Athletics

From fun runs to track glory — discover athletics clubs for young runners, jumpers, and throwers.

Your Athletics Journey

England Athletics provides pathways from parkrun juniors to Olympic competition.

4-8

Athletics Fun

Ages 4-8

Introduction to running, jumping, and throwing through games and challenges.

Mini and Junior Athletics

Oriam Scotland

athletics

After School Athletics Club - Krishna Avanti Primary School

Premier Education

athletics

After School Athletics Club - Millfield LEAD Academy

Premier Education

athletics

8-11

Junior Athletics

Ages 8-11

Club training, sportshall athletics, and multi-event development.

Mini and Junior Athletics

Oriam Scotland

athletics

After School Athletics Club - Krishna Avanti Primary School

Premier Education

athletics

After School Athletics Club - Millfield LEAD Academy

Premier Education

athletics

11-15

Development Athletics

Ages 11-15

Event specialisation begins, county championships, and structured training.

Mini and Junior Athletics

Oriam Scotland

athletics

After School Athletics Club - Krishna Avanti Primary School

Premier Education

athletics

After School Athletics Club - Millfield LEAD Academy

Premier Education

athletics

15-17

Youth Athletics

Ages 15-17

English Schools, national championships, and talent identification.

Athletics Short Course - 12-17 Years Athletics Academy Trial Session

Better

athletics

Athletics Short Course - 12-17 Years Athletics Academy Trial Session

Better

athletics

Athletics - Athletics Academy 12 - 17 years

Better

athletics

17-20

Senior Pathway

Ages 17-20

Junior international competition, senior club athletics, and elite programmes.

Athletics Short Course - 12-17 Years Athletics Academy Trial Session

Better

athletics

Athletics Short Course - 12-17 Years Athletics Academy Trial Session

Better

athletics

Athletics - Athletics Academy 12 - 17 years

Better

athletics

Where Athletics Can Take You

The skills developed transfer to many careers in and around the field.

Professional Athlete

Competing in track and field at elite level

Key Skills

Event-specific techniquePhysical conditioningCompetition mindsetDiscipline

Typical Route

Junior athletics → National championships → International → Olympics/Worlds

Athletics Coach

Coaching sprints, throws, jumps, or combined events

Key Skills

Event expertisePeriodisationBiomechanicsAthlete management

Typical Route

England Athletics Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 → Performance → World Class

Technical Official

Officiating field events and track races

Key Skills

Rules knowledgeEquipment operationPrecisionTeamwork

Typical Route

Club official → Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 → Level 4 → International

Biomechanist

Analysing movement to optimise performance

Key Skills

Motion analysisVideo softwareResearchFeedback delivery

Typical Route

Sports Science degree → PhD/MSc → Research associate → Lead biomechanist

Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024

Athletics Heroes

These stars started at local clubs just like yours. Their journeys show what's possible.

Dina Asher-Smith

Athletics

World Champion 200m, Olympic bronze medallist

Started atAge 8

FromLondon

“Blackheath & Bromley AC developed my talent. Local clubs are the foundation of British athletics.”

Keely Hodgkinson

Athletics

Olympic silver medallist 800m, British record holder

Started atAge 11

FromAtherton

“Leigh Harriers gave me my start. I was a gymnast first — it is never too late to try athletics.”

Josh Kerr

Athletics

World Champion 1500m, Olympic medallist

Started atAge 12

FromEdinburgh

“Edinburgh Athletic Club and New Mexico shaped my career. Dream big.”

Katarina Johnson-Thompson

Athletics

World Champion Heptathlon

Started atAge 10

FromLiverpool

“Liverpool Harriers is where I discovered multi-events. The heptathlon tests everything.”

Featured Athletics Providers

These organisations offer structured programmes for young people across the UK.

Better

8397 programmes

Better is the UK's largest charitable social enterprise for leisure, operating over 200 leisure centres, libraries, and children's centres. Activities include swimming lessons, gymnastics, tennis, dance, martial arts, climbing, football, multi-sports, holiday clubs, and more for all ages.

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Sample Programmes

Athletics - Athletic Multi Skills 5 - 7 years

📍 SE19 2BB

Ages 5–7

Athletics - Athletic Multi Skills 5 - 7 years

📍 SE19 2BB

Ages 5–7

Athletics - Athletic Skills 10 - 13 years

📍 SE19 2BB

Ages 10–13

ClubHub UK

2625 programmes

ClubHub UK is a directory of children's activities, classes and clubs across the UK. Founded in 2016, it helps millions of parents discover trusted activities for their children.

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Sample Programmes

Athletics – Free club run by AAAC

📍 AB10 7DR

Ages 5–10

Premier Education

840 programmes

Premier Education is the UK's leading provider of sport and physical activity programmes for primary school children aged 4-12. They deliver after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, wraparound care, holiday camps, and curriculum PE in over 2,500 schools nationwide. Activities include multi-sport, football, dance, gymnastics, cricket, tennis, and more — all designed to build confidence, develop skills, and inspire a love of being active. 20,000+ five-star parent reviews.

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Sample Programmes