NORTH AYRSHIRE Athletics Club have been recognised at national level for all of their hard work and dedication.

The club was awarded ‘Impact Club of the Year’ in this year’s Scottish Athletics Awards in recognition of the tremendous strides the club have made in a short period of time.

The club received the award at a glamorous event held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Saturday night, holding off stiff competition from athletics clubs all over Scotland to win the coveted award.

The win underpins the outstanding work delivered by the club and puts them on a national stage of excellence.

The last year has seen the club grow from strength to strength with a number of achievements both on and off the track.

The pinnacle of the club’s performance was undoubtedly the team effort to become League Winners in the Central and South Scotland Athletics League, a remarkable feat considering this was only the second time the club had competed. They won every meet to win the league by a huge margin and gain promotion to division two.

Both the indoor and outdoor season saw a record number of teams compete for the club at regional and national events in all age groups, including the under 11 girls team who set the standard for the track performances by bagging the bronze medal in the national indoor league.

Major achievements for the club included the delivery of an athletics programme to every primary school in north Ayrshire, arranging the first ever primary school athletics championship and improving the facilities at the club with the addition of a huge multi-purpose deck area. The club also organised the ‘Race the Prom’ 10k and family fun run in September, which saw over 1,000 people descending on the clubs base at the track at St Matthew’s Academy in Saltcoats.

The club has grown from having 30 members three years ago to now having 120 members, and a further 130 ‘casual users’ who use the club every week for mini athletics, the club access programme and JogScotland.

Delighted Club Vice Chair, Michael Murray, picked up the award on Saturday. He said: “This is a massive achievement for the club; there are hundreds of athletics clubs throughout Scotland doing some amazing things, so even to be shortlisted was a huge achievement. We are growing at an extraordinary rate and the dedication shown by the small group of volunteers who run the club training nights, events and behind the scenes work is phenomenal.”

Club Chairman Blair Pettigrew, who picked up ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the same event last year, was quick to thank some of the club’s partners, he said: “The club wouldn't be where it was without the guidance and support of North Ayrshire Council, in particular Audrey Sutton and John McKnight who have bought in to our vision and have supported us every step of the way. KA Leisure has been pivotal too; Laura, Colin, Fiona, Stephen, Scot and John have all encouraged and assisted in the growth of what is quite rightly now recognised as one the the most progressive forward thinking clubs in Scotland. A final thanks to all the members and

those who attend at our sessions and events, our community club simply wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all of them. Thank you to you all”

North Ayrshire Council Leader Willie Gibson commented: “This is a fantastic achievement and fully merited. What I admire about the club is their inclusive and welcoming attitude. They have a range of members from top-class competitive runners to beginners, but all of whom feel very important and valued.

"As a Council we are keen to promote healthy and active lifestyles so I've taken a keen interest in them over the years and been genuinely inspired by some of their success stories. They are a real shining example of the legacy left by the Commonwealth Games.

"I think my running days are behind me but this well-deserved award should inspire others to join up and get involved."

Colin Glencorse, Business Manager at KA Leisure, commented: “KA Leisure would like to congratulate North Ayrshire Athletics Club on their tremendous success in being awarded Scottish Athletics’ Impact Club of the Year. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with North Ayrshire Athletics Club and wish them continued success.”

With the support of North Ayrshire Council and KA Leisure, North Ayrshire Athletics Club was the first club in Scotland to gain two salaried members of staff through SportScotland's Direct Club Investment Programme. The part-time posts of Community Coach and Development Officer have allowed the club to flourish from a small local club to one who is shining a light on the sport of athletics and driving improvement in health, fitness and wellbeing throughout North Ayrshire.

For further details on North Ayrshire Athletics Club, look on the club’s facebook page, website www.naathletics.co.uk or email info@naathletics.co.uk.