Janice Eaglesham

Red Star AC was born out of an enquiry by a young man with a visual impairment (VI) who wanted to take up athletics. I ( Janice) had some experience of working with athletes with VI. Ian was working in a day centre for people with a Learning Disability. After a few weeks of meeting on a regular basis, enough people were taking an interest for us to form an athletics club. Red Star AC was born out of this in December 1990. Last year in November 2011, the club celebrated its 21st birthday. Over the years the club has worked with many athletes of all disabilities, some of whom have gone on to medal at Paralympics and World Championships. Perhaps, more importantly, there are many success stories in the club of people who have used the club to develop not just physically but emotionally and socially as well. This has led to many instances of athletes who have gone on to develop in ways which their families could never have imagined. The club and its individual coaches and athletes have received recognition in many different ways and Ian and I are so proud of everyone associated with the club. Our original member and another athletes put us forward for the BBC Scotland Sports Personality which we were totally amazed to be awarded and even more so when we were awarded the overall award. For us, the club is about not just athletics but about people, regardless of their disability, using the opportunity to develop and be the best they can be in whatever way they want to.