Sports Hall Athletics

Posted by: Selina Fox
Dated: Fri 16th January 2009 10.57AM

www.sportshall.org

The remarkable story of Sportshall

Sportshall Athletics was created in the United Kingdom by George Bunner in 1976 to introduce young people to the joy of athletics. He recognised that training on dark winter nights was unappealing and often meant that many youngsters left athletics clubs over the winter and didn’t return in the summer! However, he encouraged them to come back with inventions such as the Reversaboard which enabled athletes to strike and turn in the same movement and run in the opposite direction. Soon most athletic events were made possible within a sports hall environment. Ron Pickering became the first President of the Sportshall Athletics Association and was so impressed by George’s ideas that he helped by offering improvements and suggestions of his own. George Uren brought his ideas and enthusiasm to the team in 1982.

The lead provided by George Bunner, Ron Pickering and George Uren has inspired others, ensuring that Sportshall Athletics emphasises the importance of team competition, fair play and the fact that taking part and trying your hardest is more important than winning. Sportshall is an activity that can bring together young people across the globe in energetic competition and lasting friendship.