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Children and Young People

Children taking part in a funetics session

We’re delighted to see Physical Literacy Consensus Statement for England published

The Physical Literacy Consensus statement, issued by Sport England will help those working in the sport, education, physical activity, recreation, play, health, and youth sectors.

Celebrating the importance of sport and physical activity on children’s mental health

Mental health has been at the forefront of not just our minds at England Athletics this week but the world, with World Mental Health Awareness Day celebrated this Tuesday. We caught up with some key players in the sporting community to find out how they have been affected by mental health challenges, and why running can have such a positive impact.
Children taking part in the Daily Mile along the Albert Dock

Our children are in a mental health crisis. We need to take action now

This World Mental Health Day, our sport is calling on the leaders of our political parties to unlock the potential of sport and physical activity to play a more meaningful role in tackling the UK’s growing mental health epidemic. Launched today at an All Parliamentary Committee session in Liverpool, led by Kim Ledbetter for Sport, the central message in the Open Letter to MP’s says we’re failing too many of our children, who leave school unfit, inactive and dealing with poor mental health on an unprecedented scale:
Children at Lawley Running Club

Lawley Running Club start their funetics journey

Whether your club currently has a junior section, or you are considering opening your doors to young people, funetics is the perfect place to start just as Lawley Running Club in Shropshire have done.
Children taking part in funetics session at Vale of York

Fun for all the family with funetics at the Vale of York

The primary focus of funetics is engaging children and young people with the athletics fundamental movement skills of running, jumping and throwing all whilst having fun. This is something which the Vale of York Athletic Community in Selby has demonstrated and provided for children and families at their recent Family Fun Day.
AJ Bell Great North Run branding on bridge

Sunshine and smiles on Super Saturday

The AJ Bell Great North Junior and Mini Run was a celebration of sport in its purest form.  The next generation of athletes took part in either a 4km or a 1.2km run around the quayside of Newcastle, a spectacular backdrop for a brilliant day of action. 
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.
Children taking part in funetics activity

funetics comes to Lewisham

Commencing September 2023, with a full-time funetics Activator, the funetics programme will be rolled out in the London Borough of Lewisham across schools, communities, and partners (leisure, sport and health operators) for all children at Key Stage 1 & 2.