Save Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex - An Open Letter From Our Head Coach
Imagine a community without a heartbeat, a vibrant club left adrift, and a legacy of sporting excellence fading into obscurity. This is the bleak reality we face if the Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex in Bellshill is allowed to close its doors.
Dear Reader,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you as the Head Coach of the Bellshill Sharks Swimming Club, a club deeply intertwined with the Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex (SMB), which serves as the heart of our beloved Bellshill community.
SMB is not merely a sports facility; it is a lifeline for our community and the driving force behind the success of our swimming club. Each week, our squad of 80+ dedicated swimmers spend up to eighteen hours honing their skills at SMB, reaping the physical and mental health benefits, forging lifelong friendships, and acquiring valuable life skills.
The closure of SMB would not only disrupt the training regimen of our talented swimmers but also jeopardize their dreams and aspirations. Over the past 50 years, our club has nurtured remarkable swimmers who have represented us on the national stage, achieving commendable results and even earning positions in Scottish National finals and squads. One of our own has received the honour of representing Team Scotland West at an upcoming British event in Sheffield, a testament to the exceptional talent nurtured within our club. The closure of SMB would halt this incredible journey of achievement and potential.
Furthermore, SMB plays a pivotal role in our broader community. Its unique amenities, such as the double spectator galleries and electric scoreboard, make it an ideal venue for hosting swimming events, not only for our club but for Scottish Swimming and clubs across the West of Scotland. SMB is a rare gem that deserves preservation.
Bellshill Sharks is more than just a club; we are a family. We provide opportunities for people of all ages to engage in swimming, coaching, and volunteering, fostering a sense of belonging and safety for our community members. The club's achievements have not only brought recognition to our community but also to North Lanarkshire.
At the start of October twenty-eight of our Sharks and members of coaching and club support staff will be heading off to Majorca for the clubs first warm weather training camp for several years. The excitement of this trip has been tainted by the uncertainty of whether our swimmers will have a home pool to return to and whether the legacy of their club will be able to continue.
As November approaches, our swimmers are gearing up to represent their schools at the North Lanarkshire School Swimming Championships. Many of them have the potential to shine at the Scottish Schools National Finals in January as many of our swimmers have done over the years.
Notably, school-based training doesn't exist; children eligible to represent their school are only able to train for this event through club swimming. it's the dedication of our club and others that prepares these young athletes. The closure of our facility would rob them of these opportunities, hindering their success and depriving North Lanarkshire and its schools of positive recognition.
Swimming often goes unnoticed, but these events allow us to 'Celebrate Success.' Please reconsider the closure decision and support our young athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
At the very heart of our club, our young swimmers blossom, nurtured by a love for the sport and provided with countless opportunities for growth. However, the potential closure of this venue threatens more than just our competitive swimmers; it places a distressing halt on the vital learn-to-swim programs that serve our community. This isn't just about losing a pool; it's about compromising water safety for individuals of all ages in our area. Denying them the chance to acquire this life-saving skill is a grave concern that should weigh heavily on our collective conscience. Furthermore, the closure of this facility would rob our upcoming generations of invaluable talent development and the opportunities that come with it.
I implore you to take all of this into consideration when making the decision on the future of SMB. The consequences of such a decision would be devastating, affecting our club, other sports and community clubs, and the broader community. By keeping SMB open, we can honour the legacy of a well-known sporting hero, Sir Matt Busby, and continue to provide invaluable opportunities for our community members.
In closing, I urge you to think of the lasting impact this decision will have on the Bellshill community, our swimmers, and the spirit of sportsmanship that SMB represents. Please join us in preserving this vital community asset.
Sincerely,
Lynsay Murray
Head Coach, Bellshill Sharks Swimming Club
