INVERCLYDE has received national recognition for encouraging youngsters to take part in sport.

A ‘Youth Initiative of the Year’ award has gone to Sport Inverclyde (SI) for helping to organise a ‘quad challenge’ of four events commemorating the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The gong was handed over to secretary Anne Clark by the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils at a ceremony held in Aviemore.

SI is part of Inverclyde Local Athletic Partnership, which held the events at Ravenscraig Stadium before and after the Games, including 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m, high jump, long jump, shot putt and javelin events.

The first three meetings looked forward to the Games, and the fourth looked back as a ‘legacy’.

Youngsters ‘represented’ a different Commonwealth country at each meeting. 

SI is a member of the association, whose main objectives are to promote interest and participation in sport, liaising with various organisations and community sports hubs on all matters related to the development of sport and physical activity.

Anne, a former Scotland netball international, said they were delighted to receive the award.

She said: “I was sitting in the audience and had no idea we were to receive it. It was a very welcome surprise.”

SI treasurer Stewart Sutherland, who represented Scotland at curling, said the group was ‘honoured’ at the accolade.

Kenny Morrison, a committee member representing Inverclyde Athletic Club, added: “The award is a testament to the work done by everyone involved.”

Gerry Gaffney, president of the local athletic partnership, said: “This is justified recognition for all of the hard work that went into organising the quad challenge.”

Sport Inverclyde has the authority to award grants to individuals, clubs, organisations, youth organisations, schools and colleges concerned with sport.

The number of clubs affiliated to it stands at 30, with two individual affiliated members. 

During 2015, SI assisted Inverclyde Council in administering the Endowment for Talented Children and Young People Fund by ensuring that the money was distributed among the secondary schools within Inverclyde.

So far this year, three talented youngsters have benefited from the fund.