Athletics and harriers club needs more helpers
More than 70 years of history could be forced to wind down if the Winton Athletics and Harriers Club can’t attract more helpers.
It’s the worst-case scenario and something they hope doesn’t happen, but the current members are also realistic.
The committee currently has a number of long-serving volunteers who have stepped away from the club, leaving the remaining few members with little option but to seek help.
Winton Athletics and Harriers Club president Emma Hammond said closing the club down was being considered.
“We don’t want to do that. We want to see it continuing but it’s just becoming too hard. The few of us involved cannot run everything and we really need some more helpers.”
Hammond said they were interested in listening to anybody who had different ideas, or might be able to help attract more people.
“Athletics has been a big part of many kids’ upbringing in Winton. It’s a fun hour or so of them having a go at different things. It’s not too serious here.
“We can change the day or time if we have to and if will suit more then we can look into things like that, we’d just love to have more helpers and if they aren’t helping, why is that and how can we attract them.”
The likes of Connor Gilliland, Ollie Davis, Atipa Mabonga and Carlie Scherp all started out their athletics career with the Winton club before moving into Invercargill when they became more competitive with the sport, while there’s been plenty of former professional athletes who did athletics through the club in their junior days.
The club used to be based at Midlands Rugby Club, but about a decade ago moved to the Central Southland College fields where they have been based since.
“It’s great to be here because we don’t have to do much maintenance because we’re incredibly lucky the school does a lot of that,” life member Vicki-Lynne Hubber said. “It a catalyst for all sports. You run, jump and throw.”
The trio acknowledged times had changed but were open to changes if it meant things worked or attracted new faces.
“We have been trying to get a good consistent group of people and we understand it’s hard but we’re not sure why now that we’re continually struggling to get help,” Hammond said.
“We can’t all do this forever. We need helpers. Our numbers have dropped but we still need that parent help.”
Hubber said they used to get Athletics Southland development officers visiting schools but that doesn’t happen anymore.
“The people just aren’t there. If they are worried about not knowing what to do we can help them,” she said.
“It’s quite devastating that I have a granddaughter starting and this could be the end and she may not get to be part of the club.”
If Winton folds there will be no athletics club for the country clubs outside of Invercargill and Gore. “Two years ago we had about 75 kids which was great for us, now we’re less than half of that,” said coaching co-ordinator Campbell Laughton.
Hammond said the club could go into recess but then might not have the people to bring it back to life a few years down the line.
A meeting is being held at 7pm on May 14 at the Villa 379 Great North Rd in Winton.