Two new age group drop-in sessions added

Ahead of the age group changes coming into effect next April, England Athletics is hosting a series of online drop-in sessions over the coming months, to allow those within the sport to get any remaining questions answered, or queries clarified. Two new dates for these sessions have been added in for Tuesday 11 November and Wednesday 10 December.

The latest drop-in session took place on 8 October and was led by Project Co-ordinator Dean Hardman and National Event Manager Darren Ritchie, answering important questions from people involved in the sport, who received clarification on how the changes would affect them and how to best prepare.

The session focused specifically on Combined Events and how the changes would affect those involved - you can watch back any of our previous drop-in sessions by clicking here, including a hurdles-specific session.

The new age groups will be introduced on 1 April 2026, in line with previous announcements. This means that the upcoming indoor track and field season and ongoing cross country season will operate under the current rules and age groups. However, competition providers may request to pilot the new age groups as part of the licensing process, while workshops around the transition for coaches of hurdlers and throwers will be held - search our Athletics Hub for 'technical camps'.

The upcoming drop-in sessions will take place between 6pm and 7pm on the evenings of 11 November and 10 December.

Book a place

Following UK Athletics’ approval of the changes in January 2024, England Athletics and the other Home Country Athletics Federations have worked to ensure that issues ahead of the April 2026 implementation are identified, rectified and understood.

These online sessions are a continuation of that process, and we encourage stakeholders to submit their questions in advance where possible, so that full and comprehensive information can be shared during the sessions.

Dean Hardman, Project Co-ordinator, said:

"These drop-in sessions are an informal way for parents, coaches, athletes, officials and club representatives to directly ask any questions that they might have about the implementation of the upcoming age group changes or to get clarification on any issues they may have identified.

"We've held several of these sessions throughout this year, and feedback has shown that they have been productive and useful sessions."

"There is no set agenda and attendees can dip in and out should they wish to do so. We do encourage the submission of questions in advance, where possible, so that they can be answered effectively, and it's also fine just to listen in. Everyone is welcome."

We invite anyone involved in the sport to attend, and submit the questions which relate to the practicalities that they will face when these changes come into effect on 1 April 2026.

To submit a question in advance, please email (trackandfieldproject@englandathletics.org) specifying which session that you are planning to attend.