A WEST FIFE athletics club is in the running to claim a prize at a national awards ceremony for a second successive year.

Pitreavie AAC have been shortlisted for an accolade in scottishathletics' 4J Studios Annual Awards, which will be held on October 29 in Glasgow.

They have been put forward in the 'Impact Club of the Year' category, alongside Aberdeen AAC and Springburn Harriers, 12 months on from being named Track and Field Club of the Year.

That honour was bestowed on Pitreavie in recognition for their work in promoting and maintaining athletics engagement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while this year, they have been acknowledged for their efforts in offering athletics programmes to a wider range of youngsters.

Paul Allan, club president, explained: "It's an award that we looked at, and thought we should really promote ourselves with, because with all that has been put in place around the run, jump and throw (a programme for five- to 12-year-olds), it's now probably a leading light out there on how to do run, jump, throw for many clubs.

"scottishathletics have said that quite a few times and recognised that. The way we did the programme, we made it very professional. The fact you're talking over 200 kids that are part of this, that are there every week – it's huge.

"Now we've managed to add to it by gaining funding to help us with our outreach programme. We're getting a chance to go to those harder-to-reach places where those kids have no chance of ever getting to Pitreavie.

"We're now at a stage where we take it to them, which is great.

"There's always going to be an opportunity where there's a star hiding in these places; you never know. It's great to be able to encourage these kids to get fit and enjoy sport."

In addition to Pitreavie, Fife AC coach Steve Doig has also been nominated for an award.

Steve, who coaches West Fife star Owen Miller, who won T20 1500 metres Paralympic gold in Tokyo last year which saw him named as Para Athlete of the Year at last year's awards, has been shortlisted in the Para Performance Coach of the Year.

In addition to coaching Owen, Steve, who has been put forward alongside Rodger Harkins and Joyce Rammell, runs a cross-club training group at the Pitreavie track, which includes another Paralympian, marathon runner Derek Rae, and Scotland 5,000m runner Annabel Simpson.

The awards, which will have Katharine Merry and Geoff Wightman in attendance as guests of honour, will recognise and celebrate the success and commitment of clubs, coaches and volunteers from across Scotland.