96 children from across the Forth Valley were selected from local Aviva Star:track Summer camps to compete in the Regional Aviva star:track Championships at Grangemouth Stadium on Tuesday.  The children showing the most potential from Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire competed against one another in what proved to be a very exciting and fun event.

The young athletes were lucky enough to meet retired Javelin athlete Karen Costello Karen represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 1994, was 3^rd at the British Championships and won 3 Scottish Championships.  Karen who has represented GB at the Europa Cup gave the competitors a few tips on how to throw the javelin and a demonstration. Whilst competing Karen threw an impressive 58 metres.

The festival consisted of 2 run’s, 1 jump and 1 throw, Kirsty Forsyth from Clackmannanshire got off to a good start running 11.48 in the Over 9’s 80metres. The 80m sprint was won by Dominic Taylor from Falkirk in the over 9’s in 11.75 seconds.  After the best of three attempts in the Under 9’s Long Jump Sarah Wright from Falkirk jumped into first place with 2 metres 15. In the Over 9’s Javelin Kieran Potter from Clackmannanshire showed real potential throwing an impressive 16.9m. Athletes finished off with a double points relay in which Clackmannanshire managed to clinch the title of Regional Aviva star track Champions with 700 points closely followed by Falkirk with 694 and Stirling with 624.

Outstanding performances from individual winners included Holly McClachlan from Clackmannanshire who won 2 events in the under 9’s age group, George McDonald from Falkirk who won 60m, the Long Jump and the 300m in the Under 9’s and Kirsty Forsyth who also won the 400m in 1.14.

Liz Francis from SportCentral said “Thanks also goes to Karen Costello for giving an inspirational question and answers session to the participants and to all the parents and families that came to support the event.  Performances continue to improve and with funding from Aviva we hope this event will develop to become bigger and better every year. It is so great to see children having such a positive experience, from this hopefully they will go on to join local Run, Jump, Throw Classes and local Athletics Clubs.”