WHEN Hyndburn Council staged their annual Just For Fun Athletics course they expected youngsters from across the borough to take part - but not from as far away as Spain!

But that is exactly what happened when Fiona and Ferdi Ribes turned up for the two day course at Wilson's playing fields in Clayton-le -Moors.

Organisers were surprised to learn that the two had been enrolled for the course by their parents while on a month long stay in the country visiting relatives.

But coach Ian Coffey of Hyndburn Athletics Club first learnt that they were from further afield when he asked them if they wanted to join the club - only to be told that Spain was probably a bit too far to travel!

He said: "It was a bit of a shock to learn that they actually lived in Spain and I didn't find out until I asked if they were interested in joining the club. But I have to agree with them that Spain is probably a bit too far to travel from."

It was the first time Hyndburn Athletics Club had linked up with the council to run the course but Ian reckons it is the perfect way to attract youngsters to a sport that constantly lives in the shadow of football.

Youngsters got the chance to take part in a full programme of track and field events under the guidance of club members.

And because the course concentrates on the fun aspect of athletics it has become increasingly popular with the both days fully booked up. Just For Fun provides an action-packed six-week long summer of activities for children and has also included fun and games session and cricket coaching.

The athletics course, which runs again this Thursday and Friday, was divided into two sessions with youngsters taking part in the sprints and throwing disciplines on Thursday while they took part in the jumping events, such as long jump and high jump, on the Friday.

Mr Coffey added: "This is the first time the club has been involved with the Fun For All event and I definitely think that this is the way forward in attracting youngsters to the sport.

"Whereas before football seemed to stop in the summer, children now appear to be playing all year round whether they are training or competing in tournaments and sports like athletics have suffered.

"To be honest I was surprised to find out how popular these courses were and in the end we had to turn some youngsters away."

Mr Coffey believes that this course is not only beneficial to youngsters but to the athletics club as well.

He said: "It gives us a chance to look at some children to see if they have the potential of becoming athletes. I have been able to recruit a handful of new members because of the course which otherwise I would not have been able to do." However the club still remains desperately short of boys who continually turn to football.

Mr Coffey added: "It was about time another Linford Christie emerged to help highlight the sport and catch the imagination. We don't seem to do too badly with girls but it is the boys where we suffer because they prefer to play football."

Anyone interested in joining the Hyndburn Athletics Club they are welcome to attend training sessions at Wilson's playing fields every Tuesday and Thursday between 6.30-7.30pm or contact Mr Coffey on 01254 383208.

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