scottishathletics are delighted to announce that Ian Beattie has agreed to serve a second four-year term as our Chairman.
The ultra runner and CEO of legal firm Lindsays, who are sponsors of the Scottish Cross Country Season, took on the role in the spring of 2012 following the departure of Frank Dick.
Now Beattie, 50, has accepted an invitation from the scottishathletics Board, led by President Leslie Roy and chief executive Nigel Holl, to continue in the Chairman’s role until the summer of 2020.
Ian’s tenure as Chairman has witnessed a definite ‘feelgood factor’ permeate the sport in Scotland – meeting with one of his key objectives upon arrival which was to seek to help various elements in a multi-faceted sport ‘pull together in the same direction’.
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been followed be record entry field numbers in various events and increasing standards by many of Scotland’s elite athletes.
On the horizon over the next four years are Gold Coast 2018 and then the European Indoor Champs at the Emirates Arena in 2019 as well as all the usual National Championships in various disciplines and on-going programmes which are key for both performance and participation.
‘The last four years has been an exciting time to be involved in athletics, and I have been pleased with the progress we have made in my first term,’ said Ian.
‘In particular it has been encouraging to see the way our clubs have developed over this period, and the way the whole athletics family – athletes, coaches, officials and the professional staff – have worked together to put our sport in a strong position.
‘I think we will see even more benefits from this work in the years ahead, and look forward to continuing to play a part in my role as Chairman.’
Nigel Holl, chief executive of scottishathletics, said: ‘I know I speak for the whole board of scottishathletics when I say we are really pleased Ian accepted their invitation to carry on for another four years as Chairman.
‘He has been a big part of what’s been happening over the past few years, leading and guiding us on what is now the ‘Perform When It Counts’ strategy.
‘Leslie Roy was re-elected for another four years as President at our last AGM (in September 2015) and, under our Articles of Association, the Chairman can also serve a maximum of two terms of four years. It gives good continuity for the board.
‘Having been with a number of athletics clubs, and heavily involved in the sport as a runner himself, Ian ‘gets it’ when it comes to athletics in Scotland.
‘We’re very grateful to have someone with that rapport with the clubs and coaches, experience of events and passion for the sport in this important volunteer role.’
The news comes at the end of a remarkable week for the sport in Scotland with the endurance community still revelling in the selection of three Scots as the GB men’s team for the marathon at the Olympics in Rio.
Brothers Callum and Derek Hawkins of Kilbarchan AAC were picked as well as Shettleston’s Tsegia Tewelde, with all three under the 2.14 qualifying standard at the London Marathon in Scotland’s best single day performance in that discipline.
And Scotland’s ‘trio for Rio’ were at Crownpoint in Glasgow to present medals at the first track and field championships of the 2016 outdoor season when the Miler Meet organised by the Glasgow Athletics Association and scottishathletics saw title wins at 10,000m for Central AC’s Jenn Wetton and Will Mackay of Aberdeen AAC.
‘It was great to see the physical legacy of the actual track from Hampden, now laid at Cronwpoint (as well as Grangemouth), combining with the practical legacy of clubs, coaches and volunteers working together at Friday’s event, added Holl.
In all, 40 athletes ranging from U20 to V60 finished with every single one beating 40 minutes in a small, but positive, step towards better standards and emblematic of the past four years.
