Vision Group created to review participation

As part of the ongoing, wide-reaching review into participation in track and field, the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs) are pleased to confirm the culmination of the first phase of research, and the formation of an independent group assembled to work through the research findings.

The first phase of the research saw 30 young people – either regular track and field participants; those who have dropped out of the sport; or those with sporting interests but no history of track and field participation – give their thoughts on the appeal of the sport among those in their age group.

Off the back of this phase of the review, a Vision Group – co-chaired by Steve Cram and Steve Smith – has now been assembled, and asked to use the benefit of their experience and insight to suggest key principles that the sport may be able to adopt going forward, in order to increase participation.

Alongside Cram and Smith, the group – which met for the first time in London at the end of April – also includes:

• Gary Laybourne, CEO of Coach Core and coach at South London Harriers
• Tammy Oshinowo, sprinter and member of the Scottish Athletics Young People’s Forum
• Christine Ohuruogo: Former Olympic 400m champion, who also boasts individual world and Commonwealth titles, and a host of global 4x400m medals.
• Louise Gear, Head of Development at the Football Association and incoming Director of Sport at Loughborough University.
• Nick Pearson, Chair of Windsor, Slough, Eton and Houslow AC and CEO Forte Athlete Management.
• Abi Ekoku, former international discus thrower and sports administrator and CEO.
• Hannah Brier, current Welsh international sprinter.
• Adele Nicoll, current Welsh international thrower.
• Pamela Robson, Scottish Athletics Para Pathways Manager.
• TJ Ossei, Competition Director and Director Be Fit Today Track Academy.

Steve Cram, Chair of the group explains:

"Steve Smith and I are delighted to be part of the formation of this group and to co-chair. We're working through a process which we hope will ultimately see us arrive at achievable solutions to the problem which we all know exists in our sport – the participation levels among young people."

"The four HCAFs recognise the impact and the importance of this issue, and have invested significant time and effort into ensuring that we have a robust process which takes into account cross-sport views, but also utilises the experience and knowledge of those well-placed to put forward principles which can help to deliver a stronger, more sustainable sport."

"We know that the way that young people interact and engage with sport is evolving. It is absolutely vital for the future of our sport that we evolve too."

Dean Hardman, project co-ordinator, added:

"Commissioning the research was the first stage of this process, and the formation of this group – which sits completely independently from the established governance structure of the HCAFs – will allow us to take this work forward."

Further quantative research is also underway.