The two-year education programme for talented track and field athletes aims to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies that will be essential in helping them move toward senior competition. Athletics Trust Scotland were announced as the new title sponsor for our National Academy last month. The new recruits join 17 athletes from last year’s intake who now move to their second year in the Academy.

They will all come together this Sunday (10 November) in Stirling for their first Development Day consisting of education sessions delivered by our partners at the Scottish Institute of Sport. 13 athletes graduate the programme and will continue to receive support & guidance from scottishathletics for the next few years through our event group projects.

National Talent Manager, Allan Hamilton, said:

‘We’re delighted to welcome the new intake of athletes to the Academy, and look forward to working with them and their support teams over the next two years.

‘They have all achieved great things and shown their commitment to athletics in their careers so far, and we are looking forward to helping them develop further as they move through the Academy programme.’

2024 Intake

James Alexander, Garscube Harriers (Coach: Alex Chalmers)

Kishi Aremu, Livingston AC (Coach: Bob Douglas)

Andrew Baird, Ross County (Coach: Ross Cairns)

Luc Macleod, Banchory Stonehaven (Coach: Robert Macleod)

Dylan McCulloch, Central AC (Coach: Francis Smith)

Annie Mclean, Shettleston Harriers (Coach: David Watson)

Cara Murphy, Law & District (Coach: Thomas Mctaggert)

Anna Reid, Aberdeen AAC (Coach: John Davie)

Holly Whittaker, Aberdeen AAC (Coach: Frank Gauld / Margery Swinton)

Athletics Trust Scotland

• Improved retention rate of our best age group athletes into the Senior ranks
• Increased representation on Great Britain (GB) U18, U20 and U23 teams enroute to Commonwealth Games (CWG) and beyond
• Increased representation on GB Senior teams and GB Performance Programme
• Greater number of young athletes on future CWG teams and beyond

Athletics Trust Scotland has announced the return of its Transforming Lives grant programme for 2024, with nine successful applicants receiving funding for projects that will support disadvantaged communities through the sport.

Two organisations will again receive funding after becoming successful applicants in the inaugural 2023 programme, while seven others have been selected for the first time.

Outdoors For You, a group that supports migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Glasgow and creates an environment for community and integration, will be supported; as are Aberdeen Active Schools who aim to meet training needs in Peterhead, Ellon and Fraserburgh.

Runforever continues to be funded through their running club within HMP & YOI Grampian, which supports inmates, ex-offenders, marginalised communities and those with mental health issues. Aberdeen AAC, who last year received support for disability athletics equipment, this time getting assistance to fund free spaces at holiday camps at Aberdeen Sport Village.

Scottish Student Sport will be supported with funding to counter the rising costs of hosting their Scottish Student Championships events to keep athletics accessible to students at reasonable prices; while Elgin AAC’s money will go towards supplying running spikes to families and Forth Valley Disability Sport will be backed for the cost of an entry-level racing wheelchair to help athletes get into racing.

Finally, Team East Lothian will receive funding for a storage container to store frame running equipment and other disability athletics equipment; and Grampian Disability Sport’s grant will cover venue hire costs and support athlete participation expenses over the next two years.

Graeme Jack, Chair of Athletics Trust Scotland said: “After supporting fantastic Transforming Lives projects in 2023, we are delighted to be able to deliver another batch this year.

“A series of projects were selected with a clear vision in mind – to support those who need better accessibility in athletics.

“Our community is what makes our sport so great, and an example of that is Outdoors For You supporting integration for our new migrant, asylum seeker and refugee neighbours in Glasgow.

“In 2023, our grants made disability sport more accessible and we continue that trend this time around, while still remaining true to those who face other barriers to participation through our funded projects.

“From disability sport, to student support and helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds, Athletics Trust Scotland’s Transforming Lives grants are once again making serious social impact across the country.”

Razgar Hassan, Outdoors For You Chief Executive Officer said: “The grant will make it possible for our service users, to take part in running events in Glasgow and thereby experience the amazing atmosphere and camaraderie at these events.”

Athletics Trust Scotland is a charity focused on supporting disadvantaged communities through the power of sport. The organisation’s first grant funding to support these communities through its Transforming Lives programme, was delivered in 2023.

Any interested parties who would like further assistance or information can contact Athletics Trust Scotland Fundraising Manager, Kyle Greig: kyle.greig@athleticstrustscotland.org.uk and can register their interest on the Scottish Running Week website here.

For future updates on Scottish Running Week you can find information on social media. Twitter/X: @athtrustscot Facebook: Athletics Trust Scotland and Instagram: @athleticstrustscotland.

