It was an historic moment for sport in North Ayrshire this week as a four-way agreement was signed to further develop the participation in athletics in the area.

In a giant leap forward for North Ayrshire Athletics Club, funding has now been secured to fund two paid-for positions.

The progressive club, which is currently run entirely by volunteers, is the only club in Scotland to have been successful in gaining funding for two positions at the same time.

The funding, which has been provided by a partnership programme between sportscotland, Scottish Athletics, KA Leisure and North Ayrshire Council, will pay for a Community Coach who will mentor existing young athletes and coaches at the club as well as deliver a three week programme of athletics to every primary school child in North Ayrshire. The second position, a Club Development Officer, will work to expand the capacity within the club by increasing volunteers, coaches, parent helpers and revenue streams.

Blair Pettigrew, North Ayrshire Athletics Club Chairperson and British Athletics Volunteer of the Year, is over the moon that the club’s vision for developing athletics in North Ayrshire is fast becoming a reality.  He commented: “As it stands, every coach, committee member and helper at the club does so voluntarily, most of whom have given up hundreds of hours of their own time to help the club get to where it is now. So this application is to have two paid employees from the Direct Club Investment Programme is a huge step forward for us.

“North Ayrshire Athletics Club is already known on the national stage and we firmly believe that over the next three years athletics will have the highest number of participants for any sport in North Ayrshire. The key disciplines of running, jumping and throwing are core movements for any sport and to provide every child expert tuition within school time is a great achievement for the club. We are extremely grateful to our four partners for this funding and for helping to make the club’s vision a reality.” Scottish Athletics Regional Development Officer, Lindsay McMahon, said: “To have North Ayrshire involved in the Club Together Programme is great news and will help support the development of the club. The progress they have made both on and off the track over the past 18 months is fantastic; with these two posts in place, the sky really is the limit for them.” Laura Barrie, Business Manager for KA leisure said: “We are delighted to strengthen our already strong links with North Ayrshire Athletics Club and we will continue to work with them to increase opportunities in the sport for people of all ages and abilities throughout North Ayrshire.” Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, said: “The health and well-being of our communities is of paramount importance to the council and sport plays a huge part in that.  “We were delighted to support North Ayrshire Athletics Club. They do a fantastic job for athletes of all levels whether they are competing competitively or simply running for the enjoyment that exercise brings.  “Now they are able to appoint two paid-for members of staff, the service they provide will be even better and hopefully attract even more members.” Look out on the club’s facebook page and website www.naathletics.co.uk for further details, or email info@naathletics.co.uk for further details.