Fortrose’s Ross Cairns says Highlands should be proud of 2024 achievements in athletics after being named Scottish Athletics’ performance coach of the year
Ross Cairns says athletics have given the Highlands something to be proud of after being named Scottish Athletics’ 2024 performance coach of the year.
The Fortrose-based Inverness Harriers trainer recently scooped the award ahead of fellow nominees Liz McColgan, who coaches daughter Eilish, and Anne Scott who coaches Great Britain sprinter Alyson Bell.
It has been a stellar year for Cairns’ athletes, who include son Lucas, Caitlyn Heggie and Andrew Baird as well as senior 800m champion Luke Davidson, British Marathon champion Mhairi MacLennan and Olympic distance runner Megan Keith.
However, he still says it was a big surprise to be announced as the winner on the night in Glasgow.
“Being named performance coach of the year having won the performance development coach of the year twice felt like a huge acknowledgement of the continued successes of all the athletes I am blessed to be helping reach their goals,” Cairns commented.
“I suppose it’s validation of all the passion, dedication and commitment we all put in.
“There’s something special about knowing the effort you put into helping others grow and perform at their best has made an impact.
“I didn’t expect to win at all. There are so many talented coaches and athlete groups out there doing amazing things, it was a total humbling just to be considered.
“To achieve this award from the Highlands, I hope it gives other coaches no matter where they are the motivation to keep pushing forward and finding new ways to support and inspire athletes.”
With the awards essentially marking the end of the season, Cairns will now have a chance to reset before planning what the future holds for his string of championship contenders.
He sees rubbing shoulders with the elite of Scottish athletics as a chance to reflect on the past 12 months, too, and he says there are no shortage of highlights for him, his athletes and the Highlands in general to look back on.
“Awards, to me, are a validation of the journey and recognition of the hard work, long hours, and challenges that come with trying to make that difference and next step up in the pathway,” Cairns reasoned.
“Personally, I think awards are a chance to reflect. They make me think about everyone who’s helped along the way, from my mentors to the athletes who ultimately trust me with their goals.
“Success isn’t the main reason I do this, but us all being acknowledged in this way keeps not just me energized but also the athletes and the wider group to strive for the same accolades, and reminds us all that our journey is moving along the right pathway from wee kids running in the park all the way to Paris and London.
“As a coach, you must keep updating yourself and be flexible in your approach as sport is fluid. I would say 2024 was simply stunning, starting in January with a European Under-23 record all the way to the Olympic Games in Paris in August.
“I’m amazingly proud of the athletes and our area should equally feel proud of them.
“Our sport has taken a bump in the Highlands recently with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in some low times, but the city can be proud that our athlete group has our first Olympian, and simultaneously holds the British 10k and Marathon championships, the national 800m and British steeplechase champions, and local winner of our Baxter’s 10k as well as Scottish Cross Country and Hill running successes from our development athletes.”
