In the last week Birchfield Harriers has been advised by Birmingham City Council that it will have no access to the main stadium track or the warm-up track on Club nights until after the Commonwealth Games in 2022. This is contrary to what the Club was initially told by the City since the announcement that they were to host the Games.
This is a blow to the Club, particularly on the back of the current situation with COVID-19, and one which it did not expect. This loss of facilities is also a major issue for those athletes who are striving to be competing at the Games in their home city.
Through the Trustees the Club is trying to see if there will be any movement in this position but currently, outside of the HiPAC it will have no track facilities until late 2022.
In recognition of this and the desire to keep the Club going the Committee has made a decision to reduce the membership fee. Any member who has paid, or will pay, their membership fee before August 31
st
will get one year’s free membership so will not be asked to pay a fee in April 2021. The only exception to this is the payment of the England Registration fee for those members who wish to compete.
At this moment in time the Club is trying to secure alternative training venues, in particular for its throwers and middle distance athletes who are not able to train fully in the HiPAC which will be open once more, although we have no date for this as yet.
This is a very disappointing situation for the members of Birchfield Harriers and the Committee is now trying everything in its power to keep the Club together, both in spirit and financially. It is determined to ensure that the UK’s leading and most successful athletics club still holds that position after the Commonwealth Games is over. Birchfield Harriers is key to the legacy of athletics in Birmingham post the Games and it asks its members to continue to support and compete for it during this very difficult time.