Best legacy

THERE is renewed discussion now about the legacy that the London Olympics will bring to Hackney, which often seems to be measured in buildings and infrastructure...

THERE is renewed discussion now about the legacy that the London Olympics will bring to Hackney, which often seems to be measured in buildings and infrastructure.

But it is not enough to provide leisure centres and other facilities. We need coaches in the community who can inspire and ensure that fitness is properly taught and skills developed.

I would like to suggest that Hackney Council makes a point of ensuring that coaching in basic Olympic sports is available at all leisure centres in the borough.

We should be able to take our children to a leisure centre and sign them up for affordable coaching in sports like table tennis, badminton and squash.

There should be coaches for running, cycling, water sports, martial arts, fencing, handball, volleyball, basketball and many others.

We should also be looking to encourage older people to take up sports, in the knowledge that proper medical advice is on hand.

These coaches should be setting up clubs and actively going out into the community to encourage new members.

If we could ensure that accessible and sustainable clubs could be formed, then that would be the best Olympic legacy of all - and the council should be assessing its leisure centres on how many people are involved in these clubs at all levels.

David Vail,

Alconbury Road, Upper Clapton.