YOUNGSTERS from Dunfermline Track and Field Club enjoyed the spotlight recently when they picked up accolades at its annual awards evening.

Members of the club came together for the prizegiving in North Queensferry before the festive break to celebrate an excellent 2022 of achievements from athletes throughout their age groups.

Darcie Black, who last year was named as the Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2021, was named as club champion, with Sophie Thomas and Callum Newton finishing in second and third respectively.

Teenage star Darcie also took top honours in the club's outdoor and indoor championship categories, while David Cuthbert collected a pair of awards, in the shape of middle distance champion, and the cross-country championship.

The coveted Hayley McGurk Shield, which is presented to the highest-ranked under-17 sprinter at the club, was awarded to Shayna Asamoah, who finished the season ranked first in both the 100 metres, and 200m, in Scotland.

There were also special awards for four achievements during the season, the first of which was a special recognition prize for Matthew Tait, who broke the Scottish Athletics Indoor League (SAIL) high jump record in March with a clearance of 2.02 metres.

Courtesy of competing for Scotland in the DNA (Dynamic New Athletics) international match in February, he also received a framed Scottish Athletics vest to acknowledge his national team representation.

Sophie Thomas was also further recognised for having broken the national under-15 girls' 100m record, which had stood since 1975, with a run of 12.1 seconds, while two of the club's teams also received special awards.

The under-12 DNA kids' team of Sean Asamoah, Sophie Jenkinson, Lottie Thomas and Lochlan Walker, who won the national DNA kids Championship in February at the Emirates where their match ran in conjunction with the DNA international, were feted, as was the outstanding achievement of the under-17 girls' SAIL team of Shayna Asamoah, Kirstin Penman, Ellie Candlish and Darcie Black, who took gold in the championships while winning 13 of their 18 events in qualifying, as well as three of the six events in the final.

Fifteen athletes who had set new club records, more than 50 over the indoor and outdoor season, were also presented with certificates to mark their achievements, as were the 13 athletes who won 23 medals between them at the East District Championships.

Under-11 coach Ian Jones, who has been with the club for more than 20 years, presented the prizes, and a club spokesperson added: "It is fair to say it has been a quite superb season for the club and the achievements of all our athletes.

"Many thanks go to all the coaches and committee members who contribute so much to the club."