Street 2 Stadium logo

Street 2 Stadium

The Street 2 Stadium para athletics talent ID initiative is back and better than ever! Street 2 Stadium has seen incredible stars such as Maddie Down, a T38 sprinter and long jumper, springboard from school sports day to the world stage at the Paralympic Games.

The project is set to increase the number of para athletes accessing regular athletics training in England and progressing into the England Talent Pathway.

kids throwing fowm javelins

How will we do this?

We are proud to introduce our new Street 2 Stadium Para Athletics Talent Coordinators who will work in different cities spread across England:

We will deliver specialist athletics coaching sessions to schools and groups with a view to identifying potential para athletes with eligible impairments (see list below), who show potential to join the pathway.

We will break down barriers for identified para athletes to access our sport through specialist support from our coordinators which could include financial support to attend coaching sessions. We will help to facilitate the transition of identified athletes from the Street 2 Stadium programme into our club network and through the national classification process.

In each of these regions, we will place an emphasis on building relationships between schools and athletics clubs to establish a network of inclusive athletics talent development environments in England.

young visually impaired runners

Why is this important?

Research tells us that three quarters of disabled people want to be more active (Annual Disability and Activity Survey; June 2024) and we are committed to providing an opportunity within athletics for new athletes with a disability to enjoy our sport.

We support Sport England’s Talent Plan which prioritises inclusion and progression:

We want to ensure England Talent Pathways are accessible to everyone who has the ability and potential, regardless of background or circumstance.

Sport England Talent Plan

Matt Kendrick, National Para Athletics Manager says:

 "We are passionate about breaking down barriers in our sport and diversifying where and how we identify talented para athletes. Thanks to Backing the Best and Sports Aid for providing the resource that enables us to deliver this project."

"We will work hard to increase the strength and depth across all event groups within our sport whilst focussing on providing opportunities for those people from ethnically diverse backgrounds who could excel in para athletics."

"I am confident that the Paralympic medallists of the future are still out there and that this could be their first step on their journey towards Paralympic success."

Street 2 Stadium images and logo

Programme structure

  • We will deliver specialist coaching sessions delivered in mainstream and specialist education settings with a view to identifying potential para athletes with eligible impairments.
  • Identified athletes from these sessions will be invited to a talent day in spring for further assessment.
  • Identified athletes from these talent days will be supported to transition into clubs to receive regular coaching and subsequently supported through para athletics national classification.

How can you get involved?

Teachers / Schools

If you have a student or students with a disability and would like a Street 2 Stadium coaching session delivered in your school, please contact your most local Street 2 Stadium para athletics co-ordinator.

Clubs

If you are interested in supporting the development of para athletes within your club in one of the identified areas, please contact your contact your most local Street 2 Stadium para athletics co-ordinator.

Thanks to the clubs that are currently engaged with the project (more to follow!):

Athletes

If you are aged 10 – 20 and have a disability on the eligible impairments list, contact your local para athletics co-ordinator to find out more. No experience of athletics is necessary.

Eligible impairments list
Street 2 Stadium images and logo

Find out more

For enquiries relating to para athletics eligibility and para athletics classification contact classification@britishathletics.org.uk 

For general enquiries relating to the programme contact Matt Kendrick, National Para Athletics Manager mkendrick@englandathletics.org

Find more information about para athletics and the England Talent Pathway on our website.