Regions shun sport academy

Senior academics have strongly criticised the proposed British Academy of Sport, claiming it could become a "white elephant" and starve other sport sectors of funding.

Margaret Talbot, head of sport at Leeds Metropolitan University, said the "headquarters" concept favoured by the Government was not well advised and the Leeds consortium would not submit a bid for it.

Leeds Metropolitan with the University of Leeds, Leeds College of Technology, Leeds City Council, and the Yorkshire Evening Post have decided instead to bid for a regional role. "We are very passionately committed to a national network of regional centres," said Professor Talbot.

A similar ethos is behind a bid involving Loughborough University. Clive Williams, pro vice chancellor and professor of sports science, said the university aimed to be the hub of an expanding network of specialist facilities around the country. "There are partnerships between elite sport and certain facilities around the country and we wouldn't want to disturb them but enhance them," he said.

Loughborough's bid includes the Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre, the Lilleshall National Sports Centre and Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham.

The academics' stance reflects the opinion of elite athletes and officials. A study by the universities of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam indicated they clearly preferred a regional network of facilities.

The Government has proposed a three-tier system, with a national academy complimented by regional institutes and academies for individual sports. However, Professor Talbot fears there will not be enough money left for the regional centres, or to support sport at a community level.

She said that centralising sport, after it had developed in Britain in an ad hoc fashion, threatened the support given by universities, local authorities and volunteers. Many talented athletes would have only limited access to a national centre.

Professor Talbot believed the Government was going ahead with its proposal because a new academy was more visible and tangible than a network of facilities.

The deadline for bids is October 31 and the successful bid will be announced by January 31, 1997.