North Uist AACIn 1991 the North Uist
Amateur Athletics Club was formed. It was first intended to be a keep-fit road running club for older individuals and something far different from what we know the club to be today. Many North Uist residents
were very keen on getting this together. To raise funds a relay road race was run around North Uist and after this event the club took off.
The founder members of the club were Mairi Levack, Philip
Harding, James Matheson, Sandra MacLean, Lachie MacLean, David MacLean, Beth MacLeod and Emma Matheson. Through their desire for an athletics/running club we have the North Uist AAC as we know it today.
The idea of having children or the 'brat pack' as it has become known as was Beth MacLeod and Emma Matheson's doing. They saw the potential that North Uist's younger generation offered and effectively changed the
fate of the club. Once this athletics club was set up the children flocked and since 1991 there has been a steady membership of over 100 continuously over the years. This figure is an extremely large amount
considering the population of North Uist is only 1500.
Maintaining the club and keeping it running has been largely down to Mairi Levack and Norman MacLeod. Through their stewardship the club has gone from strength to
strength and success has been well deserved. This has been reflected in nominations and an award for Scottish Volunteer of the Year for Mairi.
From the first idea of a keep-fit road running club for older
individuals the club is now a complete and general young person's athletics club with a strong backbone of cross country runners but track and field is also a key area of the club. Also unlike a large number of
modern athletics club the area of throwing is not forgotten and we have a great depth of throwers.
There have been great successes to come from the club. To name but a few members that have gone on to greater
things; Beth MacLeod, Women's rugby Internationalist. Iain MacCorquodale, Scottish International athlete and World Island games medallist. Michael Hart, Commonwealth competitor and champion
body-builder. There have been countless success stories for North Uist AAC and there is sure to be many more in the future.
The club itself has low level funding and literally operates on a shoe-string budget
and all coaches and helpers are volunteers. There are few facilities and basic equipment and only this year have vests for the club been ordered. The club also lacks a running track, the basic field
facilities at the school being the main venue. The nearest track is in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, a three hour journey by land and sea from North Uist. Despite all this the club continues to flourish and its
members are among the most satisfied and happy in the country and always give 110% for the club they love so much. The club regularly meets and every Thursday night at Paible School is recognised as athletics
night in North Uist
