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The North Eastern Counties in decline?

2010 was the last time a major event was held at Gateshead International Stadium.

The North Eastern Counties.

One of the highlights of the track and field calendar here in the region, where hundreds of athletes from the ages of eight right up to their 40s come to compete at Gateshead International Stadium.

But over the last few years the event has gone into a somewhat decline.

Back when I first began to compete in 2004, I can remember my first ever 100m there, the main stand packed, hundreds of athletes moving in and about the stadium and also a great big bag of nerves!

Although I ran it in 12.4s, I’ll never forget the roar while I was sprinting, well what I remember of it anyway.

In 2008 they really took it up a notch. Call up areas; electronic timing and pressure sensitive equipment for the blocks really did bring the event up there with national events I felt.

Fast forward eight years later and it is the complete opposite.

When I took Trackside Blog to cover day two of the 2012 championships, it was so depressing and sad to see so few competitors involved there.

Only one side of the stadium was barely full, the grassed area was in the middle of getting a makeover and most of the scheduled heats were made into straight finals.

It’s disappointing to see how badly this competition has fallen; the likes of Richard Kilty, Rabah Yousif and Chris Kirk have all competed in it over the years.

Could the recession be to blame?  Is it the council? It really is hard to say who could be at fault for it but some of the blame has to fall upon the athletes as well when some decided not to show. Injured athletes are exempt.

The reality is that in 5 years’ time the Counties could be written off and dead and buried which as both and athlete and a reporter would be such a shame because it’s one of the biggest competitions in North East Athletics.

The stadium has already lost its Diamond League status and not held a UKA event since 2010 which for promotion up here is disastrous.

If you haven’t noticed also it is and Olympics year, the government are complaining how not enough kids get out and do sport.

It’s like the North East doesn’t exist in their eyes, so sadly, until the recession is sorted and money starts coming through thick and fast it could be end for the North East Counties.

I really hope not, it is a competition with great history and a strong following through parents, coaches and of course the athletes, I just hope that next time I write about it, there is something to write about.