Athletics coach named BBC West Sports Unsung Hero

Bob Purcell is "an outstanding and inspirational person"

An athletics club volunteer has been named as the BBC West Sports Unsung Hero for 2024.

Bob Purcell has been devoting his weekends to supporting grassroots athletics at tracks in all weathers since 1991.

Mr Purcell led a junior squad at Gloucester Athletics but coaching became his passion and he specialised in disability athletics, including wheelchair racing and frame running.

"He's an outstanding and inspirational person who has helped us in so many ways," said Charlie Price, one of the athletes with disabilities who have been trained by Mr Purcell.

Over the years, Gloucester Athletics Track fell into disrepair and was nearly condemned at one point.

The facilities were inadequate and the track was targeted by arsonists who burned the high jump bed and caused significant damage.

With no floodlights, Mr Purcell coached athletes in the winter by the light of car headlights parked on the field.

Determined to improve facilities for his athletes and the community, he spearheaded the set-up of a charity named Gloucester Athletics Track Management, which took control of the maintenance of the track from the local council.

He liaised with the council, MPs, and various local companies to secure funds necessary to repair and ensure the long-term future of the track.

'Awful lot of work'

Iain Willoughby, a member of the club, said: "It was virtually derelict but Bob took it upon himself to go to the council and, the short story is, that £250,000 was allocated shortly after.

"We even got a new track in 2012 that Bob persuaded Princess Anne to come and open.

"He puts an awful lot of work in behind the scenes, he's always here, he's got us these facilities and, if we want something done, he gets us support from the council and the community."

Mr Purcell mows the infield, maintains the hurdles and even does the unglamorous job of unblocking the toilets.

He coaches a regular disability athletics squad for both children and adults.

Mr Purcell fundraised for equipment including racing wheelchairs and frame runners, and enabled a Changing Places toilet to be installed at the track.

Council 'thrilled'

"He's been absolutely instrumental in getting our project off the ground and running," said Mary-Clare Faulkner, inclusive cycling lead at Goals Beyond Grass.

"He optimises this track because they are so warm and welcoming to people of every ability and there aren't many tracks who will allow bikes to be ridden on their surface but he's moved barriers out of our way at every step."

Caroline Courtney, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said Gloucester City Council was "thrilled" about Mr Purcell's achievement.

"Bob has been a hardworking volunteer champion of athletics in the city for many years, in particular disability sports, and he thoroughly deserves this recognition.

"The city council is proud to have worked constructively with Bob and his colleagues over the years, on projects such as the new Blackbridge Community Hub, and we look forward to continuing to do so."