JULY

The month started on a sombre note with the death of legendary footballer and manager Jimmy Frizzell, who featured for Largs Thistle at the start of his career. He was 79.

A young Largs woman put on a volley good show to win a Beach Volleyball tournament in Portabello. Charlotte Le Good Morgan, with her team partner Dan White, won the Scottish beach volleyball mixed tournament.

Millport Golf Club enjoyed some exceptional play during summer competitions. Junior championship winner Niall Gallacher beat John Jack in a nailbiting finale, and new club champion Craig Pirie narrowly overcoming Gordon Lundie in testing conditions.

Another positive step took place in the Largs Thistle Community Club as Largs AFC amateurs joined the set-up.

West Kilbride's Daniel Smith was attempting to make waves in the penultimate leg of the epic 2015-16 World Clipper Race after departing Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, for Race 13: The Den Helder Northern Seas challenge.

And teenagers from Largs and Fairlie were making waves at the worldwide skiff championships. Members of the Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club were among the silver medallists in the 'Skiffle Worlds' held in the watery County Down.

AUGUST

Largs Sailing Club was founded in 1936, was celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and hosted a "memories and history afternoon", with well over 40 older members, former members, and descendants of former members gathering in the clubhouse to look over old documents and photographs - and bring in their own memories and memorabilia.

It was a new era at Largs Thistle after Peter Connor was installed as president of the club at the AGM, replacing Martin Phillips who had held position for three years, and was instrumental in making the Barrfields 3G park a reality.

And Thistle's community club ethos got off to a positive start with the under 19s recording a 6-0 victory over Barrhead to kick off the season. The senior team endured a difficult start to life in the Premier, losing 3-2 at Rob Roy, before going down to Hurlford by a solitary goal at Barrfields.

Largs Colts met Inter Milan stars including manager Roberto Mancini during their Oslo trip. The Colts enjoyed their international visit, reaching the last 32 of the football tournament.

Skelmorlie Golf Club held their championship with some top quality golf - Gents champion was John Anderson and ladies champion was Alex Sargent. The Seniors Chamoion was John Rush.

And Largs Paralympic swimming hopeful Abby Kane got a grand send off to Rio from her Largs Academy schoolpals. The 12 year old swimmer was Team GB's youngest competitor, and said: "It was lovely to say bye to everyone and it's really nice the school is behind me."

SEPTEMBER

In one of the most outstanding sporting moments in local history, Abby Kane performed the swim of her life to win a sensational silver medal in the Rio Paralympics. Abby excelled in the electric atmosphere of the Olympics Aquatic Centre, and gained high praise for her mature performance on the world's biggest stage, with millions watching around the globe. The 13 year old set a Paralympics record in the afternoon qualifying heats recording a 1:09:09 swim. At at 11.05 GMT, Abby finished in silver position with a swim of 1:09:30. Speaking after her swim, Abby said: "I am speechless - I am so happy - I didn't expect to come to Rio at all. It has been a great experience."

The annual Cumbrae to Largs Saltire Swim was greeted with sunshine as it dipped into its 11th year. It near perfect swimming conditions, it was the youngsters who dominated the event with the first home in an impressive time of 30:49 - Adam Kirkwood of Kilwinning. The first female home was 15 year old Rebecca Weir of Largs.

Largs Sailing Club member Natalie McWilliams made windsurfing history after coming back to the sport from serious injury. Natalie became the first female windsurfer ever to take the title of Scottish Windsurfing Champion at St Mary's Loch Sailing Club in the Scottish Borders. Natalie sustained a very serious knee injury in 2015, but bounced back in style.

Thistle manager Bryan Slavin was looking for answers after five straight defeats in the league, and a painful exit in the Scottish Cup first round at home to Blantyre Vics. The gaffer said: "I have a decision to make as results haven't been good enough, and when a lower team comes to your home, you should be winning the game."

