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Children and Young People

Blurred image of athletes running on track

Statement on ESAA decision around Age Groups

England Athletics notes the English Schools' Athletics Association’s (ESAA) decision to pause implementation of the new age groups effective from1 April 2026, pending a further review of the impact on schools’ athletics. ESAA have indicated that they intend to conduct this review during 2026.
funetics session at East Durham Running Club

Run, jump, throw: Bringing funetics to the local community in East Durham

funetics was created to help 4-11 year old children to learn, develop and practice running, jumping and throwing skills. We recently caught up with Ian McAlister, Junior Development Lead at East Durham Running Club, who took the initiative to bring this programme to East Durham.
funetics mulit-challenge

On your marks, get set, go! Introducing funetics multi-challenge

England Athletics is launching an exciting new competition format to encourage more regular, age-appropriate opportunities for primary school aged children to compete in athletics - welcome to the funetics multi-challenge
group of school children and Hannah Cockroft at Citroen partnership launch

Exciting new partnership between England Athletics, the Personal Best Foundation, and Citroën

England Athletics, as well as its official charity partner, the Personal Best Foundation, announces new partnership with Citroën as 73% of parents say their kids don’t get recommended levels of exercise.
Funetics image

Support and benefits for clubs and parents registering U11 athletes 

Whilst it is not compulsory for under 11s to register to compete, England Athletics is offering support and benefits to each club who chooses to register under 11s. England Athletics is committed to helping clubs increase the number of volunteers available to support young athletes in getting involved with their club.  
Jo Pavey with England flagat Glasgow 2014

Jo Pavey: An inspiring parent encouraging others to get active as a family

Jo Pavey had an inspiring athletics career representing Team GB at five Olympic Games, from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016 and Team England at three Commonwealth Games, achieving two medals. Beyond her athletics prowess, she’s a dedicated mother of two and loves to get active with her family. We caught up with her at the National Running Show to find out more about getting active as a busy parent and her transition to coaching alongside her husband.
U17 boys race at the 2023 National Cross Country Relays

Age Group changes: spotlight on off-track

With time ticking down until the Age Group changes for young athletes will be applied across our sport, in our latest update on the implementation of the changes, Project Co-ordinator Dean Hardman looks at some of the ways they will apply to off-track competition in England.
Denise Lewis at Hall of Fame 2011

Dame Denise Lewis: Finding the lifelong joy of movement

Dame Denise Lewis had an impressive athletics career culminating in an Olympic gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2000 Games in Sydney. We recently caught up with Denise at the National Running Show to find out more about how her experience of running has changed throughout her life, from a child, to a professional athlete, to a parent.
Team parade at English Schools' AA championships

Joint Statement from England Athletics and the English Schools' Athletics Association (ESAA)

The English Schools' Athletics Association provide an update on their communication timelines for the age group changes implementation plan.
Lauren Butler coaching on GAPS camp in Mauritius

“It opens a lot of doors” – Lauren Butler on the Street 2 Stadium programme

The Street 2 Stadium programme is set to increase the number of para athletes accessing regular athletics training in England. We caught up with Lauren Butler, Para Athletics Talent Coordinator for the Birmingham region, to find out more about her role on the programme, what she loves about coaching and her experience at the recent GAPS camp in Mauritius.