Back the track

A GROWING number of budding young athletes in North Somerset, their parents and coaches are pulling out all the stops to build an indoor athletics training facility they can be proud of and call their own.

They are supporting Back the Track – a two-year innovative fundraising campaign to create an athletics venue in the county which will help them to build on the successes they have achieved in other athletics arenas throughout the South West.

Aimed at giving youngsters of all abilities the chance to train and compete in a wide range of athletics events, the club has grown from four members in 2004 to more than 300 today and has become one of the most successful in the South West.

The nearest tracks to North Somerset are 30 miles away at Yate or Bath, the youngsters who range from eight to 18 have no choice but to train in sports halls and outdoors on playing fields to hone their athletics skills. Back the Track aims to change all that by providing an year-round training facility which will enable them to compete on more equal terms with other young athletes in the region.

Head coach and club founder Chris Millard said: “North Somerset Athletics Club has come a very long way in a short time. When we started this club the idea of having our own training facility seemed like a distant dream, but with all the support we have I believe it can become a reality.”

“We have looked seriously at the options and believe we can build something which will ensure there’s a future for athletics in our area. Despite the lack of training facilities, our athletes are achieving great things, winning competitions and events wherever they travel, but I can’t help thinking how much more we can achieve with the right facilities.”

North Somerset athletes are off to a strong start in realising their aims with a number of fundraising and awareness events planned over the next two years running up to the Olympics.

They hope these eye-catching and innovative occasions will attract the attention of local people and businesses who want to be involved and support the club’s ambitions to create a training facility for all and develop the county’s growing athletics reputation.

For more information about Back the Track visit