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A jogscotland group for offenders and ex offenders set up in collaboration with HMP & YOI Grampian, an innovative project for families at Glendale Primary School in Glasgow, and disabled athletes who require specialist frame running equipment at Edinburgh’s Corstorphine AAC, are amongst the first beneficiaries of Athletics Trust Scotland’s Transforming Lives programme.

With a special emphasis on those often underrepresented in the sport,  ATS is supporting ten organisations so that disadvantaged communities can benefit from the social, physical and mental wellbeing benefits of participation in running and athletics.

Funds for ATS, a charitable trust set up by scottishathletics, have been raised by Scotland’s 17,000 club runners, businesses and grant funding organisations, through a series of initiatives launched by the charity.

The founder of Runforever, Paolo Maccagno said, “Early this year we launched a jogscotland group in collaboration with Peterhead prison (HMP & YOI Grampian) to improve health and well-being, promote a healthy prison environment, and nurture systemic change.

“The grant will enable the continuation of this impactful jogscotland initiative, benefiting offenders, ex-offenders, marginalised communities, and individuals with various health issues within HMP Grampian and the Aberdeen community, with an estimated 60-80 participants.”

Glendale Primary School’s Rhona Proctor said, “Our school is situated in one of the most ethnically & culturally diverse communities in Scotland.

“We are setting up an afterschool club to provide support and help the children with the costs of running trainers and clothing to funding transport costs to the local parkrun.

“We also hope to start a jogscotland group for mothers. This grant will benefit up to 25 children and potentially numerous mothers in the community, encouraging inclusivity and well-being.”

Graeme Jack, Chair of Athletics Trust Scotland said, “Scotland is already punching above its weight on a world stage in athletics and running and there is a real appetite and opportunity to transform lives by broadening participation in all of our communities, supporting physical and mental health.

“We’re a young charity and I would like to think that this is only the start. Scotland’s runners, athletes and businesses who have already participated can be very proud that they are helping others and we look forward to building on this initial success in the coming year.”

The full list of organisations that are receiving support in this round include:

1. Corstorphine AAC – Supporting the Frame Running Group to purchase spare parts to allow equipment to be more adaptable.
2. Aberdeen AAC – Supporting para-athletes through an accessible fund and to purchase spare parts for para athletics equipment.
3. Runforever – Supporting ongoing costs for a running club within HMP & YOI Grampian, benefiting inmates, ex-offenders, marginalised communities, and individuals with mental health issues.
4. Shettleston Harriers – Supporting costs for athletics equipment, including RunJumpThrow Equipment Bags, in a targeted deprived area.
5. Glendale Primary – Located in one of the ethnically & culturally diverse areas in Scotland. Supporting the delivery of an afterschool athletics club and the costs to purchase trainers and clothes to those families in poverty. Also to support a running club for Mothers of the school to help the purchase of apparel and trainers.
6. St Margaret Marys Secondary – Supporting a running club for girls in an area of high deprivation and diverse communities through the purchasing of sports bras, trainers, transport costs to parkruns and educating and buying of period products to allow them to be more comfortable in the sport.
7. Dundee Utd. Comm Trust – Supporting primary and secondary-aged run, jump, and throw participants by funding equipment and coaching qualifications of whom a high percentage are from deprived areas in Dundee.
8. Perth Strathtay Harriers – Supporting ongoing costs for nightly facility fees for junior age group athletes over a six-month winter session block, including athletes from deprived areas and those with disabilities.
9. North Ayrshire AC – Supporting costs for a healthy snack initiative and purchasing new kit for a multi-sports session for athletes with additional support needs.
10. James Hamilton Primary – Supporting ongoing costs for an afterschool athletics club mainly to purchase athletics and running equipment that is lacking and in an area of high deprivation in East Ayshire.

For those who wish to support the cause, please feel free to visit the organisation’s website at athleticstrustscotland.org.uk/support or contact Fundraising Lead Kyle Greig at kyle.greig@athleticstrustscotland.org.uk.

Note to Editors

About Athletics Trust Scotland: Athletics Trust Scotland is committed to making athletics and running accessible to all, especially those facing barriers and underrepresentation in the sport. The organisation provides funding and support to organisations that share its mission to transform lives through athletics & running.

The next round of funding will open in Spring 2024.

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GB ultra international Kyle Greig has been appointed as lead fundraiser for Athletics Trust Scotland.

The new charity was launched last week to mark a new era for athletics in Scotland, with the clear goal of seeking to ensure the strength and vitality of our sport for generations to come.

Athletics Trust Scotland will offer an avenue for those who wish to make an impact on the sport they love, by supporting it through fundraising, donation or legacy.

And, with 30 years of connections to athletics in Scotland, Kyle is excited to now head-up the charity and lead of projects he believes can make a difference.

