06 July 2011

Chart-topping duo Jedward and Olympic Medallist Iwan Thomas have teamed up to encourage kids around the UK to sign up for free Aviva Startrack sessions this summer. The UK’s largest insurer Aviva, are offering Aviva Startrack sessions to give youngsters up and down the country the chance to try out athletics in a fun environment at no cost.

X Factor stars Jedward are backing the scheme as they are keen athletes, competing for their local club in Ireland on a regular basis before they shot to stardom. Commenting on the sessions, the duo said, “We’ve always loved athletics it’s totally cool. We used to run and compete all the time back in Ireland and we think it’s a great way to meet people and have a laugh.  Aviva Startrack is awesome because it means anyone can give athletics a try – with trained coaches – to see if they like it. Our motto for this summer is: run, jump or throw….give athletics a go!”

The free Aviva Startrack sessions are an addition to the seven grassroots programmes supported through the Aviva  Athletics Academy.  Aviva has been supporting British Athletes since 1999, whilst also paving the way for the next generation to get active and potentially become future champions. “Since our sponsorship of UKA began over a decade ago, we have helped millions of children get involved in grassroots athletics,” said Heather Smith, Head of Sponsorship & CR at Aviva. “We hope to create a long-term legacy for the sport, unearth potential champions of the future and also make sure our investment has a continuous impact where it is needed,” she continued. 

Aviva Startrack was where World Heptathlon Champion Jessica Ennis began her athletics journey. “The first steps to me winning my World Championship Gold medal were taken when I began my career at an Aviva Startrack camp in Sheffield. It’s great to see Aviva continue to provide support to the next generation of talent.”

Aviva Athletics Academy ambassador and Olympic Medallist Iwan Thomas, also showed his support and belief in the programme today at the launch of the free Aviva Startrack sessions. Passionate about getting kids involved in athletics at an early age he said “Aviva Startrack is all about learning to enjoy our sport, discover new skills and have fun; I think it is really important that kids are involved in sport in a fun and engaging way.”

At a time when the purse strings are increasingly tight and with the summer holidays nearly upon us UK Athletics Chief Executive, Niels de Vos concluded “It is fantastic that Aviva are providing the next generation of British athletes a chance to get involved in our sport for free.  With a summer of important elite competition, including the Aviva GB & NI Team competing at the World Championship in South Korea, Aviva’s continued investment provides children in the UK a great start for the future.”

For more information on Aviva Startrack and how to sign up for a free session go to www.uka.org.uk/academy

To find out more about Aviva’s Athletics sponsorship visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics