AN ATHLETICS coach has hit back at claims that there is no need for a running track at Thurnscoe.

“It’s all right saying that there are facilities for runners at Cudworth and Sheffield, but travelling takes two hours out of training,” said Trevor Fox who has been coaching at Dearneside Athletics Club for 20 years.

“We have elite middle distance runners and pole vaulters in the Dearne who need and deserve local facilities. Okay, we can’t have an eight lane track, but surely it’s not beyond the possibility of a pole vault pit and long jump with run-ups and, maybe, a throwing area.

“You only have to look at the rankings and the age groups from the under 15s through to seniors, and they are all from the Dearne. I want to be able to ring them up and have them training within ten minutes, but we’ve never been consulted.”

The Barnsley Dearne Partnership has appointed a sports development worker with Sport England/Lottery cash which was granted about two years ago. He will be setting up activities at the former Hickleton Main welfare ground.

Dearneside Athletics Club, which is based at Dearne High, has considerable success, especially in field events, with young champion athletes such as pole vaulter Luke Cutts of Thurnscoe and former pole vaulter Christian Linskey.