In May 2021, England Athletics launched a 12-year strategic plan following extensive consultation with multiple stakeholders from across the sport. Putting athletes and runners at the heart, the strategic plan focuses on creating opportunities, enhancing experiences and powering potential. The overarching purpose of the strategic plan is to inspire more athletes and runners of all abilities and backgrounds to fulfil their potential and to have a lifelong love for the sport, with a clear vision for athletics to become a more inclusive sport where everyone belongs and can flourish. Two and a half years on, we are pleased to present a snapshot of progress within our key focus areas.

On behalf of everyone at England Athletics, we wanted to thank you all for everything that you have committed to our great sport during 2023. We also wish you and your close ones a very happy holiday season, and hope you are able to recharge your batteries ahead of an action packed 2024 athletics and running season across England.

Have you heard of the England Athletics Talent Hubs? This Christmas we’re celebrating the fantastic work of the England Athletics family, and today we’re taking a deeper dive into the world of performance athletics and running. Whether you have never heard of the Talent Hubs or want to learn more about how you can benefit from their services, we’re here to explain it all! 

Newquay and Par AC have been working with England Athletics towards achieving the club standards, so the club has good governance and duty of care. Building upon these standards, the club wanted to become a greater club by providing a vibrant environment of their athletes. The collaboration created a project plan to make this a reality.

Last week we were delighted to have two Youth Talent Programme coaches attend and represent England Athletics at the European Discus Conference in Tallinn. Jess Arnison from Leigh Harriers and Mike Martin from Trafford AC were amongst 99 coaches from 29 European countries who came together in Estonia for three days of insightful theoretical and practical sessions led by the very best coaches and deliverers in the field. These included world silver medallist Kristjan Ceh, coach Gerd Kanter, and Olympic Champion Daniel Stahl’s current coach, Staffan Jönnson!

Many RunTogether groups up and down the country relies on their local streets and green spaces to run their sessions with running being one of the most accessible sports for people to take part in. However, some RunTogether groups are now looking to local venues to help facilitate extra varied sessions as is the case for North Yorkshire’s Team Caterpillar.

Last weekend over 250 athletes came together at both Loughborough and Birmingham universities for the Youth Talent Programme new cohort training camp! The weekend consisted of lots of training with the national event group coaches as well as interactive workshops including learning all about UK Anti-Doping. But what makes the programme so special, and how has it been developed to make it better than ever this year? Youth Talent Programme Manager, Alan Richardson and England Athletics CEO Chris Jones tell you why.

The nominations are in, they've all been discussed by our Region Council Awards panels and the decisions have been made! We're ready to announce our England Athletics Regional Volunteer Award winners at each of the nine events around the country. And you can share in the success by watching all the events via live streaming.

The podium has been dominated by England Athletics at the Sporting Equals Awards 2023! Our sport had winners in five categories in a night of celebration at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Congratulations to Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Zharnel Hughes, Ayesha Jones, Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker and Leon Baptiste. The Sporting Equals Awards saw 500 people come together in central London to celebrate the achievements of ethnically diverse athletes, coaches,volunteers and communities. Known as the MOBOs of sport, the awards shine a light on emerging stars as well as those already at the forefront of their disciplines. The Sporting Equals Awards pay tribute to the work undertaken to tackle inactivity and underrepresentation of ethnically diverse communities.

England Athletics is delighted to announce the athletes who have been selected for the Junior Talent Pathway, Senior Pathway and Para Academy for the coming year.