Athletics club needs more coaches
More coaches and officials are needed by a county athletics club due to a surge in the number of children wanting to join.
Staff at Shrewsbury Athletic Club are fully booked and the waiting list of youngsters keeps on growing.
There is currently a waiting list for the Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and U17 age groups.
Club president Derek Hayward said: “Our existing track and field honorary coaches are full to the brim and we need more volunteers to allow children on the waiting list to join the club,” he said. “Otherwise we risk losing them to other clubs.”
He issued the appeal for coaches and officials as announcing the club’s third annual Salop Leisure Schools Relay Meeting on July 4, which will be see around 300 children from six schools gather at Shrewsbury Athletics Stadium.
The meeting, which comprises 12 events at various distances, is the brainchild of Mr Hayward, who has more than 50 years experience of supporting school and club athletics.
Taking part will be years seven to 10 pupils from The Priory School, Meole Brace School Science College and Shrewsbury Girls High School from Shrewsbury and William Brookes School, Much Wenlock and The Corbet School Technology College, Baschurch. Confirmation is awaited from the sixth invited school.
“This annual event is organised by Shrewsbury Athletic Club in partnership with sponsor Salop Leisure to promote athletics in schools,” said Mr Hayward.
"The sponsorship that we receive from Salop Leisure also enables the club to keep membership fees lower for children.”
Salop Leisure’s chairman Tony Bywater added: “Shrewsbury Athletic Club is to be congratulated for organising this annual schools relay meeting, which brings together 300 young people and may possibly include many potential track stars of the future."
Shrewsbury Athletic Club is a medium sized club for athletes aged from nine years old and who are also in school Year 5 up to seniors and veterans of all abilities.
The club is based at Shrewsbury Athletic Track, at Shrewsbury College, London Road.
The junior section compete in the Shropshire Young Athletes League, track and field in the summer and cross country during the winter season.
Training takes place throughout the year. In the winter there is a floodlit track and indoor facilities at the college are also used.
