Scottish athletes and coaches grateful for Lloyd Cowan Bursary grants

Wednesday 25th February 2026

Holly Whittaker is one of the Scottish recipients of Lloyd Cowan Bursary grants (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Scottish athletes and coaches have been fortunate in recent years to receive support from the Lloyd Cowan Bursary.

And we are delighted to confirm the recipients for this year (2025-26) with no fewer than 11 athletes and eight coaches to benefit.

The 19 recipients came through the application process and will now receive funds to help with training and competition costs, travel and athletics equipment.

Aberdeen based Phil Owens, who coaches wheelchair racer Joanna Robertson, is among those to receive support.

Here are the lists of athletes and coaches . . .

Lauren Abbott, Elgin Amateur Athletics Club

Rachel Callan, Giffnock North/ Glasgow Jaguars

Alister Mackay, Team East Lothian

Amy Mansell, Havering Athletics Club

Andrew Peters, Stirling University Athletics Club

Sophie Robertson, Cumbernauld AAC

Lachlan Thomas, Ross County Athletics Club

Ben Thompson, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers

Favour Ugwuocha, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers

Sofia Vidak, Harrow AC/Falkirk Victoria Harriers/Stirling University Athletics Club

Holly Whittaker, Aberdeen AAC

Coaches

Alexander Chalmers, Garscube Harriers

Gerry Duggan, Giffnock North

Alison Grey

Robert Macleod, Banchory Stonehaven Athletics Club

William MacRury, Stornoway Running & Athletics Club

Philip Owens, Aberdeen AAC

Agustin Paniagua Osorio, Dunfermline Athletics Club

David Watson

Sofia Vidak at the EAP International in Stirling Uni vest (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Here are three testimonials

‘I’m very grateful to have received support through the Lloyd Cowan Bursary in partnership with Amber Anning and Nike. Being awarded Nike kit will make a real difference to my training and competition over the coming year. Being recognised through a bursary connected to an athlete of Amber’s calibre is hugely motivating and reinforces the belief in my journey and future in the sport.

Sofia Vidak of Falkirk Victoria Harriers and Stirling Uni AC

‘The Lloyd Cowan Bursary will help support me in my ability to travel and gain access to key races in the central belt and England that are essential for my development as an athlete.’

Lachlan Thomas of Ross County AC

‘The Bursary is going to help me continue to support athletes and develop the sport throughout the Outer Hebrides. Scottish island athletes face huge barriers in terms of access to facilities, coaching and competition opportunities. The grant will help me support athletes by hosting events and coaching workshops.

‘I am incredibly grateful for the generous kit support from Amber Anning. The kit will go to very good use in my day-to-day coaching — whether that’s in training sessions, at competitions, or simply helping me represent the sport in a professional way while working with athletes.’

Willie MacRury of Stornoway RAC

Tags: Lloyd Cowan Bursary