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An athletics sporting hero

John Renney, an I.T. Manager, has enjoyed athletics since childhood as a member of his local athletics club.  As a youngster he enjoyed competing across a range of track and field events, including triple jump, 1500m and javelin. John went on to enjoy participating regularly until his early thirties when he took a break and became a father.

In 2004, when John’s sons were a little older, they all rejoined his old club. A recruitment campaign by the Tony Blair Sports Foundation was being held at the club and John decided it was time to give something back to the club that had given him and now his sons, so much enjoyment.

 John tells us; “The Foundation has been a great help. Not just by subsidising my training fees, but also their support and advice in obtaining the right credentials which allows me to work with the kids has been invaluable.”

“I’m currently working with eight kids at the club on endurance, which is a big help to the team. The experience has been life changing for me, as I have now decided I want to go on to coach as much as I can.  With the support of the Foundation I have progressed to take the new UKA Athletics Coach Award which will allow me to take my own coaching sessions. I have started volunteering at a local primary school, teaching athletics to 25 eight year old pupils which is a fantastic not just for my professional development, but for the school and the great kids involved.”

John concludes: “Working with the Foundation and my club I have set myself some clear targets; to get more athletics coaches working in our local schools and to bring the schools and clubs closer together, therefore increasing the number of junior athletes across the region.  All of this would be much harder to do without the help and support of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation.”