Nairn Area AAC stunned by tragic death of young thrower

Wednesday 8th July 2020

Heather Welsh in action at Grangemouth at the 2019 Age Group Champs (photo by Bobby Gavin)

scottishathletics are deeply saddened to share details of a devastating tragedy at one of our clubs last weekend.

All at Nairn Area AAC are in mourning following the news that their dear friend and athlete, Heather Welsh, passed away on Saturday 4 July.

Heather fell ill last Wednesday and was transferred to a hospital in Glasgow where, despite every effort, she tragically passed away.

The 19-year-old was well-known to many in the athletics community, especially those in the throws fraternity, and had been in the sport for a number of years since her early teens.

In 2019, the young thrower won the North District U20 Women’s Hammer title at Inverness in May and then claimed bronze in the U20 Women’s Hammer at the Age Group Champs at Grangemouth with a PB performance.

Nairn Area AAC are totally devastated at the loss of such a well-liked, charismatic and talented young athlete and all their thoughts and condolences are with Heather’s family at this sad time.

Heather on the U20 Women’s Hammer podium at Grangemouth last year with Kilbarchan AAC duo Kirsty Costello and Heather Fawcett (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘Heather was one of those people who fell in love with the sport,’ said Nick Stone, Nairn AAAC coach.

‘Her passion and commitment was incredible and her kindness and helpfulness was inspiring. She was the life and soul of throws at Nairn and she will be missed by everyone at the Club and in the wider athletics family.’

Club Chair and coach, Susan Sutherland, said: ‘The messages received by the Club following Heather’s death have all had the same theme of the lovely, wonderful, beautiful young woman that she was – always smiling and always helpful.

‘The Club,our members, coaches, committee and parents, are truly heartbroken at the loss of Heather. She was a wonderful young lady who was a credit to the Club and was just starting out in life.

‘Heather’s death will be felt in the Club for a very long time to come.’

All at scottishathletics echo those heartfelt sentiments and send our support and condolences to Heather’s family, her friends, Nairn AAAC and the wider athletics community in the North.

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Funeral details are as follows:

Thursday 16 July at 1pm

At Tom Ross & Sons Chapel, 8 Orchard Road, Forres, IV36 1PJ

A link to the funeral stream will be available through the Funeral Directors Facebook page prior to next Thursday.

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Tags: Heather Welsh, Nairn AAAC, Nairn Area AAC