Guiding the next generation: Chris Jones on family, sport and support this Father's Day

CEO of England Athletics and father of three, Chris Jones has had his fair share of being a supportive parent both on and off the sporting field. Ahead of Father’s Day this Sunday, we caught up with Chris to learn about some of the influential figures from his life, and also the role that parents and guardians play in supporting young athletes in athletics and running. 

Sport in the family

Anyone who has met Chris will know that he is a keen sportsman, enjoying playing and spectating – primarily in cricket and rugby and of course, athletics! 

“My father is still a groundsman and volunteer at my cricket club and has been for over 50 years. I was signed up to the club from about three weeks old so had no option but to enter the sport. I was surrounded by positive male role models from a very early age in matches, at training, and on sidelines.  

“Sport as a whole not only teaches you physical and technical skills but being part of a team also nurtures discipline and life skills which will stand you in good stead for whatever journey you take through life. I am hopeful that I have passed on some of those experiences to my daughter and two sons (who are now 16, 24 and 21) who are enjoying their own sports of netball, rugby union, running and HYROX. As a parent, it is important to give your children opportunities to try sports but also let them make their own decisions, enable them to explore what they enjoy without creating too much of a pressurised environment.” 

Parents and guardians supporting the future of our sport

Progression in athletics and running will obviously require technical input from coaches at affiliated clubs, but parents and guardians play a pivotal role too. From being a taxi service to and from training and competitions to emotional support, personal chef and advice giver – the role of the whole family is integral to young athletes.

“There are so many key figures in children’s lives away from the immediate home whether that be brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, grandfathers, carers, teachers who all mould them into who they are. I know now even into my 50s with adult children in their 20s, being a parent never stops - you just adapt the role you play in their sporting journey. My brother is three years younger than me, but I know he also has an influence over my three children in a sporting and personal growth sense. 

“It is fundamentally important that children from a young age are introduced to sport and physical activity through schools and the community. There are plenty of role models within these environments through coaches and leaders. My upbringing was largely within cricket and rugby union. I did to athletics at school but I just happened to be better at other sports.  My PE teacher was captain of the local rugby club and his assistant was also involved in the local running scene too. I have no doubt that this led to more young people feeding into local clubs.

“A lot of what athletics can give you is transferrable across to other sports and our affiliated athletics club do a fantastic job through funetics and Run, Jump, Throw in introducing children to our sport and the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping and throwing.”

As well as being CEO of England Athletics, Chris is a board member for the Personal Best Foundation (PBF), the official charity of England Athletics. One of the main focuses of the charity is to enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience our sport, providing them with opportunities to give it a go with a clear pathway into the club system. Chris’ joint roles and the function of the charity is integral to breaking down barriers to track and field. Through vital funding and support, PBF has managed to establish key community sites in areas of high deprivation giving access sport and physical activity.

Athletics for all the family

With parents often starting out as the taxi of mum and dad, many will then move into supporting their children and their local club as Chris explains:

“There are so many different roles for parents, carers, grandparents alike in clubs – whether that be as coaches, officials, team managers or committee members to name a few. We are lucky to have such a huge number of volunteers dedicated to our sport, many of whom will stay in their club roles long after their children move on to pastures new. Even after their children have moved on, our sport creates these tight knit, supportive communities and lifelong friendships where everyone belongs and we are very lucky for that to be the case across the country.” 

A message to our community this Father’s Day

“I would encourage everyone this weekend to take some time to celebrate and thank your father, mother, carer, relatives, or any other role model who has influenced your life so far. I know from lived experience that life is precious and also that life passes quickly. With the benefit of hindsight there are lots of things that I regret not saying, that I wish I had, to those positive role models in my life over the years. My advice would be to never miss an opportunity to reinforce how much these people mean to you and to say thank you."