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England Athletics is conducting a series of surveys to find out the views of people within the sport. This will help us to improve our current services and to develop the sport’s vision for beyond 2012.

The views expressed in the surveys will help shape the long term planning of England Athletics. They will also be used by England Athletics as well as clubs and athletics networks to help us all to know how best to improve the services currently being offered.

Chief executive Mike Summers said: “England Athletics has strategic priorities of supporting the development of clubs, coaching and competition, and growing participation at all levels. By targeting our work on these priorities we can grow the next generation of athletics champions and build a sustainable, flourishing sport.
“This consultation has two aims. Firstly, it is to find out how well we are currently delivering against our objectives. We want to know where are doing well and where we need to improve. Information from this survey will help us ensure the services we provide are delivered as effectively as possible.
“Secondly, we want to develop our understanding of the how people want to see the sport develop in the future. Many partners are involved in the provision of athletics in England, the work done by our army of skilled and enthusiastic volunteers is of particular value and importance. It is essential that everyone involved in the sport shares a vision for athletics and that we all have a deeper understanding of what people consider the priorities and needs are for athletics to be successful, effective and enjoyable beyond 2012.
“This way we can work together to meet the core needs of the sport.”

This wave of surveys ask three groups of people to give their opinions on the sport as it is, and how they would like it to be in the future. A survey specifically for officials is to follow shortly.

Mike continued, “We are asking athletes, coaches and club volunteers to give their perspectives. All these people are vitally important to athletics. Rather than one survey we recognized the need to allow people to give their views on the subjects that affect them and from their respective perspectives. We recognize that many people have more than one role and this approach allows them to respond ‘wearing different hats’.
“The results of these surveys will provide important information for us as we hold a series of roadshows this spring and autumn where we will meet people in the sport to gather more detail on people’s views. We will also share the overall findings of the surveys with our partners UKA, as well as clubs, competition providers and other bodies within the sport to help us all understand the needs and desires of people within the sport.”

The three online surveys can be found as follows:
•    Athlete survey (for athletes across all disciplines) – www.englandathletics.org/athlete-survey
•    Club volunteer survey (for everyone involved in running and supporting an athletics club) – www.englandathletics.org/volunteer-survey
•    Coach survey (for qualified coaches) – www.englandathletics.org/Coach-Survey

The closing date for the submission of completed surveys is 1 March 2010.

A survey specifically for officials is to follow shortly and this will have a different closing date.