Weir wishes good luck to young hopefuls at Typhoo National Juniors
This weekend over 200 young track and field athletes are going for gold at the Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships. Among the start list, four Weir Archer Academy athletes hoping to set personal bests against their UK peers. We spoke to the co-founder of the Academy, Paralympic and London Marathon legend, David Weir, about the club’s development and the importance of increasing opportunities in sport for disabled people.
The Weir Archer Academy provides athlete and coaching support as well as expertise for people taking part whatever level. This includes working with schools in South London, Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire, and clubs and coaches from the South East. They also provide access to the Academy for international development for under-resourced counties.
“Some come down every day, but the younger ones will only do a few days a week,” David said. “There are between 15-20 on a regular basis - all different levels and abilities.”
David shot to fame at a young age in wheelchair athletics. More than twenty years ago, when Blackpool first hosted the event, he was a rising star in the National Junior Athletics Championships himself. Fast forward to April this year and David won his eighth London Marathon title, aged 38.
Still competing on the road, David retired from track athletics last year. With this wealth of experience, he recognises how crucial it is to provide sporting opportunities for all disabled people from a young age.
“The Academy provides both pathway development, but also a regular opportunity for disabled people to be active. It wasn’t set up to guarantee the next Dave Weir. It was set up to just get more people involved in wheelchair racing. Once you get athletes who are good, they’re knocking on the door to represent the country.
“We’ve got elite coaches and athletes but we’ve got other athletes who may never make it. But it makes them feel good to be part of a club.
“It’s tough as most disabled people are mostly in mainstream schools and are left out a lot from sport. This is another avenue to do sport. They get a chance to do something they love doing and being involved with other people in wheelchairs.
“We’re based at the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness Centre in Kingston. Kingston Council wanted to show support for something that is doing well in their borough and renamed the track.”
In May, the Academy launched a partnership with St Mary’s University, which will help young athletes access the necessary equipment and resources to allow them to train at a high level. It means the University students also benefit from the sport science experiences, supporting Paralympic athletes, which can be rare in an academic environment.
“Our association with St Mary’s means we have a great set-up. All the team can use the facility whenever they want, whether for a strength conditioning coach or sports scientist. So, the athletes are going to get the best treatment from the best in the country.”
What about his days as a junior - how does David remember the National Championships?
“I sometimes forget a lot about being a junior! I still remember racing a girl in Blackpool, who wasn’t wearing any gloves, and she nearly beat me! I attended a few times to represent London. I travelled a lot around the country and the nationals were always the best.”
The four athletes from the Academy will go head-to-head against their regional rivals this weekend, but to Weir, the most important element is savouring memories not medals.
“Good luck to all the athletes taking part. Enjoy it! Don’t feel under too much pressure – just enjoy the experience.”
The Nationals take place at Warwick Athletics Stadium in Coventry. Typhoo and Activity Alliance have teamed up for a fourth year running to support young disabled athletes.
