Information for parents_

Coaching young athletes

One of the main question coaches and parents need to consider when developing young athletes is:

Does anyone remember a good junior athlete?
The answer normally is no, or if it is yes then it will normally go something like:

Do you remember athlete X, whatever happened to them?
In 2016 a study was undertaken to see what happened to the 90 winners of English Schools track and field titles at the 2006 championships, so the top young athletes across U15/17/20 age groups in the country. A decade later, when the athletes would have been aged between 24 and 29 years old and at the peak of their careers, it was found that just 11 of the 42 winners of girls’ events and eight of the 48 boys’ winners went on to gain a senior international vest. Many were no longer competing.

When coaching young athletes the clubs focus is on the individual athlete’s development, trying to ensure that the athletes have fun and remain in the sport and reach their potential. This does not mean that young athletes are not encouraged to do their best and celebrate their successes; however success at junior level should not be detrimental to young athletes health and enjoyment of the sport, or their long term development as athletes and in all aspects of life.

Athletics is classified as late specialisation sport meaning it will take longer for athletes to reach their full potential than in sports such as gymnastics. Sports scientists have found that it can take between eight to twelve years of training for a talented athlete to reach elite level. While there is a great deal of variance between individuals and events, in terms of the age at which athletes achieve their best performances, British athletes are generally not successful at the highest levels until they are into their mid to late twenties. There are some athletes who reach high levels at a young age, Keely Hodgkinson is a recent example, these however are the exception not the normal.

So following this science, if a young athlete starts in athletics at the age 9 years old has to maintain their health and interest in the sport for up to 15 years or more before they reach their potential. Therefore the importance for young athletes to have progressive structured training and not to over train is paramount. Not only can over training promote injury, it can also take the enjoyment out of the sport. Studies have shown that the large drop out in the sport is often due to over training at a young age, resulting in athletes stopping due to injury/health issues or falling out of love with the sport.

In 2019 a study was undertaken over 6 months of 136 adolescent distance runners (73 of them female) aged between 13-18 in England, all of whom were ranked in the top 50 in middle-distance events on Power of 10. It was discovered that almost one quarter (24 per cent) of the participants reported a health-related/injury problem that impact their training and, for 11 per cent, that included an issue that had “a substantial negative impact on training and performance. Female athletes reported “noticeably more” illnesses/injuries than male athletes.

As bones, cartilage and muscles continue to develop during puberty, teenagers are at risk of growth related injuries. Female junior athletes are at particular risk of strain in the legs, hips and knees, because the way that they walk, run and move will change when their hips start to widen. While children are experiencing major physical changes during growth, it is good to limit the volume and intensity of their training. Development changes can cause the child to temporarily perform less well which can lead to fatigue or injury.

Therefore it is important that coaches and parents do not treat a young athletes like an Olympic athlete from the start. To maximise the chances of success as a senior athlete, young athletes should enjoy the sport through fun training and competition appropriate to their age and individual development.

Information for parents

At the moment, due to unprecedented demand, we do not have space to safely accept any more junior athletes at our Withdean training nights. We always try to find ways of providing more places and when we are able to we will publish details on this page. If you wish to discuss your childs athletics potential with us, please use the contact form at https://brightonphoenix.org.uk/contact/ and choose the Join PHX membership- Juniors category. Someone will then be in touch.

Training philosophy
Our approach to training is based on the progressive long term development of the individual athlete. We take a long term view for the good of the child, both as an athlete and a person and therefore deliberately restrict training for the younger athletes.

Training for 9 to 14 year olds is held at our club night at Withdean Stadium on Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm. Athletes are split into small groups based not only on their chronological age but also their biological age (physical and emotional) and training age (time training). At this age training is about learning how to train, having fun trying different activities and learning fundamental movement patterns.

As athletes develop and show commitment and ability they will be invited to progress through groups and eventually start to specialise at events. Athletes are then invited to training groups at 6:30 on Wednesdays. Additional training is also held on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays at different times and venues, due to limited coaching resources this is by invitation only based on ability and commitment. When athletes are considered ready specialist strength and conditioning sessions are also available at different times of the week.

All sessions start with warm up and drills to prepare the body for the main training session. The younger groups are taught the warm up and drills that they will do as they progress to seniors, as the athletes get older they will be expected to warm up and drill by themselves.

The club has a number of international athletes, many of whom have progressed through the club and the older junior training groups often have combined training sessions with these athletes, which can be very inspirational and educational for the junior athletes.

Competing
The club believes that competing is important as it helps young athletes to develop both their athletic and life skills. Although we encourage our younger members to try competing in different events they will only be asked to compete in events they feel comfortable with and will never be pressured to compete in events just to gain points for the club. If an athlete does not want to compete they should speak to their coach/team manager/child welfare officer.

We have athletes regularly competing in events around the region and nationally from the U11 age group upwards, with the emphasis on enjoyment and personal development.

In the summer the club enters local U13 and U15 track leagues, giving members the opportunity to compete as individuals in a team environment. Members also compete in open meetings and regional and national championships. See (link to info on summer training)

In the winter the club competes in the Sussex x-country league as well as Sussex indoor sportshall league. Members also compete in regional and national x-country races as well as indoor athletic open and championship events. See (link to info on winter training)

A race list can be found in Fixtures.

