GOING FOR GOLD!
HAILSHAM could win a place on the London Olympic medal-winners map if the town's long-awaited dream of a dedicated sports centre becomes reality.
Campaigners believe moves to secure a site for an arena could soon bear fruit providing housing developers make good their promise of leisure land.
At a meeting on Monday night councillors and sports organisers met to discuss the way forward.
And Hailsham Harriers secretary Doug Chant named eight home-grown young athletes who could represent Britain in 2012.
He said they could all be medal-winners if they are able to hone their skills in the right environment close to the town.
Sports Alliance member and arena campaigner Cllr Jo Bentley worked closely with campaigner Jim West. Both said discussions with developer Rydon Homes were making excellent progress. As part of a planning agreement land at Welbury Farm had been earmarked for leisure purposes.
As well as a purpose-built arena, she said the land could also be used for field sports and a running or jogging track.
Cllr Bentley said: 'This has been a dream for a long time but we are now hopeful we are making some recognisable progress towards a successful outcome.
'I really believe a state-of-the-art sports and leisure facility could go a long way towards solving problems of vandalism.
'We hope we can work with our colleagues at Wealden, Sport England and our very co-operative developers to secure this for Hailsham.
'At present we are the only Wealden town with no dedicated athletics or field sports facility.'
Would-be Olympians are Ollie Freeman, 19, who was in the national press top ten for the most likely athlete to win a gold and currently trains as a Hailsham Harrier as well as with Glen Cook's famous Bodyworks triathlon squad.
Other triathletes are David Giles, 20, and Yvette Grice, 22, also in the British Junior Tri-Squad.
Craig Ivemy, 19, competed in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia coming fifth in spite of injury.
Doug Chant said Craig, when fit, could beat the winner's time hands-down.
Todd Leckie, 18, has been a member of the Harriers since 1998 and is currently in the British Junior Tri Squad.
Former St Bede's pupil Ben Warren, 22, is current county cross country champion and has recently returned from training in South Africa with Kelly Holmes.
Tom Sargent, 24, and Charlotte Saunders, 26, are both winning duathletes.
Mr Chant added that the Harriers had up-and-coming under 14-year-olds and the club was Sussex Grand Prix champions nine times.
He said: 'Just think what we could do if the facilities were there for the town. We hope the Government and Sport England help us to achieve this.'
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Weather for Lewes
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
