THE North Ayrshire Athletics Club (NAAC) has received top honours for its work within the local community.
The Saltcoats-based charity club was recognised with a pair of honours at the Scottish Athletics awards night which took place at the end of last month.
The national event featured clubs from right across the country but was particularly successful for the local organisation.
NAAC won the 'impact club of the year' award, beating out competition from fellow nominees from Aberdeen and Pitreavie.
While there was also individual praise for club coach Nikki Caig who was crown community club coach of the year.
Since their formation, in 2009, the club - registered as a charity - has always prided itself in being a community club that works hard with individuals, no matter their ability.
The last year has been momentous for the club. As well as competition success, NAAC has been busy in terms of working within the community and building the personnel of the club.
Not only has membership grown by 30 per cent in 2024, the club has continued to ensure it does the best to support its athletes.
NAAC has managed to do all of this while relying on volunteers for coaching and admin roles. This fact captures the philosophy of the club as it has always been about improving the community around them.
Kirsteen Brown, club president, said: “I am delighted that our club have been recognised at this year's Scottish Athletics Awards. To receive the impact club of the year 2024, highlights the great work we do in our local community.
"For our combined events coach Nikki to win the community club coach of the year also
showcases the great work our volunteer coaches do at NAAC.
"Nikki’s record of successes ranges from local, national and international achievements.”
As well as running athletics programmes for children from the ages of three, the club also has nights where it runs an additional support needs group where they learn the fundamentals of athletics while letting the children partake in multisport activities as well.
NAAC has been a part of the Three Towns community for a while now and has been
working hard with little credit given, so this award is seen as well deserved after all the club
has achieved.
Kirsteen added: “I’m excited for the future of our club and look forward to the years ahead."
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