Sport

DOWNPOUR: Action from Wimborne Athletics Club meeting

Athletics club back on track

Wimborne Athletics Club returned to South West League action on Sunday for the first time since they won the Championship in 2019. The league, which has been split in half to reflect a need to reduce travel in the covid outbreak, was a much quieter six- team match at Yeovil. Top performances came from Finlay Carvell 13.3 in the under 13 100 metres, Harry Ryan 12.4 in the under 13 hurdles and Freya Blundell 12.9 in the under 15s 100 metres. Isla O’ Connor 5.06.5 and India West 5.23.3 scored a onetwo in the under 15s 1500. India also won the long jump with 4m65. There were wins also for Curtis Ormerod Taylor in the senior men’s 100 11.2, Ben Martin in the senior men’s steeplechase 7.55.3, Max Chater in the under 15 hurdles 14.5, Charlie Cleall 28.5 in the under-13 200 metres, Eva Welstead 12.8 in the under-15 hurdles and Toby Hiller 6.16 metres in the senior men’s long jump. Scores: 1: Taunton 261 2: Wimborne 236, 3: Yeovil 206, 4: Poole AC 194, 5: Dorchester 129 6: Mendip 55.

Site for Cherries’ new sports complex revealed

By Faith Eckersall

newsdesk@ stourandavon.net

AFC Bournemouth has announced its intention to build its new Community Sports Trust at Long Lane in Ringwood. The facility will see the town acquire a new full size 3G artificial turf pitch (ATP), improvements to existing grass pitches, a redeveloped car park and a new pavilion with changing rooms at the home of Ringwood Town FC. In a joint statement, AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, Ringwood Town Council and Ringwood Town Football Club announced they would soon be putting in a formal planning application for the ‘innovative and exciting’ development. They are being supported by New Forest District Council, the Football Foundation and Hampshire County FA. AFCB Community Sports Trust said: “The significant investment into the redevelopment at Long Lane represents an opportunity to develop an excellent sporting and social facility for the town of Ringwood. “The site will continue to be the home of Ringwood Town FC and will enable staff and players associated with AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust to be based on site. !Crucially, a number of community programmes will also be based on site and all in the one location.” Head of Community Steve Cuss said: “Being able to bring together a number of community programmes at a dedicated site will ensure that we continue to engage the local community and offer programmes from young to old.” Ringwood Town FC chairman Phil King said he was ‘thrilled’ by the ‘important milestone’. “We are working so closely together to deliver facilities fit for the modern age and something the club and people of Ringwood can be proud of,” he said. A public information session will take place at the Long Lane club on Friday, July 16, from 10am-12pm and on Saturday, July 17 from 9.30am-12pm.

Help Alice make a child’s wish come true

Alice Scott, a personal trainer from Wimborne who helps women with pre- and post-natal preparation and recovery, is running the London Marathon to raise funds to do just that. She hopes to raise £2,000 in sponsorship for the Round Table Children’s Wish charity, which is dedicated to granting hand-crafted wishes to children with lifethreatening illnesses. “When you donate, you’re directly impacting a child’s life, literally making their wish come true, so any amount really does help,” says Alice, who signed up for the October marathon her first ever - on a whim. She knows it will be no walk in the park, saying: “Although I’m a PT and into my fitness, I’ve never ran more than 7k in my life, without getting an injury. “Believe me, this is going to be a massive challenge, but when I looked into the charity, I knew it would be worth it. n You can donate at uk.virginmoneygiving. com/AliceScott9