Money and Sport

It is no big secret that the club has suffered greatly from the decision by the late unlamented Strathclyde Council to evict us from the only 400 metre eight lane track in either West Dunbartonshire or East Dunbartonshire at Whitecrook. Recruitment has fallen away in all age groups and that has been compunded for the endurance runners by the following decision to exclude us from the baths at Bruce Street on grounds of health and safety. The result has been different training venues for Senior Road Runners and young athletes whatever their event. The eventual move for the whole club to the new St Peter's HS can only benefit all sections of the club.

The 'Herald' yesterday had an article on the need to adapt to the new economic climate in Britain by deciding where money should be spent and saying that all sports were seeking money - even the dreaded football. To me, football is the curse of sport in Scotland - there are no good players in the country - not a single Scot would make a European team never mind a World side. Swimmers might, cyclists certainly would, boxers could but football players? Never. The article had the sense to say - "Football clubs that have ruined more aspiring youngsters than they have brought on might have difficulty proving that they deserve public cash." Never was a truer word spoken but when it comes to spending money West Dunbartonshire finds it more convenient to give it to ------- football! It's a disgrace.

Recently the local authority published a sports pitches strategy. One of the findings was that there has been what Gordon Brown would call a "Zero percent increase" in participation in athletics. This has surprised no one in the club: no facilities + no encouragement by schools = no increase in take up! We need to recruit. In the early 1990's when the young athletes team was low in numbers (but still in the top three or four in the league) we asked each child to bring along one friend. This would have resulted in a 100% increase in membership - we only got 80% increase. The point of this post is to ask all members to make it a point to encourage friends and relatives to come along to training at the club. This goes for adults as well. WE NEED MEMBERS - it is not someone else's job. All members are responsible for the strength of the club. Do it.