Hunslet Hawks Rugby League Club say they are "finished" as the aerodynamics created by the giant structure will cause problems with training and matches.

Leeds City Athletics Club, which also trains there, say the noise will put off athletes and that the extra wind would hamper throwing events.

But athletes have no choice but to stay there as it's "the best outdoor track in the city".

Both clubs say they were not consulted and arrived at training on Thursday night to find the turbine just metres from the pitch.

The South Leeds Stadium is part of the multi-million pound John Charles centre for sport which incorporates the Aquatics centre, indoor athletics facilities and Leeds' first ever indoor bowls centre.

Steve Ball, acting chairman for Hunslet Hawks, said: "If you are throwing a javelin it'll end up in Whitby!

"It affects the aerodynamics by creating an artificial force within the stadium so kicking a rugby ball, going for goal kicks, the ball will be out of play. We are finished. We won't be able to play rugby at the stadium."

Alan Stephenson, Hawks General Manager, added: " I just turned up for work and suddenly it's there. No consultation, no notification and completely wrong and unjustifiable."

Hunslet Hawks has consulted with the Rugby Football League and the club is set to fight for the turbine to be moved.

Alan added: "With the success of the 2012 Olympics looming, Leeds chooses to build a wind turbine less than 20 metres from an elite athletics facility.This is a national disgrace and those responsible should be held accountable."

Former Olympian Veronique Marot, president of Leeds City Athletics Club, said: "It's a wonderful quiet area at the moment which is very good for concentration – if you have a whining noise, it would create an aggravating background noise.

"It would interfere with throwing events. Anything creating a displacement of wind is going to effect a throwing event."

But Veronique added that the club could not move elsewhere as it's the best training ground in the city.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: "The wind turbine at the John Charles Centre for Sport is part of this city's commitment to develop alternative renewable energy sources, particularly for large facilities like this.

"Unfortunately the location had to be changed after it was discovered the turbine would interfere with the flight paths of bats, a heavily protected species.

"The turbine will not adversely affect the activities undertaken on the complex, especially given that the turbine can be switched off if this is required."