Youngsters get on their marks at Mini Athletics Lochaber
A couple from Skye have hit the ground running since the country opened up to more activity.
Krissy Monaghan and Dirk Parker live on the island with their two daughters and since March 2020 have been trying to get their mini athletics project off the ground across the West Highlands.
Following the first lockdown, Mini Athletics Argyll and Bute was eventually launched in August 2020 and has been a huge success with sell-out classes across the area and in May this year the couple launched the Lochaber equivalent.
The Lochaber sessions will be held every Friday from the July 9 to August 13 at the King George Playing Field Park.
Last Friday, youngsters aged 2-to-7 years gathered in four separate groups – Didee 2-3year-olds; Little 3-5; Mini 5-7 and Didees again – for their first sessions in an action packed summer programme.
‘We knew children desperately needed to be physically
active after the lockdown so we adapted to a Covid-secure programme which ran successfully until the lockdown in January,’ said Krissy.
‘When we were allowed to re-open in March, we took our programme back outdoors and expanded it to North Connel, Appin, Ardfern, Lochgilphead and now Tarbert.
‘We launched in Fort William and Kinlochleven in May and have just recruited a coach for Lochaber so we can bring more classes to the area.’
Sport is a passion for Krissy and Dirk who want to give children across the country access to athletics in a way never achieved before.
Every class promises to develop the physical, cognitive and social skills of its participants, while the complexity of the classes grow based on the age group.
Originally from London, Krissy has been an athlete since the age of nine and been involved in the sport for 37 years.
‘From being a performance coach through to working for England Athletics, I have seen the benefits that sport can bring to children and young people and that’s why we wanted to bring mini athletics to Scotland,’ she added.
‘We have a fantastic programme which sparks children’s imagination, builds their confidence and gives them a positive experience of sport.
‘Demand for our classes has been high since we re-opened in March this year and we’re proud to have supported children through this difficult time. We look forward to bringing more classes across the west coast of Scotland this year.’