TRAFFORD Atheltic Club nestling neatly at the side of Longford Park on the borders of Chorlton and Stretford is looking forward to being south Manchester's athletics club for the Millenium as it prepares for the new season.

And it is also eagerly anticipating the building of a new clubhouse, incorporating top-class social facilities as well as a fitness centre and indoor training facility thanks to funding from the National Lottery, with work due to start on this in a few months time.

The club, founded in the 1970's when it moved to its fine base at Longford Stadium, has produced a string of international athletes including the likes of Sharon Colyear, Shirley Strong and Paul Thomas over the years with Britain's top pole vaulter Janine Whitlock their current top star.

The club has had superb team successes over the years with their ladies team being British champions on several occasions.

The club perhaps takes greater pride in taking in promising youngsters and nurturing them carefully to reach their maximum potential and above all giving them a sport and a club they can enjoy.

Master coach Jim Harris has been with the club since it was founded and has a great say in the club's philosophy and fortunes over the years.

Jim said: "We host numerous schools cross country and athletic meetings and our unrivalled facilities with grandstand and terracing provide a great venue for events.

"We give youngsters the chance to join the club at an early age and give them a rounded athletics education with the emphasis on enjoyment and quality rather than winning.

"Trafford also hosts the biggest Open Meetings in Britain each month throughout the year, sponsored by Up and Running Sports, and they attract hundreds of club and international stars with a feature being the British Milers Club 88m and 1500m races.

"The first of the summer Open Meets is on April 27 and the others are all on Tuesday evenings - May 18, June 1, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17 and August 31.

"As well as providing great competition they provide an excellent opportunity for spectators to view some top athletics in comfortable facilites.

"The club also encourages people not interested in becoming stars of track and field but who wish to develop their fitness to enjoy their facilities and the unique club atmosphere we have at Trafford - we have had people into their 80's taking part in our training.

"Just turn up on Tuesday and Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings, introduce yourselves to club officials and we will do the rest.

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