Competition opportunities for U10s and U12s

With the new age groups now in effect, there are plenty of competition opportunities available to young athletes in the U10 and U12 age groups. Here's a brief snapshot of some of those opportunities.

U10 and U12 athletes are encouraged to take part in fun, flexible, local, team events as an introduction to competition opportunities before they enter structured, individual events.

UK Athletics recently published their updated Rules for Competition, incorporating the new even age groups. Whilst the rulebook changes to age groups mention U12s and their requirement to register to their Home Country Association to compete, they are not listed as an official age group where competition licensing and rules apply.

U12 athletes will not be able to compete as U14s, and will have competition opportunities within their own age group.

Youth Development League competitions are for U14s and U16s (lower) and U18s and U20s (upper), so young athletes will enter these at U14 level.

Working together with clubs and schools to enhance competition

We work with clubs who provide formal league and championship exposure to talented youngsters, and to provide support for schools and teachers, as well as opportunities for children.

We can put schools in contact with clubs who are willing and equipped to help provide athletics in schools, as well as enabling youngsters to enjoy extra-curricular opportunities. By building these partnerships between schools and clubs, we can give children a consistent and high-quality experience in athletics.

U12s competing within licensed competitions

There will be occasions where some U12s will compete within meetings that are licensed – for example, an U12 funetics Multi-Challenge event happening at the same venue and time as a county championships.

Plenty of open meetings are offering U10 and U12 licenced competition as part of their wider event - click here to access UKA's fixture finder.

Inter- and intra-club competitions

Competition providers can still hold unlicensed competitions for U12 athletes - for example, local, inter- (multi-club) and intra-club (in-club) competitions, with risk assessments completed. U12s can compete just as U11 athletes did under the old age groups.

funetics Multi-Challenge

funetics Multi-Challenge (fMC) is an exciting, new, flexible team based competition format for all ages and abilities.

Measuring and rewarding both improvement and performance, fMC can be delivered as part of a PE lesson, after-school activity, school sports day or other intra- or inter-school activity, for anyone aged 7 years and over.

fMC has been designed to help schools and clubs deliver a fun, competitive competition, which can be adapted to maximise engagement.

Sportshall Primary

The Sportshall Primary Programme is an essential component of the School Games. Recommended and endorsed by England Athletics, the programme culminates in an exciting series of county finals supported by Eveque.

Sportshall Primary provides the ideal format in which to introduce young people to athletics and multi-skills competition. Whilst the Sportshall Award Scheme offers a structured approach to the teaching of skills and introduces some elements of competition, Sportshall Primary significantly enhances the experience:

• Introducing young people to competition in a fun team-based format
• Encouraging mass participation with teams including up to 30 children
• Promoting local delivery through a programme of cluster and Partnership events

Standard formats are recommended for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. The provision of opportunity for comparatively large teams to represent a school is a key factor in the success and appeal of Sportshall, with the focus placed firmly on the achievements of the team and the importance of supporting each other.

Sportshall Secondary

The Sportshall Secondary Programme builds on the Primary experience and offers ideal solutions to the challenges of intra-school competition and the retention of young people in competitive school sport following transition. Recommended and endorsed by England Athletics, the programme offers opportunity for progression to county and regional finals.

Sportshall Secondary retains an emphasis on team competition whilst also encouraging athletes to develop individually. The focus on key skills, coupled with the inclusion of individual races and the addition of shot put, reinforce the relevance of Sportshall for those athletes preparing for the outdoor season. Standard formats are recommended for Years 7 and 8.