‘Meadowmill magic’ . . . Big thank you to all who made it happen

Monday 14th September 2020

Purple heroes . . . our Officials have excelled themselves in recent weeks (photos by Bobby Gavin)

Athletes and Officials savour final weekend of 4J Studios National Open Series

Jumps coach Linda Nicholson referred to it on Twitter as ‘Meadowmill magic’.

And there is no dispute that the 4J Studios National Open Series has been a big hit over eight different days in East Lothian and one in Aberdeen.

Many folk were involved in making that happen with special thanks due to our 4J Studios, our Officials, Enjoy Leisure, Aberdeen Sports Village, Team East Lothian and Aberdeen AAC.

In point of fact, the nine days of Open Series events is one more day than a ‘normal’ National Championship Series delivered by scottishathletics and our Officials – the Age Groups, Seniors, Combined Events and Masters, SUPERteams and Relays are usually offered over eight days.

To offer that over a four-week period is a huge achievement for the staff team led by Alasdhair Love, Caitlin Watt and Francis Smith and supported, quite superbly, by our purple and red army, our qualified Officials.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and to athletes, coaches, parents and clubs for supporting these events – with an average of around 200 athletes competing each of the days to ‘rescue’ the track and field season to an extent.

Well that's a wrap. End of our mini-season. We have had the best time, thanks to @scotathletics and their Meadowmill magic. Finished with some cracking TJ from this pair. And 12 yr old Kaelyn got to run, jump and throw and fell in love with athletics. Result! pic.twitter.com/YIZQLlis3x

— Linda Nicholson (@NicholsonLinda) September 13, 2020

It really was great to see recognition across our social media channels with the comments below from our Facebook page.

‘Thank you very much to all the Officials. These events went like clockwork and all the athletes were pleased to get back into competition again.’

Alison Watson

‘Thank you to everyone who organised and ran these events over the past month they have been great and the athletes have enjoyed it, too.’

Susan Newell

‘Massive well done to Scottish Athletics and all the Officials to make these events happen during this time and giving the athletes who took part a bit of normality by being able to compete again.’

Alan McMahon

‘Big thank you to Scottish Athletics for organising the National Open Series. Any event SAL hold is always well-organised but under the current circumstances you outdid yourselves by keeping athletes, coaches and Officials safe. Well done to all.

Laura Gebbie

‘Thank you to all who have made the Open Series possible – your hard work is much appreciated. You have given athletes hope that events can be held next year in a safe and well-organised manner.’

Keith Black