Grassroots Athletics

From playground to podium

As the team behind UK Athletics, we are committed to making it easier for athletes of today and tomorrow to achieve their dreams.

Apart from being fun and providing obvious health benefits, sport also helps children learn vital life skills such as teamwork, leadership, confidence, discipline and learning to win and lose. That's why our schemes with UK Athletics focus on fun and inclusion at all levels and abilities. From a child's first introduction to the basic skills of running, jumping and throwing, to their first competitive action, our schemes have something for everyone.

Last year alone we helped more than one million children get involved in athletics through our grassroots and development programmes. By 2012 we hope to have engaged over 10 million children and over 100,000 teachers in nearly every school throughout the UK.

For some children, our schemes provide the first stepping stones on a sporting career path that will hopefully end up on the podium at major championships. Many of Britain's top athletes including Kelly Sotherton, Jessica Ennis, Nathan Douglas and Martyn Rooney have come through our sponsored grassroots programmes.

These schemes are the heartbeat of our partnership with UK Athletics and will give the sport strong foundations for a lasting legacy.