THE outdoor track and field season began on April 9 at Dam Park in Ayr with an open graded meet.

This was not only the first event of the season for many North Ayrshire Athletics Club competitors, but the first taste of competitive athletics for some of the youngsters.

After a record breaking indoor campaign which saw almost 70 compete in the indoor league hopes were high that this momentum would carry on despite this event being during the Easter holidays.

Forty athletes competed for NAAC over a total of 114 events with an impressive 29 medals attained.

There were numerous personal bests and some fantastic performances throughout the day.

Multi-medal winners included Dylan Gee, Shannon Brown, Jessie Caig, Lewis Vick, Sean Donnelly, Ben Burns, Aidan Brindley and Jilly Lefebvre.

The club are now operating with more members and coaches than ever before and the enjoyment on the faces of the athletes, particularly the newbies, was enough to satisfy the growing band of volunteers that all their work is worthwhile.

Under-15 coach Nikki Caig said: “It’s fantastic to see so many new faces competing today and great to see their families here to offer support. We all get a great deal of satisfaction from watching the kids grow in confidence and self belief - long may it continue."

Participation in such events is only possible due to a fantastic group of coaches, administrators and parents who give up their spare time to allow North Ayrshire to compete.