By Meg Jorsh

Last updated 09:07, Friday, 24 October 2008

Carlisle athletics coach Frank Davidson has been inspiring children for more than 20 years.

Frank Davidson

As the coach of Carlisle Aspatria Athletics Club, which meets at the city’s Sheepmount, the former Carlisle United player helps young runners reach their potential. His efforts were recognised last year at the Cumbria Community Awards.

Frank, 62, of Dunmail Drive, Carlisle, was delighted to win the Children and Young People Award.

He said: “I was fairly surprised, because it’s something you do and you feel like not a lot of people take any notice. It gives you a lot more confidence – it’s encouragement to move on and try to do better.”

And in the last 12 months, the club has enjoyed more success than ever. Its membership has swelled to around 80, including young stars like 13-year-old Abbie Hetherington, from Wigton.

He said: “She’s Scottish champion and she’s probably one of the top in the country. She came to us as a youngster and she’s improved dramatically.”

But it’s not just the top sporting youngsters that matter to Frank – it’s all about personal bests.

“You don’t have to be brilliant, you just have to run the race. It gives youngsters a tremendous amount of self-belief, just getting out there and thinking ‘I can do this’,” he said.

Having retired last year from his job at the MOD, he still trains every morning and has no plans to give up coaching. The thrill of seeing pupils improve is too powerful a draw.

He said: “When they start, some children can’t actually run. It’s not as simple as putting one foot in front of the other – but if you can get their technique right, away they go.”

Frank started coaching the team when his daughter Joanna, now 31, joined more than 20 years ago. He had previously trained the youth squad at Carlisle United, and took on the role because no-one else was available. Even after all this time, he loves having a positive impact on children’s lives.

“It’s great for their confidence, and good for the figure. There are one or two who’ve come to us quite plump, but gone away as county champion by the time they’re 15,” he said.

The team travels all over the country, representing Carlisle at events like the National Cross-Country Championships in Nottingham. Although most kids eventually leave for university, when they return they’re often still running.

Frank added: “I think we need to do this sort of thing. We need to get involved and inspire and encourage children. I always say to them; ‘I don’t care what you do, just go out and do something’.”

Finalists have now been chosen for this year’s Cumbria Community Awards, to be presented at the Rheged Centre, near Penrith on November 13.