Dell hopes for major athletics

Brierley Hill’s Dell Stadium could soon host international competitions if a leading athletics body decides its facilities make the grade.

The stadium is tomorrow being inspected by UK Athletics officials.

Currently the Dell in Bryce Road is not ranked as a venue for international games because certain equipment was not up to scratch. The pole vault and throwing circle used for the hammer and discus failed to meet the required standards leading to the stadium being awarded a restricted certificate by UK Athletics in June.

Since then work has been carried out to level the surface of the throwing circle and make the size of the pole vault bed bigger.

Dudley Council is now confident the Dell will be upgraded from a level five to a level one rating. Council spokesman Phil Parker said: “The Dell Stadium will be inspected tomorrow by UK Athletics when we are confident the venue will be awarded a level one certificate which will mean it is fit to hold all levels of competition from school games to international events.”

The council came in for criticism earlier this year when it was revealed competitions including the Dudley Schools Championship were held outside the borough because of a lack of equipment at the Dell.