THE future is looking bright after a tough 12 months for Dunfermline Track and Field Club as kids have raced into new athletics sessions.

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, the club is hopeful that more of their membership will see on-track competition, as well as their base at Pitreavie Athletics Centre, in 2021.

Already, however, the first four months of the current year have brought optimism for the club as their recently-introduced 'Run, Jump and Throw' club has attracted more than 60 kids to take part in the sport.

It has been a number of years since Dunfermline Track and Field hosted such an initiative but, thanks to the hard work of their committee and help from Scottish Athletics, they have reintroduced such sessions for youngsters in Primary 1-7.

The 'TrackStarz' programme is being led by Sophie Allan, who in January was recruited by the club in the role of coaching and development officer, which seeks to develop, promote and run the sessions, as well as aiming to recruit new parent-helpers and coaches.

Since taking up her position, which is also held in partnership with sportscotland, Fife Sport and Leisure Trust and Live Active, Sophie has seen classes grow at a staggering rate since lockdown restrictions were eased.

She said: "Our ‘TrackStarz’ sessions are for P1-P7 children, based around run, jump and throw and act as an introduction to the sport of athletics and to our club.

"For the younger athletes, all activities are game-based and for the older athletes all activities are aimed to build the basic skills and techniques needed. The main focus of every session is fun!"

The club began advertising the classes initially in December, only for lockdown to put sessions on hold.

In January, they created 'TrackStarz@Home' – short, athletics-based activities that those children who had signed up could do at home – before the sessions were allowed to begin in March.

With all of the classes up and running, and registrations growing weekly, there are currently 66 children attending across both Pitreavie Athletics Centre, and Loch Leven Community Campus, on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

If you are interested in registering, or would like more information, email trackstarzdtfc@gmail.com.