Controversial

I was totally gobsmacked by the quality of the new Scotstoun facility last week: what athlete wouldn't be inspired training in these surroundings on a regular basis. The comparison with what we (don't) have is stark. And there seems to be no hope of a track and field facility in Clydebank for at least another twelve months (ie not before 2011). The field events facility at Postie's is good and we could really do something with it were we to have access to it as and when we needed it. Unfortunately we are are at the mercy of a club which seems to have no ambitions for adult athletics: they stop training at 7:30 when most clubs are starting. Any working man or woman has to get home, eat something, no matter how little, change and get to the facility. To do this and be there in time for a session starting at 6:30 is virtually impossible. Unless we can get some co-operation on later hours then this is not a suitable facility.

So with no T&F facility we can either use Glasgow's all the time and struggle with VPAAC, Giffnock North and the rest for access to the jumps and throws. Or we can do a Cambuslang and swear off everything but running events. Become a running club rather than an athletic club. After all, they seem to do OK and have runners in all age groups and were the first club in Glasgow to get the Clubmark award. Is it an idea?

I remember a coversation with Tommy Boyle in the very early 90's about starting up club development. We agreed that you start with running because uou can develop top class athletes with minimum facilities and in some cases track training can damage a young athlete. Then you develop the throws section for the same reason: you can coach throws in playing fields or farmers' fields. And finally you go for the jumps because you DO need expensive facilities for that.

The above argument was deliberately provocative. I'm determined to get some interaction on this blog one way or the other. My position will be on the next one! Let's have your comments!