This year's Bursary goes to 16 year old Charis Mair, who is a pupil of Culloden Academy. She started athletics as a 10 year old and now concentrates on hurdles and the high jump. Currently she is 2nd in the Scottish rankings in the 80metres hurdles having been the silver medallist in that event this year. Also, in the Scottish rankings she is 5th in the high jump.
Since then, Charis has competed in the Scottish National Championships held at the new athletics stadium at Scotstoun, Glasgow 14 & 15 August. Charis had a very successful week-end securing a Bronze medal in the under 17 womens High Jump with a clearance of 1.60m. On Sunday she competed in the under17 womens 80m hurdles and again won bronze with a time of 12.07secs. Charis has three more events over the next few weeks and that will draw to a close the track and field season for this year. Winter training will commence early September with various development and training sessions being held in the Central belt as well as usual circuit training at Millburn Academy and Queens Park.
More Sporting Success for Rotary Club of Inverness
In July the annual cricket match between Rotary Club of Inverness and the Rotary Club of Loch Ness was held in the Bught Park. After a tense match where the majority of the batsmen scored personal bests (some even making double figures in runs!) Inverness was victorious.
Macfadzean Cup for Curling
Held on 9th February 2010 in Inverness. A very social evening - good company good craik. No previous experience necessary
(I had noticed! Ed)
Annual
Gavel Competition.
On Monday 2nd November the four Rotary Clubs of Inverness met on the field of sporting excellence to face each other at the local heat of the annual Gavel competition.
The finest athletes (where?....Ed.)form each Club endured trial by Darts, Snooker, Dominoes and Putting.In spite of being one man (person or Rotarian.... tut tut ....Ed!)down on the team, Inverness Club snatched victory from the Rotary Club of Loch Ness on a half point lead from the last game. (so this means we are organising the heat next year...... Ed.)
Congratulations on the magnificent efforts on Robbie Kerr, John Grieve, Dennis Malone, John Clarkson and Charlie Moir.
RotaryGolf Mixed Foursomes
The annual mixed 2 ball foursomes with wives and ladies of the Inner Wheel took place on 7th July over the Cameron Course, Nairn.
Weather was dry and the scoring was good despite windy conditions. Riona Leitch presented the prizes as follows.
First with a gross score of 39 strokes. Scott Don and Eileen Robb
Second 41 Jim Cooper and Riona Leitch
Third 42 Roy Sinclair and Isabel Robertson
Scott Don and Eileen Robb won the prize for the longest drive whilst the prize for nearest the pin at the short 4th hole was not awarded -- none of the 23 players could play their tee shots on to the green far less near the hole!
There was good "craik" and an enjoyable high tea in the Clubhouse afterwards. Rtn. John Clarkson
Youth Sports Award
Each year The Rotary Club of Inverness makes an award to a talented local young athlete to help with training and travelling costs. The recipient must be under 25 and competing at least regional or national level in his or her chosen activity. This year’s winner is 16 year old tennis player Jamie Verhaere.
Jamie at the Manor Park Tennis Tournament in Malvern Worcestershire
Jamie was recently ranked 76th in UK under 16s and has played in almost all the major competitions in Scotland and many in England and Wales. He recently won a Doubles competition in Utrecht in the Netherlands enduring temperatures of 37 degrees and was narrowly defeated in the Singles semi-finals. Tennis is clearly in his genes as his grandfather and great aunt were premier tennis players in Ireland.
His current service exceeds 100 miles an hour. He is currently doing higher at Nairn Academy and he and his older brother Ross are Lawn Tennis Association qualified coaching assistants. They currently coach junior players in Auldearn. His father George is Dutch and Jamie hopes to continue his training next year with a Dutch coach.
At a recent lunchtime meeting Jamie was presented with a Certificate and a cheque for £500 by President Jim Robb.
Since then, Charis has competed in the Scottish National Championships held at the new athletics stadium at Scotstoun, Glasgow 14 & 15 August. Charis had a very successful week-end securing a Bronze medal in the under 17 womens High Jump with a clearance of 1.60m. On Sunday she competed in the under17 womens 80m hurdles and again won bronze with a time of 12.07secs. Charis has three more events over the next few weeks and that will draw to a close the track and field season for this year. Winter training will commence early September with various development and training sessions being held in the Central belt as well as usual circuit training at Millburn Academy and Queens Park. 
