Youth Talent Programme received 350 applications
The Youth Talent Programme applications have now officially closed. We received an astounding 350 applications from all corners of the country with representation from over 150 England Athletics affiliated clubs. The quality of the applications is astonishing, which is going to make selection extra tough. A massive thank you to all of the athlete-coach partnerships that applied. A special thank you also needs to go to all of the parents and guardians that helped complete the applications too.
Martin Rush - England Athletics Head of Coaching and Athlete Development commented, "It’s fantastic that the athletics community have engaged so well with the YTP application process. Thank you to the coach and athlete development team for all the time and effort they have put into developing the YTP thus far. The programme has taken huge steps forward and I’m really looking forward to seeing the coach-athlete partnerships on the 20-22 cohort enjoy and benefit from it when they start in October. For those that don't make it onto the programme, I encourage you to keep working hard and focusing on developing yourself holistically as a coach or athlete. There are multiple entry points to the talent pathway and the regional training days are there to offer addition support to help you make that step."
Dan Wagner (British Athletics Pathway Manager – Olympic) added, "We are thrilled with the number of applicants for the YTP, the programme has evolved over recent years and plays a key part of providing a dual career pathway for athletes and support for coaches in England. Through the collaboration with British Athletics, England Athletics, and key partners Loughborough College and Marathon Sports, it’s our ambition to provide holistic support to athletes, coaches and parents and ensure they have a productive experience on the programme and ultimately fulfil ambitions of success on the international stage."
Next steps
The panel - which is made up of the British Athletics pathway manager, England Athletics event group leads, and England Athletics talent event leads - will now choose coach-athlete partnerships that meet the selection criteria. Invitations to join the YTP will go out to successful coach-athlete partnerships in early October. If unsuccessful, coach-athlete partnerships may still engage with support via the regional coach and athlete training days which will be bookable via www.athleticshub.co.uk.
We can’t wait to welcome the 20-22 cohort on to their first step on the athletics talent pathway. The future of athletics in England is very bright!