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Children and Young People

Blurred legs running past England Athletics banner

Update on ESAA decision around Age Groups

England Athletics has received confirmation from the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) that, following a Special Council Meeting, it will adopt the new “even” age groups for its track and field competitions from 1 September 2026.
Age group champs 100m

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 Ossei.
funetics at St Albans AC

Inspiring the next generation of athletes with funetics at St Albans AC

We caught up with Heather Hann from St Albans Athletics Club on how implementing funetics has improved her club's offering.
Plymouth funetics multi-challenge pilot

Jaime Ingleby: Championing young athlete development in Plymouth 

Jaime Ingleby’s ability to create a positive environment for athletes was recognised at the 2025 South West Volunteer Awards where he won Coach of the Year. We recently caught up with him to discover more about his passion for coaching young athletes and how funetics multi-challenge provides great learning opportunities for young athletes.
Amber Valley and Erewash AC athletes

How Amber Valley and Erewash AC membership grew 20% last year

We spoke with members of Amber Valley and Erewash AC recently and asked them what they’ve done to help boost their membership. The club committee knew that they had to work hard to get themselves back up to where they are now – a growth of over 20% in the past couple of years. Here are their top tips. The club was formed in 1999 by parents who wanted to get their children involved with athletics. Amber Valley and Erewash AC grew to be a club with healthy numbers until - like for many clubs - COVID left its mark.
Alfie Shallcross, GYDAC

Alfie’s athletics journey: How funetics and para sport are opening doors for young athletes

Athletics has always been more than just a sport, it’s a gateway to confidence, community, and possibility. For young athletes across the country, inclusive competition and programmes like funetics are breaking down barriers and helping to shape a future where every athlete is celebrated and included. We recently spoke to 11-year-old Alfie Shallcross from Great Yarmouth and District Athletics Club, along with his family and club, about his journey and experiences in the sport.

Top tips for clubs to prepare for the upcoming age group changes

From 1 April 2026, the age groups in which young athletes compete will change from U13, U15, U17 and U20, as is currently the case, to U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20. These changes are grounded in a desire to support athletes with their progression through the sport.
Pole Vaulter blurry

Two new age group drop-in sessions added

Ahead of the age group changes coming into effect next April, England Athletics is hosting a series of online drop-in sessions over the coming months.
Wigan Harriers members together

Wigan Harriers - helping enhance lives in their local area

Wigan Harriers are a shining example of a club making a real difference in their local area, with members telling us how much the volunteers involved in running the club have helped change their lives.
young athletes being coached at Houghton Harriers

How Houghton Harriers and AC have turned around their junior athletics

Like many athletics clubs, Houghton Harriers and Athletics Club had started to struggle for junior members over the past few years. The club tried a number of initiatives to try and get involved with the local schools, but what they tended to find was by the club’s minimum entry age of 8, children were already committed to other sports. To encourage under-8s, the club developed a short taster course that ran once a term.