Tony Dallas

Published: 27 September, 2012

After his successful stint writing for our Crow column, Spurs’ fan Tony Dallas returns in a fortnightly column casting his eye over the sport’s burning issues. And with more than 20 years working as a sports development officer, he knows what he’s talking about.

WHAT a fantastic summer of sport that was!

Among the highlights saw Team GB soar to success in the Olympics and Paralympics, Andy Murray win an Olympic gold and the US Open and Bradley Wiggins race to victory in the Tour de France. 

But as the cheering fades, the big question we have to ask ourselves now is: Will all that success really leave a lasting legacy?

I felt part of something amazing but, like a dream holiday that chills you out for two weeks and makes you feel optimistic about the future, eventually you have to come back to reality.

How realistic is the prospect of proper funding for the next four years and beyond for grass roots participation?

Having worked in sports development for over 20 years it’s something that’s close to my heart and although lots is being done I ask is it enough? Is the money being spent in local communities being distributed from the bottom up?

And is there proper dialogue between government, governing bodies and the coaches on the ground as to how, when and where we find the next crop of British sports stars?

I want to see Team GB qualified coaches actively sent into the more “urban areas” to train and co-teach with local workers – training the trainers if you will. If they did that, I wonder what diamonds we would excavate from within the high rises, pupil referral units and exclusion zones in those boroughs?

All the athletes said in interviews that the support of the British crowds were unbelievable. Some said it lifted them in their moment of need and if we really think about it, that’s really no surprise.

There’s a saying, “if two or three people agree then anything is possible” and during the summer, mere mortals were supported by millions into thinking and then proving that fact.

There are more local initiatives that could be sourced if two or three people agree and it’s up to us in our communities to find them.

I have many ideas that unfortunately this column and its word count cannot entertain but what I will say is this: Act locally, think globally and who knows what our children could achieve in the future.

Will there be a lasting legacy?
Tell us what you think – sports@camdennewjournal.com