The North Ayrshire Youth Athletics Championships returned on Thursday, May 19 after a two-year break due to Covid restrictions.

Providing a chance for 10 to 11-year-old pupils to showcase their sporting talent, the event was supported by KA Leisure and delivered by North Ayrshire Active Schools.

Run in collaboration with North Ayrshire Athletics Club, the local sporting competition took place at St Matthew’s Academy in Saltcoats.

More than 120 athletes were in attendance supported by their teachers and coaches.

And the day was packed full of competitive events with a series of four athletic events which included the 80-metre sprint, 600-metre race and long jump and shot put rounds.

Winners were Caledonia Primary, taking the combined gold medals for their school, winning multiple times in the 600m and long jump heats, with close seconds in the 80m sprint and shot put.

Honorable mentions also go out to Glebe Primary and West Kilbride Primary, for finishing third and second respectively.

Delivered by the North Ayrshire Active Schools Team, all of the pupils have been supported by the network which is made up of community learning officers, teachers and sporting coaches.

The role of Active Schools is to work closely with teachers, parents and community groups alongside local primary and secondary schools to provide more opportunities for children and young people to take part in sports in North Ayrshire.

Councillor Shaun Macaulay, cabinet member (education and young people), said: “Thank you to everyone who took part and gave their very best at this year’s NAYA Championships. Everyone should be really proud of themselves.

“Not only was the competition a fantastic display of sporting excellence, it was also a great opportunity for our talented young athletes to enjoy coming together in meaningful and social experiences once again, after two years apart.

“We really do have an amazing wealth of athletic talent in North Ayrshire who are excellent role models for other local pupils interested in sport and the successes throughout the competition are testament to the fantastic work of Active Schools, North Ayrshire Athletics and KA Leisure who are doing their part to nurture local sporting opportunities in our communities and schools.”

Follow Active Schools on Facebook @NAActiveSchools to keep up to date with how to get involved in sport.