Sheffield, known for its remarkable lineage of world-class athletes and Olympians, is currently facing a crisis that threatens to undermine its long-standing athletic tradition. For years, the Athletics Stadium at Woodbourn Road has been a cornerstone of our community—a place where athletes of all ages and levels of expertise come to train, compete, and realise their potential. However, recent developments have put the future of this invaluable institution at risk.

The lack of investment and support from Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield City Council has resulted in the stadium falling short of the TrackMark standards, leading to the loss of its vital competition licence. While athletes can continue to utilise the venue for training, the stadium will no longer host the plethora of competitive events it once did. National Athletics League matches, Regional Championships, Sheffield Schools meetings and other competitions will now be relocated to neighbouring towns and cities, depriving Sheffield of its role as a hub for athletic excellence.

This is not just an inconvenience; it is a blow to the spirit of our community and a setback for aspiring athletes who are impacted by the emotional and logistical burdens of travelling to distant venues to showcase their talents. It's a loss of not just opportunity but also of exposure and pride for the city.

To rectify this we call upon Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield City Council to urgently invest in the necessary upgrades to meet TrackMark standards and restore the stadium’s capability to host competitions.

Reinstating Woodbourn Road as a certified competition venue will not only rejuvenate the local sports scene but also help nurture future Sheffield athletes who aspire to reach international platforms. Moreover, this will ensure that Sheffield continues to be recognised as a city that values its sporting heritage and invests in the future of its athletes.

Join us in urging these institutions to take swift and decisive action. Sign the petition to bring competitive athletics back to Woodbourn Road Athletics Stadium and secure Sheffield’s legacy in the world of sports.