Wishaw Sports Centre Hosts Another Successful Inter Regional Scottish Athletics Competition

Teams from the East of Scotland dominated proceedings at the Inter Regional Championships at Wishaw this weekend. Supported by NL Leisure and North Lanarkshire Council.

The event saw teams from East, West Coast, West City, Highlands & Islands, Grampian, Central and Tayside & Fife battle it out for the title and trophy in the U16/U18 match on Saturday and U20/Senior match on Sunday.

The Depute Provost of North Lanarkshire, Councillor James Robertson, said: "It is fantastic to see athletes of all ages taking part in this prestigious national athletics event, from the youngest just starting out with the local athletics clubs to the best athletes in Scotland competing at the highest level in the same arena at Wishaw Sports Centre."

Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure added: "This is the third inter-regional athletics event Scottish Athletics has hosted at the Wishaw Sports Centre and it was a first class event.

"It comes after the success of the International Children's Games in North Lanarkshire, and we are determined to attract high profile events to our area."

The U16/U18 match saw several Commonwealth Youth Games athletes putting the final touches to their preparation ahead of their departure for the Isle of Man and many medallists from the recent England Athletics U17 & U15 Championships in action.

In the U20/senior event on Sunday the East started as they had left off in

 the younger age groups. Derek Kasselstrand was a triple winner taking the discus in 47.70m, the hammer in 50.11m and the shot in 12.59m. Stacey Downie took a 100m and 400m double running 12.45 and 58.17 in windy conditions. Greg Louden added to the East's total with 400m victory in 49.67 and took 2nd in the 200m behind Ryan Oswald (Tayside & Fife).

The East sealed overall match victory with wins in the men's 4x400m and both the women's 4x100m and 4x400m to take the title ahead of West Coast and Highlands, Islands & Grampian.

Anyone with an interest in getting involved in athletics locally can find further details about programmes on www.nlleisure.co.uk or by calling 01236 437 756.