Talented Athlete and Coach Pathway
England Athletics works to grow opportunities for everyone to experience athletics and running, to enable them to reach their full potential.
The Talented Athlete and Coach Pathway provides a progressive support structure for athletes and coaches to develop skills and competencies with the aim of moving athletes on to representative honours at England and GB Level.
From school into club athletics and parallel support through the pathway programmes, the aim is to ensure the journey of the athlete and coach reaches its full potential. Athletics is an inclusive and diverse sport that provides excitement, challenge and lifelong enjoyment. Supporting talented individuals and the wider athletics club community through pathway programmes and talent hubs is the vision.
Video: Reach your potential with the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme. Watch on YouTube.
Olympic and Paralympic talent pathway
The below diagram illustrates the 2023-2024 athlete pathway from national age group to Olympic and World Championship level.
- Learn more about the Paralympic Talent Programme
What is the purpose of the talent pathway?
| Programme name | Age Group | Programme size | Programme duration | Programme focus | Delivery Model |
| Youth Talent Programme | U18 | 440 (220 year 1 + 220 year 2) | 2 years. Application in year 1 | Educate Introduction to performance support service | Camp based |
| Junior Talent Programme | U20 | Maximum 150 (75 year 1+ 75 year 2) | 1 -2 years. Annual selection | Application Building and creating the support team and training environment | Camp based Talent Hub environment |
| Senior Development Programme | U23 and Senior | 40 (30-35 T&F + 5-10 marathon) | 2(min)-4(max) years. Annual selection | Application Building and creating the support team and training environment | Camp based Talent Hub environment Service support |
| Senior Performance Programme | U23 and Senior | 30 (24 T&F + 6 marathon) | 2(min)-4(max) years. Annual selection | Leadership Leading the support team and specialising the services | Service support Talent Hub environment |
| Para Academy | 12+ | 24 | Annual selection | 2 Camps a year Para-specific development opportunities |
Talent pathway staff
- Sarah Benson: Head of Talent sbenson@englandathletics.org
- Alan Richardson: Talent Pathway Manager arichardson@englandathletics.org 07586 496274
- Matthew Kendrick: National Para Manager mkendrick@englandathletics.org
Event Group Leads
- Speed: Shani Palmer spalmer@englandathletics.org
- Endurance (track): Hayley Hemmings hhemmings@englandathletics.org
- Endurance (off track): Tom Craggs tcraggs@englandathletics.org
- Jumps and Combined Events: Darren Ritchie dritchie@englandathletics.org
- Throws: Nick Ridgeon nridgeon@englandathletics.org
Find out more
Visit the links below to find out more about the Youth, Junior and Senior and Paralympic Talent Programmes.
Senior Programme
Aiming to support athletes and their coaches who are targeting representative vests at a Senior England level.
Youth Talent Programme
Part of the talent to performance pathway designed to meet the needs of identified, talented English athletes aged 16-18.
Junior Talent Programme
Part of the talent to performance pathway designed to meet the needs of identified, talented English athletes aged 18-21.
Paralympic Academy
Aiming to support para-athletes progressing towards selection for the international senior team.