A New Vision for Track and Field

An independent group of leading experts in sport are working to develop a vision for the future of track and field in the UK, to address the decline in youth track and field participation.  The group are inviting you to join the vision as part of this collaboration.

The independent Vision Group, established this year, is co-chaired by former World Champion Steve Cram and World and Olympic medallist Steve Smith, and also includes the expertise of Christine Ohuruogu, Tammy Oshinowo, Louise Gear, Nick Pearson, Abi Ekoku, Gary Laybourne and TJ Ossai.

Their collective insight has shaped a vision that is both ambitious and grounded in real-world experience.

The group has conducted extensive qualitative and quantitative research and insight into the barriers to participation, which the group are proud to now share for the first time.

The group’s purpose was:

• To start to develop a vision for the future of track and field competition in the UK that excites, engages, develops and retains young people in the sport.
• To utilise previous and recent research alongside group members' experience and knowledge, to set out the key principles behind an informed and ambitious vision for the future of track and field competition in the UK.
• To consider the impact of the findings on competition, focusing on athlete experience, formats of competition and its underlying structure.
• Provide a series of recommendations that require implementation to deliver on that vision for competition.

The research

The independent group’s research shows that fewer 13-19-year-olds are engaging with track and field, and have recognised barriers to participation including awareness, perceptions, accessibility, inclusion, and changing demographics.

The research was carried out by Sherbert Research, and the group, while invited by England Athletics, was fully independent.

The group aim to respond directly to these issues, offering a fresh, inclusive, and youth-centred approach.

The guiding principles

The group have outlined six principles, which underpin the vision, to be adopted to guide delivery, design, partner collaboration and communication.

1. Inclusive and Accessible for All

• Wellbeing and Personal Growth First

• Flexible and Responsive Formats

• Social Connection and Belonging

• Youth Voice and Ownership

• One Team: Joined-Up Delivery

Hear from the group’s Co-Chair, Steve Cram

Steve Cram outlines the aims and objectives of the Vision Group in this short video:

Play Video

This is just the start - be part of making the vision a reality

Are you interested in supporting the further development of this vision, and want to understand the rational for change and how these elements might be brought to life? The group will be holding a series of Q&A sessions where Vision Group members will explain more. These sessions will be recorded so that others can watch them back afterwards.

From there, the group will be asking clubs, coaches, competition providers and anyone else with an interest in making these vision elements a reality to make a commitment to developing this vision further and adopting these principles.

In practice, that will mean:

• Committing to following the principles and demonstrating how this will be achieved.
• Committing to working with other organisations to consider where change might be needed.
• Committing to developing and piloting new approaches to track and field provision.

The research and ideas proposed above are open for discussion and debate - by signing up, you can take the opportunity to challenge the vision and propose changes to it.

England Athletics' response to the independent Vision Group's findings

As part of the upcoming age group changes from 1 April 2026, the England Athletics board agreed to support a wider review of track and field participation, and are pleased to see progress with the publishing of the vision.

England Athletics welcome the key principles of the vision, which align with our long-term strategic plan of putting athletes and runners at the heart of our decision-making.

We are pleased that the research we commissioned has been used to underpin this vision. It is fundamental that the voice of young athletes, and their wants and needs are central to the future development of our sport.

We want to work with our affiliated clubs and member bodies, and key stakeholders in our five priority areas (clubs, competition, participation, coaches and officials, and talent) to ensure there is a collaborative movement across the sport to bring this vision into a reality.

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