RAM Athletics League Sponsorship
RAM Tubulars, a diverse and leading provider of tubular products, equipment and specialist recycling services to the energy and construction industries, are delighted to be playing a part in helping young athletes start out at grass roots level by continuing as title sponsor of the Grampian Athletics League (now widely known as the RAM Athletics League).
It is important to us to do what we can in order to assist our local youngsters and believe that with our help from supporting this league, athletes can continue to develop their skills and get a taste of competition, motivation, self-discipline and a healthy lifestyle.
RAM Managing Director, Jim Stewart says “RAM Tubulars are proud to be providing sponsorship to the Athletics Community to assist all the hard work and effort from the organisers and coaches in providing a platform for the athletes to compete. It is vitally important for young people to have the opportunity to channel their energies in the pursuit of sporting excellence and to measure their abilities at the highest level.”
The team at RAM are wishing every competitor and official the best of luck for the season ahead and we look forward to seeing just how much our support can make a difference.
To find out more about RAM Tubulars, check out our newly launched website: www.ramtubulars.co.uk
The Grampian Athletics League (the friendly league) started back in 1980 with a series of four fixtures involving four clubs, Aberdeen A.A.C, Banchory A.A.C, Elgin A.C and Peterhead A.A.C. Athletics in the North-East of Scotland had been very limited up until then and it was only possible for the League to be introduced with the recent formation of Banchory and Peterhead and much needed sponsorship from Grampian Television.
The third year saw the league increase to five clubs with the addition of Nairn A.A.C, The club was only formed in 1981 and demonstrated the continued growth of athletics in the North of Scotland. The increase in participants also meant an increase in standards as more than a third of all league records were broken, several by new addition’s Nairn, showing their value to the league.
The league name changed in 1984 to incorporate the league sponsor, with it being changed from Grampian Athletics League to the Grampian Television League. A sixth club was then added in 1988 when Black Isle A.A.C joined
As the league started it’s tenth season in 1989 it doubled in size with the admission of Caithness A.A.C, Forres Harriers, Fraserburgh R.C, Arbroath & District A.C and Montrose A.C. With the admission of the new clubs it was decided to split the league into two geographical sections; a North district comprising of Black Isle, Caithness, Elgin, Forres and Nairn, and an East district with Aberdeen, Arbroath & District, Banchory, Fraserburgh, Montrose and Peterhead.
The league was going strong by now when Ellon & District A.C joined in 1990, and some new events were added to give the programme a new look, and also give the smaller clubs a chance to try out new events they did not have facilities for at home. This proved a huge success, as there were no fewer than 53 new records set, including 26 inaugural records in the new events.
Moray Roadrunners became the thirteenth and latest club to join the league in 1992, looking to carry their success in cross-country into track and field. They initially competed in the east section during their first year, but changed to the north section the following year.
1993 saw changes to the final when it was decided that the top 4 clubs from each age group in both north and east sections would qualify giving smaller clubs a greater chance of reaching the final.
Newly formed Maritime A.C became the 14th club to join the league; the club had been formed out of a Kirriemuir based training group and some former Tayside A.A.C members. The league also increased the number of field events per meeting with a slightly earlier start to allow the meetings to run to time.
1997 saw a major change in the league structure as 4 more clubs joined the league; they were Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, Inverness Harriers, Lochaber A.C and Shetland A.A.C. It was decided to add another section to the league, which would now comprise of an East, North and South section. This however only lasted for two seasons when the league reverted back to two sections in 1999. This was done to alleviate the problem of losing both Maritime A.C and Shetland A.A.C (the 4 day round trip on the ferry from Aberdeen and the costs of such a trip, were just too much for the club forcing their withdrawal). The other reason for reverting to 2 sections was the shortage of officials when 3 events took place on the same day.
There was a sad start to the 21st season with the withdrawal of Peterhead A.A.C, who had been one of the founding clubs back in 1980. This sadness was tempered by the fact that Wester Ross A.C joined the north section of the league. It was also the start of a new era on the committee as John Imrie replaced Katy Dawes as league secretary/treasurer, a position Katy had held for the past 11 years (the league will always be indebted to her for her service and dedication during that time). This season also saw the addition of an under 17 women’s age group for the first time.
The 2002 season brought a new name to the league, and it became the Halliburton Athletics League when Halliburton kindly offered to sponsor the league. The league had been sponsored by Grampian Television since it’s inception in 1980, but due to financial constraints they could no longer support the league to the required level for it’s continuation. Halliburton’s initial sponsorship was only for one year but continued their support for a further 4 years, during which time the league has continued to provide the only opportunity for athletes of all abilities, in the North and East of Scotland, the chance to compete.
That brought us to 2007, and a new sponsor in Petrofac was found. The league is now known as the Petrofac Athletics League, as with their kind sponsorship the League has been guaranteed another few years of competition. (Please note, constitutionaly, we are still known as the Grampian Athletics League, but we still compete as the sponsors named league).
In 2008 we saw the addition of yet another new club Brechin High Athletic Club bringing the leagues total to 16 (8 in each section).
2009 is upon us which also sees us proudly entering our 3rd year with our sponsors, Petrofac and with their help we are now being noted throught Scotland for our determination which is producing some very good athletes.
At the start of season 2010 Petrofac proudly announced that they were to sponsor the league for a further 2 years to which we, the league, are very greatful. With their help, this helps us promote athletics and encourages the athletes and clubs that already are part of the league. With the support from Petrofac the league is beginning to be noticed within the other athletic leagues here in Scotland. During 2011 Brechin H Athletic Club amalgamated with Montrose & DAC and the East competed with only 7 clubs.
Again at the Final in 2011 Petrofac announced to sponsor us for 2012.
The 2011 AGM it was intimated that Fife AC would like to join our league and they were invited to join and accepted bringing the East section back up to 8 clubs.
Also this year (2012) saw the league adopt the new, experimental age grouping take all age groups to even ages etc u10, u12, u14, u16, u18 & seniors with the rest of Scottish Athletics watching we can only hope this is a success.