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Aside from this, the club currently runs a community programme, delivering free athletics during the week in areas of high deprivation in the city, in the Decile 1 and 2 of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). This includes taking them away from difficult to access areas such as athletics tracks.

The club applied for funding through Athletics Trust Scotland’s Transforming Lives grant to support the extension of this community programme to their summer camps, making them accessible to all children.

Athletics Trust Scotland granted funds to Aberdeen AAC to deliver this programme, which has been met with a positive response.

“We wanted with this grant to be able to invite these children to participate in the summer camp at Aberdeen Sports Village, so at an athletics track with a long jump pit, with a high jump mat, etc. because we’re getting them to take part in athletics, but they’ve not had that opportunity of the full thing,” said Aberdeen AAC Club Manager, Jane Davidson.

Bringing Athletics to the Children

We were delighted to fund the summer camps to ensure these children had the opportunity to continue being active over the school holidays, with 40 children registered and the vast majority then attending.

This decision was made as the club looked at their membership statistics and realised there was a low turnout amongst those from D1 and D2 SIMD areas, with the track situated in one of these areas.

“The initial idea was to go into these areas and increase the opportunity for them to try athletics,” said Jane.

“That’s a really long process to kind of get the full circle. We’ve had a few club members come through, however, the camp was a really good opportunity for familiarisation of the track setting, which is another step in getting closer to feeling like they belong at the track, and could become a club member.

“It‘s primary school children that we’re dealing with, so I feel like it’s not quite ingrained in them yet, that culture. It’s important for us to go in and show them that athletics is fun and is cool.”

Creating Opportunities Off the Track

Jane, who is an international athlete and sits sixth on the Scottish all-time list in the women’s 100m hurdles, coaches at the sessions and likes to act as a role model along with other young coaches to show the appeal of athletics.

There is also a push to recruit local volunteers, including from secondary schools, with a pathway to become coaching assistants and possible employment opportunities. She adds that she has been proud to see these young people gain confidence as coaches, and shares her pride over children continuing to turn up.

“Success for us, is just that each week they’re coming back,” said Jane, “I think that sounds so basic, but for some of these kids, their one hour athletics with us each week might be the only extracurricular that they do.

“When I launched the summer camps last year, you never know how it’s going to go, so to see such large numbers from the community register to come to the Sports Village for the camp was really great for all our coaches to see.

“I think we were just as excited as they were to kind of see them come to the track. They were like in awe of what this is. This is like what we’re practising for in the game halls to come and jump in this sandpit.

“We want to see the athletes stick around in athletics, whether that’s on the track competing or coaching with us in some sort of capacity.”

“I think for us it was about exposing these children to the world-class facility at the Aberdeen Sports Village,” said Jane, “Many of them might not feel they maybe see that out of reach for them sometimes.

“That funding allowed us to make that booking, have our coaches and give them hours of athletics at this facility that they wouldn’t have had during their summer holidays if we didn’t have the funding.

“Programmes and money like this is really important for us.”

She said one of the key points to stress is to not fall on generalisations when thinking of a city’s makeup. Aberdeen is a city with a high GDP per capita, but also an area that has many citizens affected by poverty.

“Aberdeen, we take a lot of pride,” said Jane, “A lot of people think Aberdeen’s an affluent and well-off area, but obviously every city has their places.

“I think our clubs takes pride in our community programme and making sure that everyone has access.

“We’ve got one big track and it’s down to us to make sure everyone has access to that.”

The post Aberdeen AAC’s ambition to make athletics accessible for all appeared first on Athletics Trust Scotland.

Deborah Roe, Rob Tate and Fraser MacKenzie have been selected from a high-quality field of candidates, each bringing expertise in their respective areas.

 Their appointments to the Board shows ambition from the Trust to push forward, heading into an exciting year that will feature the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Athletics Trust Scotland Chair, Graeme Jack, said: “Deborah, Fraser and Rob’s experience, knowledge and passion for helping people to participate in running and athletics, shines through and we’re delighted to welcome them as Trustees.

