A DEDICATED coach at Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club said the best part of his job was watching children "blossom" into talented athletes.

Ron Oliver, 61, specialises in training Wyre Forest juniors aged between nine and 14 and has the vital role of promoting an early interest in the sport.

He started coaching in 1991 and has the qualifications to coach all the running, field and track events, giving children the best possible introduction to athletics.

He said: "My main role is getting the children involved and making sure they have fun. They will stay with me for about two years and then move on to another group, where they will specialise in specific events."

He added: "We have had many athletes who have benefited from this early introduction. Matt Grainger, for example, started with me when he was nine or 10 and is now county champion in the men's senior cross country."

Mr Oliver originally became involved in the sport when his two sons were members of the former Stourport Athletics Club.

He said: "I was in an administrative role at the club but when there was a desperate shortage of coaches I asked what I could do. When I got my first qualification, it just went on from there. Now coaching is a massive part of my life."

Mr Oliver, of Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster, said that athletics gave children both "focus" and the discipline they needed to perform in life. He added that the club was an important social venue for youngsters outside of school.

He explained: "The club is vitally important to our juniors. It's the only place they can go to get a really high quality of coaching across the board. I, personally, think this is the best club in the Midlands."

Mr Oliver said the best moments in the job came when he could see children suddenly realising their potential, particularly those children who seemed to lack confidence.

He said: "I had one lad who, when he started, always stood at the back and wasn't sure of himself. Then he tried the high jump and cleared a metre. He looked up at me excitedly and said, I can do this Ron'."

He added: "Once the children pick it up and start to focus they seem to blossom and develop very quickly. It's the best feeling when you see this happening."

Mr Oliver remained positive about the future but he said he would not be able to continue to coach if the equipment destroyed in the fire was not replaced.

He added: "I'm a lot less worried now than in December. Things are starting to look better and the feeling within the club is very high."