Largs Golf Club members, brothers David and Iain Macdonald, won the final of the Ayrshire Fourball Championships which was played at Ballochmyle Golf Course.

OCTOBER

Stuart Davidson took over the reigns at Largs Thistle as manager, and praised the departing Bryan Slavin as a 'hero' for his achievements at the Barrfields club. Both Bryan and coach Drew Walsh resigned with immediate effect after Thistle suffered their sixth league defeat on the spin at Troon. The new manager got off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Wishaw in the West of Scotland Cup.

Mark McKinlay and Shirley Henry of Largs Karate Club both passed yondan (4th Dan) in Bath.

It was the return of the magnificent seven for Largs Thistle U19s as they hit the same tally for the second time this season in overcoming Glasgow East. Thistle were leading the way at the top of the table and notched their goals from Rafferty, Reid (3), Lloyd Dicks, McKeen, and Chakar.

Largs Thistle AFC required extra-time to see of a resolute Bearsden side in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup at Barrfields. Grant Cockerill put Largs 2-1 up, and Sean Robb notched a brace in extra-time to secure safe passage to the next round.

NOVEMBER

It was a special moment for Largs man Eddie Mrozinski as he received the lifetime achievement award at the North Ayrshire Sports Awards held in the Waterside Inn in Seamill.

Eddie started with Largs Colts in the early 1990s as a parent coach volunteer, and went through the official SFA coaching badges, and has since given over 25 years dedication to the Largs Colts.

Other winners at the glitzy awards ceremony included Abby Kane, swim coach Sharon McIntyre, and Scott Shearon, coach at Largs Gymnastics Club,

Eddie Walton, who has been at the heart of many of the club's successes over the years, returned to Largs Thistle for the third time in his career.

The 36 year old made an immediate impact with other new signing Iain Fisher from Beith, as Thistle went on to record important wins against Arthurlie and Troon.

A badminton hotshot from Largs is aiming to compete in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. David Purdie was selected to represent Scotland in the parabadminton championships event in the Irish Four Nations, and won the event for Scotland with his partner Colin Leslie of Dalkeith.

Young swimmers from Largs, Fairlie, and surrounding area, made a splash in Lanzarote. A total of 17 senior swimmers from North Ayrshire Amateur swimming club returned from a warm weather training camp at Club La Santa in the Canaries.

Millport disabled golfer Jim Thomson won the Scottish Order of Merit championship.

Catherine Garratt and Helen Cattanach of West Kilbride Golf Club finished third equal in the UK in the 2016 Daily Mail Foursomes competition.

On the double .... Kian Mclaughlin, 13, of West Kilbride Shibumi Karate Club, passed his first Dan, and Sensei Colin Stewart, passed his second Dan on the same day.

The Fairlie Yacht Club Autumn Points Series finished on a high. The Etchells class was dominated by Brian Young and his crew in Excalibur, and in the handicap class, the series was won by Stuart Hamilton's Moody 336 Piecemaker.

DECEMBER

Thistle's new coach Steven Swift said the Barrfields club were fighting for their Premier lives after suffering a heavy defeat at Pollok. Largs impressed in a comfortable two goal victory at Hurlford thanks to goals from Glenn Thomson and James Marks, but Thistle's second half collapse in Glasgow, means that Thistle have only nine league games in 2017 left to turn their season around.

Largs Karate Club made the grade after both Richie Allan and Duncan Conner passed shodan in Sunderland.

Local sailor Ellise Fitzgerald, who sails at Largs Sailing Club as part of Largs Sail Training Association, was delighted when she found out that she had been gifted the use of a brand new Topper. The 11 year old was selected after taking part at the RYA Zone championship at Largs Sailing Club.

Table toppers Largs Thistle U19s recorded an important 2-0 victory at Nethercraigs to keep their momentum going in pole position in the Paisley, Johnstone and District League, with midfielder Jay Little also scoring for the senior side in a friendly at Port Glasgow, signifying a bright future for Largs Thistle Community Club.