CEO blog: Celebrating our sport, supporting our people, shaping our future

As I write this blog, I've been reflecting on some of the many moments that remind me why athletics and running remain such a special part of communities across England.

From celebrating excellence at the TAFi Awards, to looking ahead to important governance changes and exciting competition pilots, there is a great deal to be positive about.

Most importantly, I continue to be inspired by the people who make our sport what it is: our volunteers, officials, coaches, group leaders, competition organisers, athletes, runners and clubs. Together, they are the lifeblood of athletics and running in this country.

Celebrating excellence at the TAFi Awards

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the TAFi Awards, and it was a truly wonderful evening.

The room was full of positivity, achievement and pride. It brought together many of the leading figures from across British athletics and para athletics, alongside volunteers and contributors who have dedicated decades of service to our sport.

It was fantastic to catch up with athletes whose performances I have admired for many years, including members of Team England from this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Seeing athletes such as Jaz Sawyers and Zac Shaw recognised and celebrated was particularly special. Jaz's journey, resilience and determination to overcome setbacks and return to her very best is something that deserves enormous respect, and it has been wonderful to witness her success.

What struck me most, however, was the recognition given to those who have quietly served the sport for years. Individuals such as Beryl Clay, whose commitment at club level across Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire has made a lasting difference to countless people, remind us that our sport is built on dedication and service.

It was equally fitting to see Mark Shearman MBE recognised for his remarkable contribution to athletics photography. Through his lens, he has helped tell the story of our sport for generations, and I am delighted that he will also be inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame later this month.

The evening was a powerful reminder that athletics is, above all else, a family. Whether your experience is on the Olympic or Paralympic stage, at a club meeting, a local road race or a community running group, people in our sport look after one another, celebrate one another's success and support one another through challenges.

As we now look ahead to the England Athletics National Volunteer Awards and Hall of Fame ceremony later this month, that same spirit of celebration will once again be centre stage.

Get your tickets for the Hall of Fame and National Awards evening

A sport for everyone

One of the themes discussed at the TAFi Awards was inclusion, and it is a subject that sits at the very heart of athletics and running.

Ours is genuinely a sport for everyone. It is a sport that can be enjoyed from childhood through to later life. We have members as young as four or five years old and members well into their nineties. Few activities can make that claim.

Across our 1,450 affiliated clubs, we see people from every background, every community and every walk of life coming together through a shared love of athletics and running. Our volunteers, coaches, officials and leaders reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and that is something we should celebrate more often.

Athletics and running offer far more than sporting outcomes. The impact is felt across physical and mental wellbeing, social connection, community cohesion and economic activity. From major city marathons and half marathons to local competitions and trail races, our sport contributes to tourism, hospitality and local economies while also helping people lead healthier, happier lives.

What consistently stands out to me, particularly during award season, are the human stories. The lived experiences. The examples of confidence built, friendships formed, barriers removed and communities strengthened.

These stories demonstrate the true value of our sport, and we should all be proud of the difference athletics and running make every day across England.

For the sport, with the sport

At England Athletics, we are often described as the national governing body, and rightly so. But perhaps more importantly, we are a service organisation.

Everything we do should start with listening.

Listening to our clubs. Listening to our volunteers. Listening to our athletes, runners, coaches and officials. Listening with empathy and understanding, and being prepared to act where we can make a difference.

Our ambition is to be viewed as reliable, trustworthy, responsive and open for business. We want to facilitate wherever possible rather than direct. And where direction is needed, it should always be delivered in a collaborative and human way.

The reality is that our sport succeeds because of the thousands of volunteers who give their time and energy every week. England Athletics may employ 84 dedicated staff members, but we are supporting a sport that reaches millions of people and depends on the commitment of volunteers in every corner of the country.

Quite simply, we cannot do what we do without them.

That is why our message is clear: for the sport, with the sport. We are one team working together to help athletics and running thrive.

Governance change brings new opportunities

This month also marks an important period of transition for England Athletics as we approach our Annual General Meeting.

We will welcome Sami Smithson as our new Chair, succeeding Gary Shaughnessy, who steps down after providing outstanding leadership and service. On behalf of everyone at England Athletics, I would like to thank Gary for his commitment and support throughout his tenure.

We will also say farewell to two long-serving Non-Executive Directors, Helen Kendall and Janyce Holmes, whose dedication and expertise have helped shape the organisation over many years. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Chris Conway and Robert Tansey, who will bring fresh perspectives and valuable experience to the Board.

Change creates opportunity.

Over the coming months we will also begin the process of electing a new cohort of Regional Councils across England. These councils will play a vital role in connecting national strategy with local delivery, helping us respond to the specific needs of clubs, athletes and communities in each region.

I would strongly encourage anyone who is passionate about our sport and wants to make a difference to consider putting themselves forward. We need people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Find out more about the upcoming nominations

Diversity of thought leads to better decisions. The more representative our governance structures are of the communities we serve, the stronger our sport will become.

Progress on the Track and Field Vision

We continue to make positive progress with the Track and Field Vision pilots taking place across the North East, East of England and South East.

These pilots are exploring new approaches to competition, with a particular focus on young athletes and creating experiences that are engaging, relevant and athlete-centred.

In the North East and South East, club clusters are exploring innovative formats and challenges designed to make competition more accessible and enjoyable. Meanwhile, in the East of England, the Eastern Athletics Association is looking at how it can play a leading role in revitalising competition opportunities and creating a more coordinated offer for athletes.

What excites me most is that these ideas are emerging from the grassroots.

I have always believed that lasting change comes from a bottom-up approach. England Athletics can help facilitate, support, connect and share best practice, but local people understand their local challenges and opportunities better than anyone else.

As we continue these conversations across the country, I am increasingly optimistic about the future of competition and what 2027 could bring.

Supporting safer running through Let's Lift the Curfew

I also want to recognise the excellent work undertaken recently by the England Athletics team in partnership with Sport England as part of the Let's Lift the Curfew campaign.

As the evenings and mornings become darker, safety becomes an increasingly important consideration for runners, particularly women. Through this campaign, working alongside This Girl Can and our wider partners, we have been able to shine a spotlight on practical ways to help people stay active and feel confident while running.

Group running remains one of the most effective ways to support safety, confidence and connection, which is why I am so proud of the work being delivered through RunTogether.

Across the country, more than 3,000 RunTogether leaders support over 200,000 participants, creating welcoming and inclusive environments where people can enjoy the benefits of running together.

Their contribution to local communities is enormous, and they deserve our thanks and recognition.

Looking ahead

As we move deeper into the autumn and winter season, there is plenty to look forward to.

Last weekend's English National Cross Country Relays at Berry Hill Park once again showcased everything that is great about club athletics, bringing together thousands of participants of all ages and abilities. The cross country season is now gathering pace, indoor competition is just around the corner, and our talent programmes are already underway.

There is real momentum across the sport.

So, as always, my sincere thanks go to every volunteer, coach, official, leader, athlete, runner and club who continues to make athletics and running possible.

Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive and more connected sport. And together, we have every reason to be optimistic about what comes next.