POV: Team manager at English Schools 2024
The English Schools Track and Field Championships are a highlight in the athletics calendar for many young athletes. Teams from over 40 counties came together in Birmingham over the weekend to compete for national schools’ titles.
These aspiring athletes are following in the footsteps of many Team GB athletes, including Matthew Hudson-Smith and Molly Caudery who last claimed English Schools titles in 2013 and 2017 respectively and this summer will be competing at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The event would not be able to go ahead without the Team Managers from each county who are vital for calming pre-competition nerves, inspiring athletes to do their best and fostering a positive team environment. We caught up with two team managers to discuss their experiences and highlights from this event.
From athlete to Team Manager

Looking back fondly on his experience as an athlete at English Schools inspired Jack Messenger to return to the event as a Team Manager for Hampshire.
“10 years ago I did my one and only English Schools, I raced in the 400m hurdles. Then I started to teach 2-3 years ago and have been doing athletics ever since. It’s great fun, and I love supporting all the children. I see a lot of them come through my school and club (Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC) which is great.
“Looking back to my English Schools you remember the people who you were with. We are a big county and have a team of around 70 people and it is about meeting new friends some of whom I am still close with today.”
His advice to the junior athletes in the Hampshire team was to,
“Enjoy the experience now because I only went once when I was younger, so have fun and push yourself to see how far you can go.”
What it means to see athletes succeeding as a coach
This prestigious event has drawn Kieron Hall, North Yorkshire Team Manager back for 11 years. He has many highlights to look back on.
“We have had Olympians over the years from our team, for example George Mills who is heading to the Olympics, we have had a few field eventers who have gone to World and European Championships and then I have had some personal athletes who have won the English Schools which is great as team manager but also as a coach.”
Alongside his teaching job, Kieron works with Talent Pathway athletes based at the England Athletics Talent Hub in Leeds. Many athletes supported by these programmes were competing at English Schools this weekend, which the Talent Pathway sessions helped them to prepare for.
“We have lots of different athletes here from the Youth Talent Programme (YTP) across different counties. The YTP prepares athletes really well for championships as it gets them ready for the season, from S&C to sports psychology, and nutrition. At English Schools the athletes on the programme are bumping into others they have met along the pathway and it makes them feel more comfortable when they see friendly faces.”
If you are an athlete born between 01/09/2007 to 31/08/2008 and think this support would benefit your athletics journey, then be sure to apply for the 2024-2026 cohort on the YTP to fulfil your potential. Applications are open now!
Find out more and apply now