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Refurbished facilities show athletics club is racing ahead

Posted onPosted on 27th Jul

Mansfield Harriers has officially opened refurbished facilities at its Berry Hill Park home.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the athletics club’s refurbished facilities.

State-of-the-art lighting has been installed at the track thanks to funding from England Athletics, Harriers, Mansfield District Council and the Radford Foundation, a charity set up by Mansfield Town Football Club owners John and Carolyn Radford.

TOP: Ted Grey, hurdles coach, receives a volunteer award from England Athletics East Midlands, watched by invited guests at the opening of Mansfield Harriers’ refurbished facilities. ABOVE: Pat Carlan, the Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, and Rob Newton.

The running track has been professionally cleaned and the changing rooms and clubhouse refurbished.

The mayor joined the club’s chairman, Pat Carlan, and past member Rob Newton, a former Olympic hurdler, to officially open the facilities.

Among others present were club committee members and coaches as well as Coun Andy Burgin, the district council’s portfolio holder for leisure and environment; Mansfield MP Ben Bradley; Mansfield Town FC manager Nigel Clough; the chief executive of the football club, David Sharpe, and Nottinghamshire county councillors.

Ted Grey, hurdles coach, was presented with a volunteer award by England Athletics East Midlands. Ted has been coaching at the top level for more than 60 years, including coaching Rob Newton to the Olympic Games.

Pat, who thanked everyone who had been involved in the project, said: “It is fantastic for the club to be back home and to see the children’s faces lit up.

“This is not just for the Harriers, but also for track and field athletics and cross country events.

“The local community can use it as well, which is very important.

“Lots of people are getting more active as a result of the pandemic and we want to forge links with schools and other organisations, which will provide an opportunity for the club to develop.”

Mayor Andy added: “The refurbishment of facilities is the next stage of the club’s long history, and it’s all come about through working together.

“We have the same aspirations, to improve health and wellbeing of communities.

“These fantastic facilities will help get more people involved in athletics and sport as well as put Mansfield on the map to be the centre of athletics regionally.”