Clearing hurdles to stage an Indoor Season – well done to all involved at Ayr

Sunday 21st January 2024

Scott Connal dipped his toes in our 4J Qualifying Heats in readiness for the British Champs – then thanked scottishathletics and our Officials for clearing hurdles to stage an indoor Season.

The Scotland international was among hundreds of athletes to compete at the Riverside Sports Arena in Ayr over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It was a new venue in terms of national competition and, while space was at a premium for everyone involved including coaches and spectators, the ‘community spirit’ which characterises our sport was very much in evidence.

Scott was duty-bound to thank our Officials, of course, given dad Barry was on duty only a few metres away when he lined up for the 60m hurdles on Saturday.

Our chief executive, Colin Hutchison, was also looking on and stressed the importance of staging these events during redevelopment work at the Emirates Arena in readiness for the World Indoors.

Ayr Seaforth’s development officer Will Marshall-Watt, meanwhile, saw the event as a learning curve with the club keen to both grow at local level and get involved in hosting regional and possibly national competition (with the U12 SUPERteams due in Ayr this summer).

Photo by Bobby Gavin

MAKE THE LEAP#SALtogether #4Jathletics
Triple jump action now from Ayr with @EdinburghAC on the boards . . . @SALChiefExec @SAL_Coaching @AllanHammy @Sam0kane @davieTJ2010 @NicholsonLinda @ayrseaforth @RobDL2 @_caitlinww pic.twitter.com/5LG3sPfwFD

— scottishathletics (@scotathletics) January 20, 2024

‘It was good to get two runs in and be out there racing, although it was a lot colder indoors than I thought it would be,’ said Scott, with runs of 8.23 and 8.12.

‘The second run was quicker and I am happy enough with that. I ran a couple of weeks ago in Aberdeen and then will go to Loughborough soon – and then it is the British Champs

‘Last year around this time I had a stress fracture so this is really my first run at an Indoor season for two years. The hard part this winter has been training with the Emirates closed.

‘Fair play to folk at Ayr for putting this weekend on and Scottish Athletics and the Officials – I think we probably should appreciate what a superb venue the Emirates is for Champs. We are missing it this year in so many ways.’

Matthew Tait‘s 2.05m High Jump PB was among the highlights – with Friday night action proving to Matthew’s liking.

Chief executive Colin Hutchison made his first visit to the Ayr venue and was impressed.

‘We are really pleased to come here for the indoor qualifying and credit to all those involved in staging the event,’ said Colin.

‘I want to thank our Officials in particular because as always it is their commitment which makes events happen.

‘They have had to adapt and work with a completely new venue but you can see everyone trying to help out and make it the best experience possible for the athletes.

‘We are missing the Emirates Arena, of course we are, but hopefully that redevelopment there for the World Indoors sets the venue up for the next 10-15 years. What I would say is that the closure of the Emirates really emphasises the need for another 200m indoor facility in Scotland.’

The new venue is of course a real shot in the arm for Ayr Seaforth, as ther Club Development Officer Will told us.

‘We’re almost exactly a year now since the Riverside Sports Arena opened and we are here as a club a number of nights a week.

‘It’s great for Ayr Seaforth and we think it can be a real platform for us as club to grow.

‘There are a number of projects all linked in with that like Run, Jump Throw and reaching into some of the less affluent areas of Ayr to try and bring in new people. We get kids joining and that’s great but we would love adults too to help fill volunteer roles.’

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Tags: Ayr Seaforth, Colin Hutchison, Scott Connal