“The next phase in Athletics Trust Scotland work, will include working even more closely with clubs, event organisers, athletes and grant funding organisations.

“Together with our amazing running and athletics community, there’s no doubt that we can build on the Trust’s early successes and transform lives throughout the country.”

Fraser MacKenzie

A former sprinter and multiple-time Scottish medallist from East Kilbride AC, Fraser bring 15 years of experience in the sports and leisure industries, understanding the power of sport to change lives, and is currently Head of Sales and Commercial Development at Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.

Aside from this, Fraser played a pivotal part in saving the athletics track at Grangemouth Stadium, serving on the Board of Trustees for Grangemouth Community Trust; and holds a Masters degree in Sports Management and honours in Sports Coaching.

Fraser said: “I am profoundly looking forward to supporting the vital work of Athletics Trust Scotland, a mission I believe is deeply rooted in the truth that sport has the undeniable power to transform lives.

“Athletics, in particular, acts as a uniquely unifying force, building bridges for true community cohesion. Our support must be channelled with intention, specifically to better champion and empower underrepresented groups, ensuring that the transformative ‘finish line’ is genuinely accessible to every single person across Scotland.”

Deborah Roe

With over two decades of expertise in fundraising, Deborah brings a strong portfolio of knowledge to the charity and currently holds the role of Head of Fundraising and Development at the Society of Antiquaries Scotland.

A perfect example of athletics inspiring the public, Deborah took up sprinting as a Masters athlete after watching the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Initially, she trained with Para club Red Star AC and is now a member of Springburn Harriers.

Deborah said: “My passion for athletics began as a child when I first discovered I could sprint. Like many, I drifted away from the sport in my teenage years, but watching the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in my 40s reignited that spark. I remember thinking, ‘I used to do that!’ and that moment inspired me to return to the track as a Masters sprinter.

“Athletics has given me so much joy over the years. Joining Athletics Trust Scotland as a Trustee is my way of giving back. I am excited to combine my love of the sport with my professional fundraising experience to help support the Trust.”

Rob Tate

Rob has a background as an athlete and volunteer in aquatics, and now specialises in sports governance, having worked in the industry for over a decade.

Now he is the Head of Governance, Planning, and Risk at ParalympicsGB, playing a crucial part in supporting the success of Paralympic sport in the United Kingdom.

Rob said: “Athletics Trust Scotland has an important role to play in removing barriers to participation and leveraging the power of sport for social good in Scotland.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity to contribute, and look forward to working with the Trustees, Staff, and wider stakeholders in pursuit of the Trust’s ambitious objectives.”

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A huge thank you to our friends at West End Road Runners and Garscube Harriers for their festive fundraising for Athletics Trust Scotland!

West End Road Runners held their social Santa Run in fancy dress followed by mulled wine and mince pies, with members donating an incredible £140 on the day.

Garscube Harriers held their Santa Dash, bake sale and raffle in aid of Athletics Trust Scotland and their local food bank – their two charities for 2025 – and raised a fantastic £686 in total.

These two events have topped off a fabulous year of fundraising for Athletics Trust Scotland at both charities, with vital funds being raised through the two clubs’ mob match during Scottish Running Week in June and the Charlie Kilshaw Memorial Race in July. Their generosity reflects the importance both clubs place on community spirit and providing a fun, welcoming and inclusive space for people of all walks of life to enjoy being active.

If your club or jog group would like to get involved with Athletics Trust Scotland in the new year, contact our Head of Fundraising and Development Jenny Selman at info@athleticstrustscotland.org.uk for a chat about how your support could help.

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Congratulations to Kebba Sanneh for winning the Youth Community Champion Awards at the Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards!

Kebba is a Local Community Impact Leader, a role funded by Athletics Trust Scotland, to coach athletics to children and young people in the East End of Glasgow. The area is amongst the most deprived in Scotland, with 35% of children growing up in poverty. Without sessions like this one, which is run in partnership with our friends at Scottish Athletics and Scottish Sport Futures, many of these children and young people simply wouldn’t have the opportunity to have fun getting active in a safe and supportive environment.

