Halesowen athletics club hoping to host stars of 2022 Games

Halesowen could host some of the world’s top athletes if a bid to provide a training camp ahead of the Commonwealth Games is successful.

International cyclist Alistair Fielding trains at Halesowen during lockdown

Halesowen Athletic & Cycling Club is hoping its Manor Abbey sports ground will be selected as a training venue ahead of the Games coming to Birmingham in 2022.

David Viner, a club trustee, said the ground was ideally suited to hosting athletics, track cycling and triathlon teams.

The club has submitted a bid with the Birmingham 2022 organisers, and Mr Viner said it would be a huge boost to the town if the club was selected.

Some of the 71 nations and territories taking part in the Games are looking to set up camps to prepare for the event, and the organising committee has invited clubs and local authorities in the West Midlands to submit tenders.

Halesowen Athletic & Cycling Club is hoping to provide a training camp ahead of the Commonwealth Games

Mr Viner said the club had top-class facilities, including a four-lane, 375m running track, and said its location on the edge of the Worcestershire countryside made it an ideal location for triathlon teams to practise road cycling.

He said: “Making the facilities at Manor Abbey as a training camp for competitors in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games would be a great opportunity for our members and the local community to engage in what is going to be a huge sporting event.

“What better way is there to inspire local youngsters into sport.

“A lot of people won’t be able to see the competition, but there might be a chance to see the top athletes working on their training.”

One of the club’s most famous members is tandem cyclist Helen Scott, with four Commonwealth Games gold medals to her name.

Youngsters from Dudley Invictus try out the cycling track

Some of the 71 nations and territories taking part in the Games are looking to set up camps to prepare for the Games, which will be the largest sporting event to have been held in the West Midlands.

Bosses say hosting national teams could not only provide an economic boost, but also raise the profile of the venues and inspire young people from local clubs.

Work has already begun on the £73 million Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick, which is due to be completed by Spring 2022.

Any local authority, facility manager or sports club interested in hosting pre-games training camps for whole delegations or single sports teams can email: B2022trainingcamps@dcms.gov.uk