Annual General Meeting: David Ovens to stay four more years as Chair
David Ovens (photo by Bobby Gavin)
David Ovens will serve another four-year term as Chair of scottishathletics.
David was re-elected for a second spell following approval at our Annual General Meeting which was held online on Saturday morning.
Jack McConnell was also re-elected for a further year as Honorary President in order to help smooth a handover process to the next incumbent in that role.
The AGM, quorate with 19 mandated clubs and three proxies ‘in the room’, also approved rises to membership fees and event levies (for non-members) as financial issues came up in discussion. There are also amendments to our Articles of Association.
‘It is a role I really enjoy so thank you for the re-election,’ said David.
‘I want to thank our clubs and volunteers, as well as the staff. We say it so often but clubs and volunteers make the sport happen so well in Scotland. I believe our club system is the best in the world.’
The AGM covered the year from April 2024 to the end of March 2025. Financial statements confirmed a small surplus of £3.5k with our reserves sitting at £412k. Income was £2.605 million. Auditors thus confirmed scottishathletics firmly remain a ‘going concern’.
As usual on these occasions there was a moment of reflection to remember of number of servants of our sport who have passed away. This included former Honorary President, Sir Menzies Campbell, whose death was announced on Friday.
The AGM also agreed to an increase in membership fees and conferred Honorary Life membership status on three deserving stalwarts of our sport – Neil Renton, Brenda Stephen and Anne Stewart.
Lead roles in our Commissions – Track and Field, Officials, Hill Running, Road Running and Cross Country – were confirmed again. We say thank you to Lesley Thirkell after serving as secretary of our Track and Field Commission.
David Ovens and, below, John Rodger (photos by Bobby Gavin)
‘Our Annual Report looks at the sport in its entirety and measures our performance nationally and internationally, against both our athletic competitors and other sports,’ said President John Rodger.
‘It is about how we support our athletes through our club structure, coaching, officiating, volunteering, parenting, safeguarding and national planning.
‘What we can say is that scottishathletics membership is thriving with approximately 18,000 members at our 148 clubs and jogscotland has approximately 250 clubs and 7000 members.
‘Participation numbers are healthy and to meet the members demand for competition, Scottish Athletics staged over 40 National championship events and licensed 584 road, cross-country, track and field, hill, trail and highland games meetings.
‘Our international athletes continue to bring us recognition on the world stage and our governing body was once again nominated for the NGB of the year award which is a measure of how we are perceived, from an organisational perspective, by other sports.
‘‘It was of course an Olympic year in 2024 and we were well represented with nine Scots in the athletics team. A particular mention must go to our Para athletes Ben Sandilands and Samantha Kinghorn.
‘Ben won gold on his Paralympics debut with a world record run in the T20 1500m final and Samantha won one gold and four silver medals.
‘Many people help in delivering the success of Scottish Athletics. The huge support mechanism of coaches, Officials, volunteers, team managers, parents, clubs, club members, commissions and the Board and staff contribute to the welfare of our athletic community.
‘My grateful thanks to you all.’
Samantha Kinghorn and Ben Sandilands at our 4J Awards last year (photo by Bobby Gavin)
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The AGM approved a motion on membership fees. These take effect from April 2026 and will be as follows:
Senior Club Member £25
U21 Club Member £15
U13 Club Member £12
Coach Members – £28 for three years
Family Member £62
Senior Member unattached £53
Over 65 Member £17
Corporate Member £59
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Non-member Race levies to increase to £3
Club Affiliation levies: First claim £8 and Second Claim £4
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Honorary Life Membership is bestowed on deserving individuals via our AGM.
This year we are delighted to confirm the status is now afforded to Neil Renton, Brenda Stephen and Anne Stewart.
Many congratulations to Neil, Brenda and Anne and thank you for your outstanding service to our sport over many years.
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The following individuals were confirmed in their on-going roles with the sport.
Track and Field Commission: Convenor: Diane Ramsay; Secretary: Vacant
Road Running and Cross Country Commission: Convenor: Mike Johnston; Secretary: Sandra Hardacre
Hill Running Commission: Convenor: Helen Fallas; Secretary: Stephen Winter; Finance Officer: Andy Douglas
Officials Commission: Convenor: Alistair Aitchison; Secretary: Brian Brown
*Many thanks to Lesley Thirkell who steps down after a stint as secretary of the Track and Field Commission.
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Re-elected as Honorary President: Jack McConnell
Re-elected as Chair: David Ovens
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Tags: Annual General Meeting, David Ovens, Jack McConnell, John Rodger
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