Clubs in plea for help to cash in on Games legacy

Buy photos »

SPORTS clubs across Bromsgrove may miss out on taking advantage of London 2012 fever because of a lack of volunteers.

With the Games due to end on Sunday, clubs across the borough are bracing themselves for an expected surge in interest due to Team GB’s phenomenal gold medal success.

But Len Quartly, chairman of Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club, warned without volunteers coming forward to support their work coaches would be overwhelmed and there was a risk youngsters in particular could miss out.

“We need to get more adults involved. We already have a waiting list and if we get swamped we are just not going to be able to cope and I guess it’s the same for all clubs,” he said.

“Even if they just watch what the kids are doing that takes the pressure off the coaches but if they want to be a coach and get involved then there are paths we can put them on.”

Andrea Paice, head coach and manager of Bromsgrove Gymnastics Club based at Meadows First School, said from September a satellite club was being set-up at Alvechurch Middle School on Tuesdays between 6pm and 7pm as demand had gone through the roof.

“Over the weekend we have just been inundated with phone calls and enquiries,” she said.

She said the club was part of British Gymnastics leadership academy programme - which encourages people to help with coaching, judging and other work as well as developing their own skills - which was helping to meet the shortfall in volunteers but she added: “We are always looking for more.”

Steve Brewster, director of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Partnership, said from September a big push was planned on recruiting volunteers, raising awareness of sports and activities available locally and supporting people who wanted to set-up clubs for minority sports not accessible such as handball.

“We are trying to harness the Games Makers helping out at London 2012 by saying don’t just go and help out for a fortnight, volunteer over a longer period of time with clubs locally. We will be looking to place people in the community and they will get rewarded for the number of hours they do.”

To get involved with the athletics club visit www.bromsgroveandredditchac.sportcentric.com, or for the gymnastics club call Andrea Paice on 07540 671196.

Regional news »