Kebba brings bucket loads of enthusiasm, positivity and kindness to his role and is an excellent role model for the children and young people to look up to in their local community.

Thank you, Kebba, for helping us to transform lives through the power of athletics!

The post Congratulations, Kebba! appeared first on Athletics Trust Scotland.

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026

Do you want to race in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026 but missed general entries? You’re in luck as Athletics Trust Scotland has limited charity places for all distances from 5k to marathon!

Charity Places

With general entries for the marathon and half marathon having sold out, the only way to take part is to secure a charity place. Running for Athletics Trust Scotland means you’ll be supporting and empowering more people who face barriers to being active to reap the benefits of the sport you love!

We have charity places available across all events, with a discounted registration fee and minimum sponsorship requirement:

• Marathon – £500 minimum sponsorship and £20 registration fee
• Half marathon – £300 minimum sponsorship and £15 registration fee
• Relay – £500 minimum sponsorship and £20 registration fee (both per team)
• 10k – £150 minimum sponsorship and £10 registration fee
• 5k – £100 minimum sponsorship and £5 registration fee

Click here to secure your charity place.

Own Places

If you have already secured your own place in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival but you would like to fundraise for Athletics Trust Scotland, we would love for you to join our team! There are no minimum sponsorship targets for runners with their own place but everything you do raise will help support our work. Contact us at info@athleticstrustscotland.org.uk to confirm your support or ask any questions.

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It was another special evening at the Scottish Athletics 4J Studios Annual Awards in Glasgow on Saturday.

Once again, it was an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the individuals and clubs across the country who have achieved great things this year, as well as turn the spotlight on the wonderful volunteers who make the sport happen. Athletics Trust Scotland’s Head of Fundraising and Development, Jenny Selman, and Chair, Graeme Jack, were delighted to attend with some of the charity’s key supporters.

Jake Wightman was named Athlete of the Year, while Melanie Woods was named Para Athlete of the Year.

We were pleased to see friends and supporters of Athletics Trust Scotland receive awards, including Shettleston Harriers (who we work closely with on our free athletics sessions in the East End of Glasgow) win Off Track Club of the Year and Cumbernauld AAC (who use the Athletics Trust Scotland-funded National Wheelchair Racing Hub) win Track and Field Club of the Year.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Athletics Trust Scotland raffle on the night. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised an incredible £2,112!

Our raffle winners were:

• Ray Muslah
• Mike Downey
• Wendy Callendar
• Stephen Wallace
• Emma Palmet
• Graeme Brown
• Brendan Flood
• Paul Collins

The post Scottish Athletics 4J Studios Annual Awards appeared first on Athletics Trust Scotland.

Athletics Trust Scotland thanks David Ovens for his transformative impact, as he steps down as a Trustee on our Board following the expiration of his term.

David, who has just started a second term as Chair of Scottish Athletics, is an ardent supporter of making athletics more accessible and equitable. He has played a key role in setting our strategic direction – to transform lives through increasing participation in running and athletics – and has provided valuable support and counsel as we established plans to scale up our work following our launch in 2021.

A member of Fife AC, David also supports Steve Doig’s training group, which has produced two Paralympic champions in the form of Owen Miller in 2021 and Ben Sandilands in 2024.

In particular, we would like to David’s commitment to ATS, remaining on our Board while dealing with personal health issues.

On his departure, David said: “I am proud to have served on the Board of Athletics Trust Scotland and to have supported the organisation’s objectives, to promote inclusion and wellbeing across communities all over Scotland, through the sport of athletics.

“Under the leadership of its Chair, Graeme Jack, and its trustees, ATS has developed a clear and ambitious vision for how athletics can drive positive change in people’s lives. I look forward to seeing its impact continue to grow.”

