Top scottishathletics award for Law & District AAC

Law members were presented with the Podium Award, which rewards local clubs’ good practice and links with their local community, at a ceremony at Wishaw Sports Centre while the youngsters got the chance to meet Scottish athlete Laura Muir (20), who will be competing at next month’s World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

Law AAC president Pat Kelly, who has coached at the club for over 30 years, believes the club has got the recognition it deserves.

He said: “We are not only developing good athletes, we are developing good people as well.

“This award is a tribute to all the hard work that is done behind the scenes with helping the running of the club.

“The club could not be successful if it was not for the hard work of coaches, parents and, of course, the athletes.”

Pat also praised the work of scottishathletics regional manager Allison Simpson and the club’s Club Together Officer Stewart Livingston, with both playing a key role in Law AAC picking up the award.

The club has three main coaching bases; in Biggar, at the John Cumming Stadium in Carluke and at Wishaw Sports Centre.

The club’s current crop of young talent is certainly making its mark in competitions across Europe.

Super sisters Pamela and Emily McNicol, of Carluke, recently won silver and bronze medals respectively at the Scottish Under-16 Pentathlon Championships to add to their ever-expanding media haul.

Andrew Lawler was busy representing Great Britain at the European Junior Hill Running Championships in Borovets, Bulgaria and 14-year-old Gregor Gillespie’s terrific win in the Under-15 400m at the Scottish Schools Championships in June took him straight to the top of the UK rankings.

The club also has Scottish age group champions in pentathlon, high jump, hurdles, shot putt and hammer.