Keeping athletics on track

Originally from the Midlands, Great Britain and Northern Ireland javelin thrower, Emma Hamplett, moved to Bury St Edmunds in 2019 to train with her coach, Michael McNeill. All was going well until the pandemic hit in 2020. With all competitions stopped and training grounds closed, Emma (an U18s British Record Holder and England Commonwealth Youth Games gold medal winner) was forced to train mostly at home.

Towards the end of 2020, England Athletics announced that elite athletes would be allowed to restart training. But finding a local sports ground that was open and that would accommodate new users proved tricky for Emma and her coach. After trying several venues in and around her local area, Emma contacted Diss Town Council in January this year to see if the athletics track at the Diss Sports Ground was available.

After a visit to assess suitability and all the relevant risk assessments and administration checks, Emma and her coach started to use the track twice a week for training just a few weeks later. “Diss Town Council granted us access to their facility during a very difficult time, when many tracks could not facilitate our request,” said Emma. “They were so friendly, accommodating, helpful and quick to respond. The facility was perfect and just what we needed. Being able to train on the track allowed me to continue progressing my timing, and for my sequencing for technical changes to develop. It made a huge difference to my training and particularly in my build-up to various competitions. It inevitably allowed me to secure 3rd at this year’s British Athletics Championships, 2nd at the English Athletics Championships and 1st place at the Midland Counties Athletics Championships. I can’t thank them enough.” Looking ahead, Emma’s next ambition is to make the 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to take place in Birmingham. And to keep throwing into her late 50s. “Taking part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games would be very special,” said Emma. “I grew up in Staffordshire so this would be at my home track.”

Diss Sports Ground and skate park are located on Shelfanger Road. The facility is owned by Diss Town Council and is used by local clubs for football and athletics. It’s also home to Merryfields Playschool. The ground has Diss’ only allweather floodlit athletics training facility and is available for private hire for sporting and recreational purposes.