Track hero Yvonne Murray looking for young stars

Jul 8 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

TRACK queen Yvonne Murray-Mooney hopes a summer athletics programme will inspire Monklands youngsters to future glory on the international stage.

The 44-year-old is organising North Lanarkshire Leisure’s Star:track scheme that will see kids aged between 7-15 benefit from professional athletics coaching.

A two-day training stint will be held at Coatbridge Outdoor Sports Centre on Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30.

Each session will run from 10am until 3pm and the total cost for participation over both days is £10. Everyone who takes part will receive a t-shirt and a goody bag.

With the London Olympics in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow two years later, young sports stars are setting their sights high.

And Yvonne believes kids could take their first steps towards competing in those major events later this month.

“Kids will get the chance to work with qualified athletics coaches for two days so it is a wonderful opportunity for them,” she told the Advertiser.

“You find that a lot of kids take part in their school sports day want to get more involved in athletics, so Star:track is an initiative designed to assist that.

“This type of event is a wonderful opportunity in trying to encourage more young people into sport.

“Star:track is a fun of activity, but it also acts as an opportunity for those who might want to have a career in athletics.

“We are trying to make the kids aware of the opportunities that are available to them and there is a pathway in place to help them achieve their goals.

“Once the kids get into athletics clubs, there is the chance to make the North Lanarkshire development squads where they will get all the support they require.”

Yvonne enjoyed a glittering career on the track and clinched the bronze medal in the final of the 3000 metres at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She struck gold six years later in the 10,000 metres final at the Commonwealth Games in Canada.

Now an athletics development officer with NLL, she wants to pass on her wealth of experience to those who are dreaming of becoming stars.

“I didn’t start running until I was aged 14 when I went straight into an athletics club,” she added.

“I was very committed and determined but this was my passion and I knew from an early age that this is what I wanted to do.

“I had only been running for a couple of months when I watched Alan Wells win the gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980. I told my mum and dad that I was going to do that too.

“Eight years later, not only did I stand on the start line for the 3000 metres final at the Seoul Olympics, but I managed to win a bronze medal.

“It just shows that if you are determined and focused and have that dream, then you should just go for it.

“Athletics changed my life completely and I feel quite honoured to be able to pass on my experience to the next generation.”

Yvonne is excited by the pool of athletics talent in Monklands and says the high-profile competitions in London and Glasgow can be used as powerful motivational tools.

She continued: “Kids are very informed. They know what is happening, they know how big the events in 2012 and 2014 are and they want to be part of it all.

“I want to make sure there is a pathway for them. If kids just want to have fun, that’s great; if they want to become Olympic champion, we will be there for them.”

l For a Star:track application form, call NLL on (01236) 437756.