In line with today’s Sport England investment and funding announcement, Athletics in the United Kingdom is delighted to have received support in the form of funding up to £4.75m towards the continued development of talent below world class level within the sport.

Working together in one integrated approach, UK Athletics and England Athletics will jointly work to enhance the pathway for athletes and coaches ensuring the funds deliver maximum impact for athletes and coaches.

The programme, set to roll-out in April 2017, will link directly to the support pathway for emerging athletes and this investment enables them to refine and enhance their effectiveness over the next cycle.

This investment is part of nearly £88 million of National Lottery and Government funding in 26 national governing bodies of sport that has been announced today.

Director of Strategy and Partnerships for UK Athletics, Nigel Holl said:

“UKA and England Athletics are massively grateful to have received this investment. Going forward this support will serve to strengthen and develop upon an already extremely positive partnership between UKA and England Athletics.

“There is an abundance of great talent in our sport, and this investment will help us maximise the potential of athletes and coaches and improve both pathways and experiences for not only the elite, but those committed at all levels within our sport.”

CEO of England Athletics, Chris Jones said:

“We are delighted UKA and England Athletics have secured this money for our work in providing support and opportunities for talented athletes and their coaches in England.

“Supporting talented athletes is essential to continuing to see success at the highest levels of the sport. This has an important wider significance as these athletes are a source of inspiration and pride to many people involved in the sport of athletics and running at all levels. We will work closely with UKA in this area of work as well as ensuring our role aligns with the activities of England Athletics across all levels of the sport.”

Sport England’s Director of Sport, Phil Smith, said:

“The investments we are announcing today shows our ongoing commitment to supporting those who have a close affinity with sport. We are also backing the talent programmes in these sports to find and develop the best performers.

“The number of sport and exercise regulars has steadily increased in the last decade and we think there is more opportunity for growth.”