Athletics Trust Scotland Chair, Graeme Jack, said: “I’m very grateful to David, and would like to record my thanks on behalf of the Board as he steps down. He played a key role in establishing this important charity for runners, then supporting it through its start up period. It’s now ready to build on its early successes, and he leaves ATS in great shape with exciting plans for the coming years.”

Thank you, David, and best wishes for the future!

The post Thank you, David Ovens! appeared first on Athletics Trust Scotland.

Inverclyde Athletic Club has once again donated £1,000 to Athletics Trust Scotland after its annual hosting of the Loch Thom Trail Race.

Race organiser and club captain Sean Gaffney handed over the donation to clubmate and ATS ambassador, John Bell, and Chair of the Board, Graeme Jack, at the Ravenscraig Stadium in Greenock.

The event started in 2024 and donates all proceeds to the charity. Both years the club has raised a fabulous £1,000, which contributes towards our work supporting communities who face barriers to being active to access opportunities to enjoy athletics and running.

“The mission here is to raise as much money as we can for Athletics Trust Scotland and, at the same time, highlight running in Inverclyde,” said Sean. “We might have one of the highest levels of poverty in Scotland, but we’ve got bags of talent and enthusiasm. We’ve got that terrain, we’ve got places to run, we’ve got great scenery. You can run right along next to the Clyde and if you time it right, you could be running along the Esplanade and see a pod of dolphins.”

“I saw it was going to be Scottish Running Week and I thought, why not? Let’s put it on that same week as well because Athletics Trust Scotland is just everything that I want in athletics.”

In the first edition of the race, the club had approximately 100 runners entered for the 7km kilometre course. This year, a 4km distance was added to make the event more accessible. The race has generated more interest from beginners in the local community and has led to the club developing sessions that accommodate different needs alongside their traditional club nights for more experienced runners.

“It’s been great to see the impact on people’s mental health. For people who have never run before, they come along to our group on a Wednesday, and they might have had a bad day at work, and they run, and they instantly notice how much better they feel after it.”

A huge thank you to our friends at Inverclyde AC and everyone who participated in the Loch Thom Trail Race. We’re so grateful for your support!

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Scotland Commonwealth Games athlete Jenny Selman has been appointed Head of Fundraising and Development for Athletics Trust Scotland, the charitable trust established by scottishathletics.

Athletics Trust Scotland raises funds to transform lives through participation in running, focusing on communities in poverty, people with disabilities and ethnically diverse communities.

Jenny, who represented Scotland at the Birmingham 2022 Games, will take up her new role later this month.

The Fife AC athlete joins ATS from Edinburgh Leisure after almost seven years as funding manager. Prior to that, she held fundraising roles for the Stroke Association and Worldwide Cancer Research after completing a law degree at Dundee University.

Jenny combined this with her successful career as an elite middle distance 800m and 1500m runner, including GB and NI honours and that Birmingham selection three years ago.

‘Jenny’s capabilities, knowledge and passion for the mission of ATS shines through and we can’t wait for her to take up this role,’ said Graeme Jack, Chair of Athletics Trust Scotland.

‘She knows through her own experience that participation unlocks life-changing benefits to people’s physical and mental health.

‘I am very confident that she will drive and champion the work of our young charity, as it scales up.’

ATS was established just over four years ago.

‘I am delighted to take up the role of Head of Fundraising and Development at Athletics Trust Scotland,’ said Jenny.

‘It will be a privilege to play a part in furthering the charity’s mission of helping people who face barriers to physical activity to reap the wide-ranging health and social benefits of running.

‘I am convinced this is an exciting time for the charity and I can’t wait to get started!’

About Athletics Trust Scotland

Athletics Trust Scotland was established just over three years ago to transform lives through participation in running and athletics.

It targets areas and groups where there are significant barriers to participation including communities in poverty,  people with disabilities and ethnically diverse communities.

The charity has now funded over 20 projects throughout Scotland, and in addition, it works closely with Scottish Athletics to enable and enhance the work of its community impact team.

It is supported by the running community through events including Scottish Running Week, grant funding organisations and foundations, and the corporate community.

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