About Orkney Athletic and Running Club

How Orkney Athletic and Running Club Got Started

Arthur Groundwater started what is known today as Orkney Athletic and Running Club back in 1987, coaching a handful of athletes at Stromness Academy. Originally called Team Raven Athletics Club, the team changed its name to Stromness Athletic Club and affiliated with Scottish Athletics in 1988. When the Pickaquoy Centre opened in Kirkwall in 1997, the Club decided to make the track at Picky their home and rebrand as Orkney Athletic Club.

Orkney Athletic and Running Club was formed with the merger of Orkney Athletic Club and Orkney Running Club in 2021. This combined entity achieved charitable status (SCIO) on 6th October 2021 and operates under the management of a board of trustees. It currently has over 100 members, the majority of whom are Junior Members (9-18 years of age).

You can read more about our Vision, Mission and Values here: https://www.orkneyarc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/OARC-Vision-Mission-and-Values-1.pdf

Trustees

The Club governance structure aims to utilise volunteer time and effort more effectively by reducing the size of the management committee and creating instead a number of task oriented sub groups – membership of which is open to anyone who wishes to help with the club workload. If you would like to get involved – please feel free to contact any of the trustees.

  • Inga Linklater

    Chairperson and Welfare Officer

  • Aly MacPhail

    Vice Chairperson

  • Kirsty Swan

    Treasurer

  • Robert Dinsey

    Secretary

  • Mairi Dennison

    Membership Secretary & Co-ordinator

  • Kay Gilmour

    Officials Coordinator

  • Susan Rendall

    Home Competitions Co-ordinator

  • Mags MacRae

    Coaches Representative

  • Craig Moar

    Seniors Representative

  • John Cairns

    Trustee

4

Coaching Team

Primary

  • Lyle Gillespie

  • Richard West

  • Rachael Suttie

  • Steven Budge

2

Hurdles

  • Fraser Christie

1

Sprints

  • Mags MacRae

  • Nigel Thomson

1

Middle Distance & Endurance

  • Graham Shearer

1

Jumps

  • Kevin Tait

  • Amy Davis

1

Throws

  • John Cairns

  • Craig Drever

1