Age group changes: information for clubs
From 1 April 2026, the age groups in which young athletes compete changed from U13, U15, U17 and U20, to U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20. These changes are grounded in a desire to support athletes with their progression through the sport.
Top tips for clubs
📋 Know your club’s new athlete breakdown
🧠 Understand what’s changing and why
🎯 Review and update equipment inventory
👥 Adapt training groups and session plans
💬 Brief your coaches and officials
📲 Communicate clearly with members
🗣️ Join the conversation
Downloadable information
Download changes quick reference guide (PDF 2MB) View technical information spreadsheet (XLS 38kB)U10/U12 registration
We want to encourage fun and flexibility for the U10 and U12 age groups and to clarify, U12s and upwards will pay registration fees, and U10s should be registered with England Athletics from April 2026, but the payment of a fee will be optional for this age group. We would encourage payment of a fee if possible, with all funds being reinvested directly back into the ongoing development of our sport. We have developed an incentive scheme to benefit both clubs and parents for these age groups.
Find out more about why clubs should register U10 and U12 athletesFinancial support for clubs
In producing the recommended hurdle heights and implement weights, care has been taken to propose implements for each of the new age groups that are already in wide use across the sport. Where discussions with implement manufacturers are needed (e.g. around 60cm hurdles), these are taking place.
If clubs need assistance in financing new equipment for the new age group implements, you can apply for our Club Improvement Fund when it reopens soon.
Social media toolkit
We are beginning to compile assets which clubs can share from their own social media channels to educate members about the age group changes.
Download age group changes X/Facebook/Instagram post (PDF 1mB)FAQs: implementation
Will the dates of the competition year be changed?
The competition year will run from 1 October to 30 September and so athletes will compete in the same age group from October through to September in cross country, road, and track and field.
Will all disciplines (road, cross country, track and field) use the same competition year?
Athletes moved into their new age group on 1 April 2026.
As part of the consultation, we proposed the creation of this consistent age group across track and field, road and cross country for junior athletes.
What will be the club competition opportunities across the U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20 age groups?
As is currently the case, the Home Countries offer national championship competition for U16s upwards and provide guidance and recommendations to competition providers on the competition formats and approaches suitable at each age group.
The Youth Development League confirmed that they are offering competition to secondary age athletes – U14 and U16 (Lower) and U18 and U20 (upper).
Other organisations such as leagues, counties, areas and open competition providers make their own decisions on which of the newly implemented age groups they wish to cater for.
All permitted/licensed events will need to comply with the rules of competition, which have been amended to reflect the changed age groups.
Are there competition opportunities for current U11s (year 1 U12s from 2026)?
Athletes aged in school year 6 and below will continue to access local competition opportunities with an emphasis on personal improvement, building a love of the sport and being part of a team. Sportshall Athletics and funetics Multi-Challenge are just two examples of the types of competition for this age group that will continue – find out more about funetics Multi-Challenge.
U12 athletes will not be able to compete as U14s, and have competition opportunities within their own age group (as above).
Which age groups will the YDL and NAL meetings use?
UK Youth Development League (YDL) meetings have confirmed their age groups. U14 and U16 athletes compete in lower age group YDL meetings, while U18 and U20 athletes compete in upper age group YDL meetings.
The National Athletics League (NAL) have also confirmed their age groups for competition, with U18, U20 and Senior athletes to compete (standards for U18 athletes must be achieved before they are allowed to compete in the NAL).
Which age groups should off-track competitions held in September use?
For Cross-Country and Road Running competitions taking place during the month of September that are being used to feed into Championship or League events taking place in the following Competition Year, the Competition Provider may set entry conditions using the age groups applicable to that subsequent Competition Year.
Will the changes affect eligibility to compete in road running and multi-terrain events?
Road running and multi-terrain eligibility to compete over set distances is unchanged.
Why should clubs register U10/U12 athletes?
U12s must be registered to compete in accordance with the UKA Rulebook.
U10s should be registered with England Athletics from April 2026, but the payment of a fee will be optional for this age group. The collection and submission of personal data and information on each individual who is registered with a club in the U10 age category helps England Athletics for us to better understand participation trends in the sport, but also in order to keep the sport as safe as possible it is important accurate data is held for insurance, health and safety, and safeguarding and welfare purposes. We would encourage payment of a fee if possible, with all funds being reinvested directly back into the ongoing development of our sport. U12s and upwards will pay registration fees.
Click here to find out more about the benefits of clubs registering U10/U12 athletes.