Olympics BMX scheme seeks support

Rotherham BMX Club hope to offer their Kimberworth track as an acclimatisation and preparation base for national teams taking part in the London 2012 Olympics.

Around £250,000 is needed to bring the course behind Winterhill School up to standard and, if successful, the scheme would not only bring kudos to the town but leave a superb facility for Rotherham's growing band of BMX riders.

Club coach Kelvin Batey is appealing for help from local businesses and other organisations to make the dream a reality.

He said: "National teams are interested in coming here if the track is good enough to train on.

"We're appealing for funding and support from local business and from other sources to help us redevelop it.

"The whole project will cost around £250,000 and we're already looking into as many ways of finding the cash as we can."

The track already hosts between 70 and 80 riders on club nights and has strong links with Winterhill School. Pupils there use it during PE time.

Four Winterhill pupils are ranked in the top three in their age range in the country and Rotherham BMX Club itself has 15 riders ranked nationally.

Kelvin added: "We want to create a brilliant facility for the run-up Olympics and for local kids to train on. It's a worthy cause so if anyone out there can help us, please get in touch."

Anyone interested in supporting the project can speak to Kelvin in the PE department via the main Winterhill switchboard on 01709 740232.