Community athletics in West Yorkshire

What were our objectives?

West Yorkshire suffered from a lack of athletics clubs for under–11s. A large gap existed between schools athletics programmes and what was being provided for younger children by local clubs. West Yorkshire Sports Partnership introduced Community Athletics Clubs as a stepping stone from school to the community and a fun way for young people to improve their sporting and social development.

What did we do?

Emphasis was placed on achieving goals by linking existing programmes, from UK Athletics and the Sportshall Athletic Association programmes to PESSCL. Specific tools were used to achieve the CSP’s aims including Community Sports Coaches, School to Club Links and Clubmark. Community Athletics Clubs were established within schools and sports centres under the guidance of existing athletics clubs. Training was also provided to develop high quality athletics coaches with the specific skills to coach children.

What were the results?

• Over 3500 children are accessing Sports hall athletics within schools
• 3100 young people are competing in Sportshall athletics leagues
• There are nine established community athletics clubs attracting over 200 new young people on a weekly basis
• Three out of the 13 clubs have achieved Clubmark with eight others soon to follow
• Talent identification trials were held so that 40 young people represented West Yorkshire in a regional competition
• Ten coaches have been provided with Sportshall training at EIS and seven coaches at community clubs
• Five athletics coaches are now employed through the Community Sports Coaching scheme working on a range of school / club programmes