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.”

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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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The post Scottish Running Week returns in June 2025 appeared first on Athletics Trust Scotland.

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

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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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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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