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INTRODUCTION
5
SECTION 1
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
George Bunner was born in the City of Liverpool in 1932 and despite a difficult start, losing his
father at an early age, George became a promising athlete as a member of Liverpool Harriers.
He worked his way through night school and college to become a Chartered Electrical Engineer
and eventually Managing Director of one of the largest electrical contractors in the North West
of England.
As an athlete George reached a high point in 1950 when he became English AAA Junior 880 yards
Champion before foreign travel curtailed his running career. George suffered the tragic loss of his
wife in a car crash in 1968 that also left him severely injured and a single parent of their two infant
sons. In 1971 he married his present wife Sheila and the couple had a baby daughter. Having fought
back from his injuries, he rekindled his interest in athletics and with some friends decided to form
an athletics club in his hometown of Frodsham, Cheshire. Realising that traditional track and field
would not suit the primary school aged children in his charge, George set about creating
“Sportshall Athletics”. Sportshall, as it has now become known, has evolved over the years
to become one of the biggest schools sporting programmes in the country.
George had always been a keen middle distance runner and following his accident spent more
time organising races than competing in them. In the early 1970’s, George revived the Frodsham
Hill Races which were to became a major event, attracting runners from all over the country. In its
heyday, the course would be lined with crowds and the local traffic would be brought to a standstill.
Amongst other events, George organised a series of innovative children’s races which would see
competitors compete in relays and hurdle hay bales on the local sports field. George also
introduced the Cheshire Track and Field and Cheshire Cross Country Leagues, both of which
provided increased competition for the younger competitors whilst allowing mums and dads
to compete as well.
George, now recognised as a leading international authority in the development of children’s
athletics, left the engineering profession in1992 to work full-time in a voluntary capacity and
now at 78 years old, has no plans to retire. He can still be found in his office every day developing
his programmes and satisfying his passion for athletics. George received the MBE for services
to athletics in 2002.
George Bunner MBE
As an athlete
George reached a
high point in 1950
when he became
English AAA Junior
880 yards Champion
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