Athletics for children and young people
Our strategy
The England Athletics strategy states our ambition for the participation of children and young people in athletics: “We will maximise athletics opportunities for young people in schools and communities and enhance their first experiences of our sport to ensure the growth of athletics and running in England is sustained and results in the continued growth of the England Athletics and running family."
Whether you are a parent, a school teacher, a community leader or an affiliated club leader/youth coach lead, we present here an overview of how athletics can support you, to support children and young people with opportunities to enjoy, learn and develop athletics.
Providing opportunities and support from childhood to adulthood
Our purpose is to inspire more children and young people of all abilities and backgrounds to fulfil their potential and to have a lifelong love for the sport.
England Athletics works to grow opportunities for children and young people to experience athletics and running, at an early age, throughout their school/higher education years, and into adulthood.
The Personal Best Foundation, supported by England Athletics, gives children and young people the opportunity to achieve their personal best through the power of athletics. Its purpose is to change young lives through athletics.
Ultimately, we want children and young people to get excited about our sport, in a safe environment, and enjoy it.
Where can a child access athletics and running?
England Athletics provides access to athletics and running in several connected environments:
- Home
- Primary and secondary schools
- Higher education
- Our affiliated athletics and running clubs
- Local community programs
How can a child experience the benefits of athletics?
We recognise there are different motivators for children and young people’s participation in athletics and running. With our partners and bespoke programmes the benefits come to life in varied experiences such: learning and development, competition and receiving awards.
Learning and developing skills
4-11 years: England Athletics’s funetics programme provides fun athletics sessions to help 4-11 year old children learn, develop and practice running, jumping and throwing all year round.
11-16 years: We provide continuation of the learning and developing skills into secondary schools and our affiliated clubs.
Awards
Working with our partners, our Awards programmes are accessible across different environments: schools, community and clubs, but crucially provide a pathway through age categories: 7-10, 11-14 and 15 to senior.
Competition
Working with our partners, we provide tailored, age-appropriate competitions in school, community, and club settings.
We support School Sports Day through the funetics Sports Day initiative.
Useful Links
DBS Checks & Licensing
England Athletics requires everyone in the sport who has significant contact with children and/or vulnerable adults to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check.