Bournemouth Athletic Club enjoying “resurgence” amid rise in interest

A Dorset athletics club is enjoying a “resurgence” in the sport – with members ranging from eight years old to over 100.

Bournemouth Athletic Club has more than 100 members on its books, and a long waiting list to join.

Simon Saunders, the club’s coaches representative, said athletics is “going through a new era”, describing in interest in the sport as “strong”.

The club, at Kings Park Athletic Centre, is run almost entirely by volunteers, and prides itself on an inclusivity.

Saunders said: “We try hard to provide coaching opportunities. It’s about opening up opportunity for people.

“I think it’s really important for young athletes to see that society is made up of all sorts of people with all sorts of challenges.”

The club offers training and competition at all levels in track and field disciplines, cross-country and road running.

It welcomes junior athletes as young as eight, offering a chance to represent the club at competitions from under 10s to under 20s, a move that was only introduced this year in an attempt to promote youth development.

It also caters for those in the Masters category – 35 years and over – with some taking up the sport well into later life.

“There are some amazing and inspirational characters that have decided to start running marathons in their 70s,” Saunders added.

Among the most famous club members is war veteran Luke Sinnott, a para-athlete who has represented Great Britain in various international athletics competitions, winning gold at the 2016 Invictus Games.

Sinnott is the poster boy for a club that is thriving among young and old.

“Interest in athletics is quite strong at the moment,” Saunders said. “We’re going through a new era, a resurgence in British athletics.”