Beagles want new recruits ahead of 2012

But despite the success it's still a challenge to bring new talent, especially youngsters, into the sport in an area dominated by football.

Beagles' chairman Bob Smith hopes to change that and he believes the 2012 Olympics is the perfect opportunity to boost interest.

He said: "The London Olympics is a goldmine for the sport and Beagles need to be at the forefront of the benefit of that. It's right on our doorstep.

"Newham has plenty of social problems but there are are definitely talented athletes out there who could be representing Britain in future.

Daley Thompson was someone who came from the streets and had a fantastic career so I don't see why we shouldn't be able to repeat that."

But you don't have to be a world class decathlete to get involved. The club is looking for anyone interested in helping out.

Smith said: "There is a lack of volunteers, coaches and officials - people to do what I call the raking and scraping at matches.

Whether it's making the tea or helping prepare press releases for our website we'd welcome anyone who wanted to get involved.

"There isn't a lot of money in the sport and most of us do it for the love of it, but it is hugely rewarding to be involved."

For Smith, 53, athletics is a lifelong passion. His father, Mike, was a top coach, while he competed as a decent club athlete in the high-jump.

He has been involved with the Beagles for over 20 years, becoming chairman two years ago, and is determined to cement the club's place in the athletics elite, as well as the local community.

"The club has a great tradition," he said. "It's had Olympic champions like Daley and Christine and that really helps to inspire people to take up the sport.

"We had a great season last year but there is so much potential here. We're open to anyone, of any standard, and I guarantee anyone coming along will get a warm welcome."

Sometimes the club is a victim of its own success, as it discovered last Summer when Ohuruogu struck gold, and Smith is working hard to ensure no-one is denied the chance to get involved.

"It's the Wimbledon syndrome," said Smith.

"You always get lots of people trying out tennis after Wimbledon and it was the same when Christine won her gold medal in Beijing.

"We had dozens of kids coming down to the track but we just didn't have the facilities to cope with them.

"It meant disappointing a lot of them and, who knows, there could have been a potential Olympic champion in there.

"That's why we're developing a programme with Newham Council so people will be directed to where they can best have their sporting ambitions met.

"Athletics is a special sport and Beagles is a special club and we really want people to become a part of that."

To contact Bob and find out more visit newhamandessexbeagles.co.uk