Top tips for athletes and parents to prepare for age group changes

From 1 April 2026, the age groups in which young athletes compete will change from U13, U15, U17 and U20, as is currently the case, to U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20. These changes are grounded in a desire to support athletes with their progression through the sport.

The indoor track and field season and the upcoming cross country season will operate under the current rules and age groups, with the change coming into effect on 1 April 2026.

Here are our top tips to help prepare athletes and their parents for the changes:

🎯 Know your new age group early

• Use our handy Age Group Calculator spreadsheet to easily identify which category you’ll fall into from 1 April 2026.
• View our simplified age groups table to see how different School Years will fit into each age group.

🧠 Understand what’s changing and why

• Read through our FAQs to understand how the changes affect different disciplines.
• See the objectives of the changes below.

🧭 Stay ahead of technical tweaks

• If your discipline involves equipment (shot put, javelin, hurdles), learn about new requirements now.
• Begin practicing with the right implements so the transition feels smooth and second nature.

🏋️‍♂️ Adjust your training plan

• Work with your coach to adapt training in line with new age group rules and equipment specs.
• Start incorporating practice with any different implements or race formats you'll encounter.

💬 Join the conversation

•   Book a place on our scheduled drop-in sessions on 9 September and 8 October (6–7pm) to ask questions and get clarity.

• Submit questions in advance via email to: trackandfieldproject@englandathletics.org

The objectives of the changes are to:

• Simplify age group dates for all disciplines
• Support athletes in their long-term development
• Retain and recruit more young people in athletics 
• Provide a clear, simplified pathway for all areas of the sport, from U10s to Seniors
• Provide better gradual progression for all athletics events
• And in creating an additional age group, better support age and stage appropriate competition formats & events

It’s important to point out that the age group changes alone are not viewed as the sole answer to the challenges we face as a sport in retaining and recruiting athletes and are part of a wider approach to arresting participation decline and increasing the number of young people engaged in track and field particularly.