Our Strategy

Athletes and runners at the heart strategy image

England Athletics strategy 2021-2032

England Athletics is the membership and development body for grass roots athletics and running clubs in England.

In May 2021, following extensive consultation with a multitude of stakeholders across the sport, we launched our new strategic plan for 2021-2032: Athletes and runners at the heart – creating opportunities, enhancing experiences and powering potential.

This strategy ensures a robust and clearly defined future direction for our sport which places athletes and runners at the heart of everything we will do over the 12 year period to 2032.

Our purpose

To inspire more athletes and runners of all abilities and backgrounds to fulfil their potential and to have a lifelong love for the sport.

Our vision

For athletics and running to become an inclusive sport where everyone belongs and can flourish.

Our guiding principles

We want every participant involved in the sport, whether they are an athlete, runner, coach, official, leader, volunteer, competition provider, facility operator, parent or guardian to see and experience first-hand the guiding principles which continue to drive our work. These are to:

  • Put the athlete and runner first
  • Encourage high standards and ethical success across all aspects of our work
  • Enhance experiences
  • Work together in partnership not in isolation

Our key focus areas

At the heart of this plan, and the focal point for everything we do, are the people and communities involved in our sport across the following five key areas:

  1. Clubs, Club Leaders and facilities
  2. Competition
  3. Coaches and officials
  4. Participation: young people and running
  5. Talented athletes

Our values

The work we do across the five key focus areas will be underpinned by the values we stand for as an organisation and as defined by our purpose.

Values of fun, inspiration, integrity and inclusivity will be evident in our everyday actions and behaviours as England Athletics staff, Councils and Board.

England Athletics, UK Athletics and the Home Country Athletics Federations

England Athletics, UK Athletics and the three other Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs); Athletics Northern Ireland, Scottish Athletics and Welsh Athletics are, together, responsible for developing and delivering the UK-wide strategy for the sport – Athletics Unified. Our own England Athletics strategy has been created in line with the UK-wide Athletics Unified strategy.

England Athletics, as the membership and development body for the sport in England, leads on support for grassroots athletics and running clubs, facilities and schools, affiliation and membership, domestic competition opportunities at area, county, national and international [England] level, the recruitment, training and retention of coaches, officials, and leaders, volunteering, participation and the development of talent pathways for athletes through to the Commonwealth Games.

UK Athletics, as the national governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is responsible for a number of high level functions, including the provision of world class performance athletics such as GB & NI international teams, rules and regulations for UK competition, licensing for coaches, competitions, officials and tracks, welfare and safeguarding, anti-doping and broadcasted events.