It came as a shock to many when Belgrave Harriers announced they would be leaving the British Athletics League (BAL), but could the worst be yet to come?
The Wimbledon based club confirmed the departure of their men’s team on February 5, as their 33-year-long team coach, Bill Laws, stepped down.
Belgrave is one of Britain’s oldest and most famous track and field clubs, hosting athletes such as triple jumper Phillips Idowu, and sprinter Dwain Chambers in their time.
Having founded the league back in 1969, Belgrave have been a prominent name ever since, with a remarkable 11 Premier Division titles to boast, as well as countless Cups.
Bill had been wanting to leave for three years, but stayed on due to the clubs inability to find a replacement.
Although still unable to unearth this elusive person, Bill eventually took the plunge, which resulted in the clubs decision: ‘’Rather than face the season in Division One in a half-hearted manner, now is the time to bite the bullet.’’
Bill’s resignation was undoubtedly the overpowering reason for the move, but Belgrave claimed their was several other reasons for bowing out of the BAL. Lack of top level athletes, thousands of pounds saved annually and a slight change in focus, have all contributed to the clubs big blow, too.
Although the men will be leaving Division One, the women’s team will continue competing in the UK Women’s Athletics League, and the Southern Athletics League will still be available for both genders, too.
Belgrave was founded in 1887, and in their heyday accumulated up to 30 volunteer officials, but at an all time low, the club can now only account for six. If dominant forces such as Belgrave can’t survive, is there reason for smaller clubs to worry?
Bill explained: “Mo Farah is now virtually supporting the sport, and it used to be Paula Radcliffe. You don’t need many for the sport to look as though it’s successful but, in point of fact, for those in the know, the sport has declined to such a degree that it is now a minor sport really.”
However, the sport has recently been rewarded with an investment of £22 million, a rise of £1.6million, for the next four-year cycle, due to increased participation levels since 2008. Although the 2,033,700 figure (from their Active People Survey) included recreational joggers, Sport England put the number taking part in track and field at 91,700.
Belgrave’s bold move will inevitably stir up talks of concern, but with around 1,200 affiliated athletics clubs in England, the condition of the sport could may well have been blown out of proportion.
Thousands of athletes enjoy local events and leagues week in, week out, that don’t cost huge sums of money to fund. These people might not be the future Mo Farah’s or Jess Ennis’ of the country, but they are the foundation of sport. The mass of athletes that keeps track and field going at grassroots level.
They might not give us national success at global events, but they keep the sport going, and keep people coming into the sport. And, after all, the more people we get coming into the sport, the more likely we are to find the future stars of the nation.
Yes, it is a great shame that Belgrave have been unable to sustain their long-standing presence in the BAL, but no, it is not a reflection of the sport as a whole.
