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Children and Young People

Festival of Sport staff

Giving athletics a go at the Norfolk Festival of Sport

In August, the picturesque Holkham Hall in Norfolk provided the perfect backdrop for the third edition of the Norfolk Festival of Sport at this venue
Blackheath YDL Upper winners 2023

YDL: an enthralling weekend of track and field

The Manchester Regional Arena was the backdrop for an enthralling weekend of track and field featuring some of the country’s younger club athletes. And it was Blackheath who retained their titles in both the upper and lower age-group competitions with a points score of 819 and 662, respectively.
Young athletes racing on a track. Credit Aleksandra Szmigiel.

Age group change consultation: webinars announced

As part of a UK-wide consultation with the sport on the proposed introduction of new age groups from April 2024., Welsh Athletics and England Athletics are hosting a series of webinars where we will share more detail of the research, rationale and options for implementation.
Girls running for YDL

Youth Development League (YDL) National Finals 2023

The Manchester Regional Arena will provide the backdrop for this weekend’s Youth Development League (YDL) National Finals 2023. Clubs from across the country will be competing in two age groups, lower or upper, on Saturday and Sunday.
Alan Barlow

Alan Barlow: 1946-2023

England Athletics is saddened to learn of the death of Alan Barlow who played a huge role in the set up and administration of the AAA s charity as both chairman and treasurer. We publish below an obituary written by Former England Athletics Non-Executive Director, and chair of the runbritain Road Running Management Group Nigel Rowe MBE who was a long-time colleague and friend of Alan's.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson shot put at the 2023 Worlds heptathlon

funetics ambassador KJT inspiring young people

Katarina Johnson-Thompson, two-time world and Commonwealth champion, is the ambassador for our funetics programme. Together, we are striving to inspire children and young people through the power of athletics. Best known for her world-class talent both on the track and in the field as a combined-eventer (pentathlon and heptathlon), Katarina is no stranger to success. Now aged 30, she’s just become the World Champion for heptathlon for the second time to add to her two Commonwealth Games titles! We pass on our huge congratulations to her!
Shrewsbury AC Festival

Shrewsbury AC innovating the athletics competition experience

At England Athletics and throughout the affiliated clubs network, we’re passionate about giving people of all ages opportunities to give athletics a go and have fun – something West Midlands club Shrewsbury AC excelled in at their recent Athletics Festival.
Children taking part in funetics activity

funetics’ Commonwealth Games Legacy programme expands into Lewisham

England Athletics is pleased to announce that they are expanding their funetics Commonwealth Games Legacy programme to the London Borough of Lewisham from July 2023.
Alicia Barrett competing in the 2018 Commonwealth Youth Games

Unsung heroes: the pivotal role parents play in sports

Parents and carers play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting their children’s participation in competitive sport. For anyone who participated in athletics as a youngster, they’ll know only too well that mums and dads are the unsung heroes of their child’s success. From early alarm calls and driving countless motorway miles to fulfilling the roles of financier, coach, and counsellor, parents as volunteers and inspirational role models keep the sport alive. We caught up with three parents of talented young athletes to find out a little more.
Andrew Grenfell coaching young athletes at Rossendale Harriers

Andrew Grenfell – giving back to the sport

Andrew Grenfell only recently turned to coaching at his local club, Rossendale Harriers, but he, and his coaching partner Jon Cleaver, have already made a big impact. It is great to see the huge and positive impact that Andrew has had on the sport in his new volunteering role. We caught up with him to find out more.