Youth age categories

Track & Field (indoors & outdoors)

Under 11 (School years 5 and under)

Age 10 or under on 31st August within the competition year

Under 13 (School Years 6 and 7)

Age 11 or 12 on 31st August within the competition year

Under 15 (School Years 8 and 9)

Age 13 or 14 on 31st August within the competition year

Under 17 (School Years 10 and 11)

Age 15 or 16 on 31st August within the competition year

Under 20

Internationally this means any athlete of 18 or 19 years on 31st December in the year of the competition. In the UK athletes join this age group the year after they leave school/college (year 12), so some athletes will be 17 still.

Under 18 Men & Women recognised for International competition only
Any athlete of 16 or 17 years on 31st December in the year of the competition

U17/U15/U13 athletes move into their new age groups on the 1st October every year
Summer competition year 1st April to 30th September

Cross Country Age Groups & Road Age Groups

U13 (School Year 7 and 8)

Must be 11 on the day of competition or 12 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the competition year

U15 (School Year 9 and 10)

Age 13 or 14 on 31st August prior to commencement of the Competition Year

U17 (School Year 11 and 12)

Age 15 or 16 on 31st August prior to commencement of the Competition Year

Age 17, 18 or 19 on 31st August prior to the commencement of the Competition Year

Coaches and Volunteers

All our coaches are volunteers have a number of years experience in athletics and are UK Athletics qualified and are DBS checked. Coaches are supported by assistant coaches and parent volunteers.

The club only exists due to its volunteers and any offer of help is always welcome be it coaching, team management, officiating or any other task. Experience is not necessary and the club will pay for any training required. Please speak to a coach or club official if you would like to offer your help.

Equipment/clothing
Athletes should attend training and races properly dressed to suit the potential conditions for the time of year. Warm clothes when the weather is cold – gloves, track suit and hat, and in cool clothes when the weather is warm – shorts and T-shirt.

Club vests should be worn for all competitions if competing for the club.

The younger athletes should normally only wear trainers on their feet for training, only as they get older and requested to do so should they wear spikes.

Spikes – these are shoes with removable spikes on the base. As children get older they are beneficial for racing/training. For track/field completion and training 6mm spikes should be used, for grass/x-country training and racing in wet/muddy conditions 9 or 12mm spikes should be used. Please speak to your coach regarding the need for spikes before you purchase them.

Track and field equipment – athletes should only use equipment such as javelins, discuss, high jump area etc under the supervision of a coach.

Track discipline/etiquette

Only go on the track if instructed by the coach.
Be aware at all times, never stand chatting etc on the inside lanes. Pay particular attention when crossing the track as athletes running at speed cannot stop
If you are on the track and someone behind you shouts "Track!" it means move out of your lane towards the outside of the track to let them through.

Junior club rules

All athletes will:

abide by the club rules
strive to achieve individual potential
take pride in being a member of the club
respect the coaching staff and helpers
listen and learn from the coaching staff, officials and helpers
respect other club members & those from other clubs
show due regard to the safety of others and to oneself
show correct behaviour when representing the club and at training
wear the club vest/sweatshirt/hoodie at club associated activities/events
attend training regularly
compete in club matches

Code of conduct parents/carers

Parents, carers and guardians will be expected to:

Encourage your child to learn and abide by the Code of Conduct for Athletes, the rules of the sport
Discourage unfair play or any arguing with Coaches and officials
Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
Never force your child to take part in sport
Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
Publicly accept Coaches and officials’ judgements
Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
Use correct and proper language at all times.

Child protection policy

Our Child Protection Policy is run in line with UK Athletics’ rules.

All coaches are checked regularly by the government's Disclosure and Barring Service {DBS} Also, all coaches have individually signed up to the UK Athletics code of Coaching Conduct.

Nerine Standen, Child Welfare Officer
Andy Bone, Child Welfare Officer
Bruce Warren, Child Welfare Officer

If you need advice or have any problems with misconduct within the Club, please contact our Child Officers.

Food and drink

Children should bring a bottle of water, whatever the time of year. Sugary drinks are discouraged.
Children should be adequately fuelled before training/racing. Food should be easily digestible and a good source of energy and ideally consumed more than one hour before training. Food should not be eaten during training.
Children should not eat at training sessions.

Injury/medication

Athletes/parents or guardians should inform their coach if they are injured or have a health condition that may impact their training/racing or need to take medication such as inhalers.

Personal property

Athletes are responsible for their own personal property and any property the club lends them.

Mobile phones and headphones

Mobile phones or personal headphones should not be used during training without the permission of the coach, such items are bought to training at the owners risk.

Track etiquette

Warm-up in the outside 3 lanes (clockwise)
Do not hold discussions on the track.
Check for runners before you cross the track, an adult can be travelling very fast and cannot stop instantly if you step out in front of him/he. (Not quite as bad as a car but you will get hurt)
Never leave your equipment on the track.
Always walk around the outside of the track, then cross where you need to be.
DO NO CROSS THE GRASS INSIDE THE TRACK (unless instructed by a coach).
If you are running in lane one and someone shouts ‘TRACK!’ you are to move out to lanes two and three. The overtaking athlete(s) will overtake you on the inside. If no one shouts ‘TRACK!’ carry on and the athletes will run around you.
Don’t stop suddenly in lane one or sit/stand in lane one after you have finished a rep. There are other athletes on the track. Don’t hang around lanes 1/2/3/4 talking and never sit in them.

LAST UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 2021