Bexley Tigers - building confidence, community and a lifelong love of athletics

For more than 20 years, Bexley Tigers has provided young people with a positive introduction to athletics, creating an environment rooted in enjoyment, confidence and long-term development. As the foundation of Bexley AC’s junior pathway, the programme demonstrates how clubs can successfully grow participation while developing future athletes, coaches and volunteers.

A fresh approach to junior development

Bexley Tigers was established after recognising that the club’s youngest athletes were not getting the experience they needed to thrive. At the time, children aged nine and above trained alongside older athletes on weekday evenings, with limited parental engagement and little consistency in coaching for that age group.

“When I joined the club, I thought there must be a better way to develop our youngest athletes,” explains Karen Winfield, who led the relaunch of the programme.

The solution was to move sessions to Sunday mornings, create a Tigers specific environment and introduce dedicated coaches who wanted to work with younger children. While the first session was a challenge (only three athletes attended), the long-term benefits quickly became clear. Karen told us:

“The first Sunday was daunting and it felt like it could fail. However, it has gone from strength to strength with around 40 Tigers on average every week.”

An open and inclusive culture

Bexley AC’s ethos of being ‘open to all’ is embedded within the Tigers programme. Sessions are designed to be welcoming, inclusive and adaptable, ensuring children from all backgrounds and abilities feel supported and valued.

“We want to instil a sense of enjoyment, empowerment and achievement in Bexley Tigers, as well as developing a love of athletics. My proudest moments are seeing children gain confidence through athletics.”

The programme actively supports children with additional learning needs or lower mobility, adjusting sessions where necessary to ensure everyone can participate fully. Respect, friendliness and enjoyment underpin every session, helping young athletes associate athletics with positive early experiences.

Developing the next generation of coaches

A defining feature of Bexley Tigers is its strong young coaches pathway, with many volunteers starting through the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The programme gives young people the opportunity to give back to the sport while developing valuable life skills.

“Athletics is run by volunteers, and we need to encourage the next generation to understand the benefits of volunteering - not only what they give to others but also the skills they gain which will help them as they grow older.”

Young coaches act as powerful role models, with Tigers often responding particularly well to coaches closer to their own age. This has helped reinforce a strong, family-based club culture, with multiple age groups training and volunteering on Sunday mornings. Encouragingly, many former Tigers return as coaches themselves, reflecting the positive impact the programme has had on their development.

Confidence that carries into competition

Athletes who begin their journey as Tigers often stand out as they move into junior competition, showing high levels of confidence and enthusiasm. Early exposure to athletics techniques and competition settings helps remove barriers that can emerge during the teenage years.

An annual highlight is the Tigers Club Championships, which introduces young athletes to the realities of competition in a supportive setting. This plays a key role in long term progression, with around 40% of Bexley AC’s junior athletes having come through the Tigers programme.

A clear and supported pathway

Bexley Tigers operates a clear, structured pathway, with designated coaches for each age group and strong continuity as children progress. When athletes move from Sunday mornings into weekday training, they remain with familiar coaches, helping ease what can be a challenging transition. Seeing former Tigers competing as under 12s marks an important milestone and provides reassurance that the pathway is working effectively.

“The move to Tuesday and Thursday training is a big step,” Karen explains. “Having the same coaches involved makes a huge difference, and we encourage parents and children to talk to us about any concerns.”

Supporting the future of athletics

At a local level, Bexley Tigers aims to provide high-quality athletics from the age of six or seven, helping young people develop a lasting love of the sport. At a national level, programmes like Tigers and England Athletics funetics programme play a vital role in developing not only athletes, but also the next generation of coaches and volunteers.

Looking forward, the ambition is to continue growing Bexley Tigers, strengthening the club’s athlete pathway and nurturing future volunteers who will sustain the sport for years to come.

Learn more about getting young athletes involved in the sport!