‘I am delighted to bring my experiences and expertise into this new role as Fundraising Manager for the new charity, Athletics Trust Scotland, and looking forward to working closely with scottishathletics staff and those within the wider sport to grow and protect the future of our sport,’ said Kyle.

Athletics Trust Scotland has close ties with scottishathletics but it is an independent organisation, a charity registered in Scotland with its own Board and Chair. They will make decisions on the Trust’s direction and activities, in line with the national strategy for athletics in Scotland, Building a Culture for Success.

‘One key aspect of my role is raising funds through various fundraising initiatives to support three main projects areas: ‘Transforming Lives, Targeting Medals and Strengthening Communities’, which will be delivered in partnership with scottishathletics and other key partners,’ added Kyle, well-known as co-host (with Tom Brian) of the popular podcast Tartan Running Shorts.

‘I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had in both my own sporting life, and my working life, and understand how important athletics can be for individuals and communities. My excitement and passion will hopefully bring many successes to this charity and the future of our sport.’

With a club background at Forres Harriers and Metro Aberdeen and work experience at Aberdeen Sports Village, Kyle was the ideal candidate for the ATS role.

Here’s a little bit more about him, in his own words:

‘I have been involved in athletics for over 30 years and started when my primary teacher encouraged me to join the local running club, Forres Harriers.

‘My first real success came at the National Cross Country Championships in 1999 when I gained a silver medal in the under 13 boys race. I then found my love to be in the hills where I went on to run for Scotland at international races including the 2003 World Trophy in Alaska (accompanied by the late Martin Hyman as Team Manager, and Chris Robison as National Endurance Coach).

‘After graduating from the University of Aberdeen, I decided to start training properly (twice a day as opposed to twice per week!) under the guidance of my current coach, Lewis Walker.

‘Having a more effective, consistent and structured training resulted in huge PBs, for example, achieving a 30 minute 10k, 2.25 in my debut marathon and winning the national short course trail championships. My most recent successes, however, have come in ultra-running, gaining a GB vest at the World Trail running championships in Italy – placing 1^st Brit and 26^th overall and, more recently, coming 3^rd at the British 100km Championships in 2019, which puts me 18th on the all time GB rankings.

‘During lockdown last year – with the absence of no races – I took the opportunity to attempt to break the 24 hour treadmill world record, raising over £11k for charity in the process.

‘In my previous career at Aberdeen Sports Village – one of Europe’s largest sporting facilities – my role included playing an important part of the growth and sustainability at ASV, from creation and expansion of the Health and Fitness team and services, creating ASV organised events, the creation of the Aberdeen Corporate Games and establishing a strong foothold in the corporate market.

‘Hopefully I can bring some of those skills and my passion for athletics in Scotland to my role with the Trust.’

Ian Beattie, who will stand down as Chair of scottishathletics in September after nine years in that role, will lead the panel of Trustees for Athletics Trust Scotland.

The Board of Trustees also includes Eilidh Doyle, Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete, and Paralympian Joanna Butterfield. Adding further expertise are Mark Munro, former CEO of Scottish Athletics, and entrepreneur Paddy Burns (of 4J Studios).

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The launch marks the start of a new era for athletics in Scotland, ensuring the strength and vitality of our sport for generations to come. It will offer an avenue for those who wish to make an impact on the sport they love, by supporting it through fundraising, donation or legacy.

Athletics Trust Scotland has close ties with scottishathletics but it is an independent organisation, a charity registered in Scotland with its own Board and Chair. They will make decisions on the Trust’s direction and activities, in line with the national strategy for athletics in Scotland, Building a Culture for Success.

Athletics Trust Scotland aims to make a significant impact in:

• Identifying, addressing and removing barriers to participation.
• Supporting early access to young people and supporting them to remain active in the sport for longer.
• Supporting the advancement of education using physical activity as the driver.
• Changing lives through physical and mental health work and working with disengaged and disadvantaged communities in Scotland.
• Promoting equality and diversity in sport.
• Helping to enable better access and the construction of better facilities for access to athletics and running by improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities are primarily intended.
• Helping those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage to participate in the sport of athletics and running.
• Creating the conditions for success in participation and sporting excellence.

The Trust’s Chair is Ian Beattie, who is currently Chair of scottishathletics, but whose term as scottishathletics Chair will conclude in September.

He said: “We’ve felt for some time that we need to look for other opportunities to generate funding for athletics in Scotland and we’ve discussed at board level a number of opportunities, and the idea of forming a charity came up and has had a bit of traction, over probably about the last year.

The idea was that we would set something up where people across all areas who have an interest in the different aspects of the sport, can give money to athletics if they want, and hopefully see their money be used to develop the sport across a wide range of areas. Hopefully this can be an important part of the income generation for athletics in Scotland going forward.”

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