By Colin Smeeton
Pupils from all seven primary schools on Arran competed at the recent KA Leisure Sports Hall Athletics Festival at the Auchrannie sports hall in the hope of securing a place in the national finals.
The event was organised by KA Leisure’s Community Sports Team in conjunction with Arran Active Schools, North Ayrshire Sports Academy pupils and Active Schools co-ordinator Ross Dobson.
Pupils competed in track and field events including lap and circuit relay races, speed bounce, standing long jump, chest throw, long and vertical jump and standing triple jump.
Once the results are tabulated, a composite team of 20 pupils and two reserves will represent Arran in qualifying heats at The Portal, Irvine, on Tuesday November 7.
Qualifiers for the final, to be held at The Portal on Tuesday December 5, will be the winners and runners up from four mainland heats.
Craig Hamilton, assistant community sports manager at KA Leisure, thanked all the teachers for helping to make the Arran event possible and wished all the children the best of luck in the competition.
The winners of the final will keep the North Ayrshire Shield for the year and all participants will receive certificates of participation.
Active Schools co-ordinator Ross Dobson, right, with assistants from North Ayrshire Sports Academy. 01_B44KAsports01_23_Ross_Dobson_team
KA Leisure’s Community Sports Team ensured the event ran flawlessly. 01_B44KAsports02_23_community_sports_team
The pupils enjoy a fun warm up session with the coaches. 01_B44KAsports03_23_warm_up
A young boy puts in a monumentous effort in the standing long jump. 01_B44KAsports04_23_standing_long_jump
Pupils cheer for their team mates and other competitiors. 01_B44KAsports05_23_pupils_cheer
Youngsters take part in the speed bounce event under the watchful eye of North Ayrshire Sports Academy pupils. 01_B44KAsports06_23_speed_bounce
A young boy leaps into the air during the vertical jump event. 01_B44KAsports07_23_vertical_jump
Runners at the ready for a relay race. 01_B44KAsports08_23_relay_race
Fierce competition during the boys relay race. 01_B44KAsports09_23_boys_relay_race
A young girl launches the ball into the air during the chest throw event. 01_B44KAsports10_23_chest_throw