News

England Athletics begin search for new Head of Talent Development

After 20 years working across England Athletics and UK Athletics, Martin Rush is moving on from the role of Head of Coaching and Athlete Development after the 2022 Commonwealth Games to pursue his own coaching and consultancy business.

Martin has fulfilled the Head of Coaching & Athlete Development role with England Athletics since 2015 and led the England Team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast. Prior to taking up his current position, Martin worked as a National Coach Mentor, Performance Manager and International Team Manager besides being an Olympian in his own right.

With this news in mind, England Athletics will begin an immediate recruitment search for a new Head of Talent Development to join the organisation to lead the implementation of the established Talent Strategy across England and to oversee our work in the areas of athlete, coaching, and competition development.

Chris Jones, CEO at England Athletics, said: “Martin has been instrumental in building the structures that we now realise to enable us to deliver our Talent programme for the period 2022-2025 and beyond this summer as we look towards the next Commonwealth Games through a collaborative approach involving UKA and the other Home Country Athletics Federations. I would personally like to thank Martin for all that he has done as a leader and colleague whose passion and commitment to athletics and running in England is without question.

“This is a great opportunity for someone to come in and lead us forward as we look towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games and beyond. I am delighted that Martin has agreed to work with us through to the end of the summer period to ensure continuity in this area of work and to help inform the recruitment of his successor. He will continue to support our work beyond this period in other ways, imparting his knowledge and experience to benefit the organisation and the wider sport.

“In the meantime, it is very much business as usual, and we must keep our focus on ensuring a good performance on and off the track in Birmingham and in delivering a successful programme of scheduled activities during the summer.”

Martin Rush told us:

“It has been a privilege to work for England Athletics, especially as Head of Coaching and Athlete Development.  Coaches, athletes, and talent development are all vitally important areas of work within England Athletics.  Being able to work with coaches and athletes through our regional and national programmes, developing the talent pathways and securing two cycles of Sport England investment in talent and coaching, while being a team coach at Glasgow 2014 and Team Leader at 2018 Commonwealth Games are all highlights of my years in the role.

“I look forward to working to support the smooth transition of responsibilities to a new Head of Talent Development during the summer and in working to provide continued advice and guidance thereafter.”

The recruitment process for identifying a new Head of Talent Development at England Athletics has begun with the closing date being 6 May 2022 and with interviews provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 25 May in Birmingham. Click for further details