlmann, the committee’s decision to change from a Community Amateur Sports Club was made to provide further protection for the club and its members by being incorporated, further tax advantages, and hopefully, more fundraising opportunities.

Commonwealth Games medallist and club president, Mark Davidson, stated “there appears to be somewhat of a trend among athletics clubs and other sports clubs becoming SCIOs.  While AAAC should not just follow the crowd, AAAC has a tradition of being progressive and a leader among athletics clubs.  There may be no current or urgent reason for AAAC to change but doing so could create opportunities for the future.  Despite being nearly 70 years old, being a SCIO might also improve the club’s sustainability.”

These advantages and opportunities may prove especially beneficial as sports clubs react and adapt to the coronavirus and the likely new normal in its wake.

Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club typically hosts training sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Aberdeen Sports Village for athletes aged 9 years and up.  The club also has plans to expand its training offerings into the community as well as its disability athletics programmes.