WCL dispute set to blow over after funding increase

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat

THE dispute between British elite performance programme World Class Lifting and 2012 hopeful Zoe Smith's training team in Kent has blown over after UK Sport increased British weightlifting's funding allocation.

FUNDING DEAL: World Class Lifting and Zoe Smith's training team in Dartford agree to compromise after UK Sport funding increase 

WCL and Smith's coach Andy Callard had disagreed about whether the 15-year old -senior English record holder for 48kg and 53kg - should take permanent residence at the high performance centre in Leeds or remain in Dartford, Kent.

And WCL had gone as far as to suggest Smith's allocation of funding would be spent elsewhere if the youngster didn't make the commitment to the training programme in Lancashire.

But when UK Sport announced a funding increase for British Weightlifting after a deal with VISA, Callard admits the governing body changed their tune and are now working towards a satisfactory solution for both sides.

"We had a meeting with the WCL regarding Zoe's training for 2010 and how she would progress," said Callard.

"The initial meeting happened before the funding announcement from UK Sport and was pretty negative.

"Basically they said they would spend Zoe's funding until a competition programme and training had been agreed.

"But since the funding increase, they've come back to us with a completely different slant which was a lot more positive.  We just need to agree on targets for the New Year so they can sort out paperwork and things should be okay."

While Callard is confident his star pupil will remain at the Europa Club in Kent, he admits the youngster will still make occasional trips to Leeds for British squad training sessions.

And with the next step in Commonwealth Games qualification at the English Championships in February, Callard insists the hard work for the 2010 season has already begun.

"Everything this season is aimed towards the Commonwealths," said Callard. "Zoe will be 16 years old by that time and to achieve a medal at 16 would be a fantastic achievement.

"The English Championships are the next qualifiers for that before the British Championships in June so we'll be gearing up for them.

"Zoe is the best prospect in the country but she's only 15 years old and goes to a good school at the moment. She's doing 11 GCSEs so moving right now would be ridiculous.

"I've got no problem with her going to Leeds for squad meetings but we've got to be realistic because it's a long way to go from Kent.

"A little bit of perspective has to prevail and school has to come first."