As part of a regular series, the Development Team will continue to provide updates across key areas of the sport. This update relates to key operational areas across the directorate including; Coaching Development, Officials Development, Clean Athletics, Facilities, Safeguarding and Rules & Procedures.

As we welcome 2023, there is an opportunity to reflect on the last 12 months and what a positive year it has been for the athletics in the UK across so many areas. From the outset, it was clear that 2022 was always going to be an excellent showcase for the sport putting it into the spotlight during an action packed summer of major championships.

The New Year’s Honours list saw recognition for a number of key figures that have and continue to contribute to the development of athletics in the UK as ambassadors, coaches, technical officials and volunteers: Dame Denise Lewis, Wendy Haxell OBE, Peter Crawshaw MBE, Aston Moore MBE and David Cooney BEM. We offer our huge congratulations for this recognition (additional information and the news item that featured on the UKA website can be found here).

In addition to the excellent performances and we witnessed throughout 2022, there have been a number of developments across the sport as outlined in more detail below;

Coaching Development 

Work has continued to support the delivery of the objectives outlined in the UK wide Coaching Strategy for Athletics.

We have also been working closely with UK Coaching to train and develop a team of Coach Developers that are capable of supporting both our new and existing coach workforce. This training is ongoing and challenging new coach developers to consider how they will best facilitate the development of coaches looking to progress at all levels of the qualification pathway.

The work towards creating the format and framework for the Advanced Coaching Awards has continued and our thanks must go to the Advisory Panel members as well as the numerous coaches that have attended the focus sessions throughout the last few months – all have played a significant part in supporting this progression and helping to shape the future of these awards.

As ever, we fully appreciate all of the feedback and various communications that we receive from coaches and are always looking to create more opportunities for this. We are happy to confirm that as with the outdoor championships last summer, at the British Indoor Championships (18^th and 19^th February) we will once again have our dedicated area, the ‘Coaches Corner’ within the arena. We look forward to meeting and engaging with coaches across the course of the weekend.

We have previously reported on the progress made in relation to the UKA Gender Equity in Coaching Action Plan, headline achievements in 2022 include;

• An increase in the number of female Team Coaches across several GB & NI teams, including the first female coaches on the GB & NI team at the Outdoor World Championships (40%) and European Championship teams, as well as 75% female team coaches at the World Mountain Running Championships.
• An increase in the number of GB & NI athletes coached by female coaches.
• Gender Equity in Coaching is now a regular item reported on at UKA Board meetings and included in the Development Directorate updates.
• There is 33% representation of female coaches on the UKA Coaching Advisory Panels.
• The publishing of team staff names upon announcement of GB & NI teams alongside the selected athletes (to further increase the coaching profile).
• The creation of a UKA Gender Equity in High Performance Endurance Coaching Project

Our thanks go to the Female Coaching Network as well as all those involved in the delivery of the targets outlined in the action plan for the progress to date.

The ‘Meet the Coaches’ series has continued to be popular, showcasing the great work and dedication of many coaches and leaders from across the UK. The latest profile featured Steve Doig and can be found here. To view all profiles and to catch up on these profiles, please click the following  link. We have also been updating the progress and development of a select number of individuals involved in the British Athletics Athlete to Coach Programme. The latest profile features the likes of Adam Gemili and Johnboy Smith.

In relation to existing qualifications, following successful pilots, we are now in a position to fully deliver the new look Coaching Assistant qualification. Early indications suggest that the revised format (blended learning) is proving popular with candidates and coach developers alike. We have also integrated Tier 2 Safeguarding training to all new coach level awards. This face-to-face training (virtual classroom) is endorsed by and developed alongside the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit.

The comprehensive ‘Codes of Practice and Guidance for all Coaches and Leaders’ have also recently been updated. These include; Codes of Practice and Training Guidance, First Aid Guidance for Coaches and Leaders, UKA Guidance on appropriate supervision for children and young people as well as other key guidance and support documents. Further information can be found via the Information for Coaches and Leaders section of the UKA website.

As previously reported we have also been working to develop some further clarity related to the  insurance provided for the sport. Further information, certificates, insurance details and a series of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ are now available on the dedicated insurance microsite which can be accessed here.

Officials Development

As outlined in the UK wide Officials Strategy, a core objective is for UKA to develop ‘Expert Technical Officials (World-Class). In addition to three officials that were added to the European Athletics Technical Delegates Panel in the summer of 2022, we have also seen five technical officials attend the World Athletics Referee Education and Certification System (WARECS) course delivered by European Athletics and a further two technical officials attend the recent ITO training course delivered by World Para Athletics. Congratulations to all those selected to be involved in both the training and the delivery of these courses.

Through the Meet the Officials series, we have continued to profile key individuals across the sport. The latest profile to feature is that of Race Walking Judge Ian Richards.

November and December also saw the delivery of another series of Communities of Practice training opportunities for UKA licenced officials which were both well attended and well supported. December also saw the delivery of a series of Level 4 training opportunities for officials looking to progress through the qualification pathway.

On 17^th October we published a UKA Statement on the UK wide Official’s Strategy. This looks to clarify and further outline the roles and responsibilities relating to officiating across the UK. As a result, the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs) have now taken on increased levels of responsibility for the operational delivery of the officials’ pathway from the Assistant Officials award up to and including Level 3 Officials. Naturally, UKA will retain full accountability and responsibility for all higher-level officials; Levels 4 & 5, as well as those operating as International Technical Officials (ITO) or those falling under the equivalent World Athletics, World Para Athletics or European Athletics qualification schemes. Further detail and additional information can be found here.

We would like to thank to all those involved as part of; the Technical Advisory Group and the Education and Training Sub Groups (Track & Field and Endurance). Congratulations also to David Vidler who has been appointed as the National Officials Coordinator and to all those recently successfully nominated and appointed Peer Groups. A full list of Peer group members can be found here.

Finally, five of the UK’s Technical Officials have achieved the silver or bronze level in the recent World Athletics Referees Examinations. Jon Mason is now a silver level Referee which will make him eligible to receive Referee appointments for European Athletics as well as certain World Athletics events. Rob Dalziel, Alison Jordan, Sue Maughan and Margaret Werrett all attained a bronze level result in their examination. More information can be found here.

Clean Athletics

Following a busy summer the Clean Athletics Team (and wider network of Clean athletics Educators) have been busy delivering essential education and training to athletes engaged in programmes across the UK. In an effort to increase awareness, Clean Athletics Awareness has also now been made available to all new coaches and leaders entering the qualifications pathway.

The 2023 WADA Prohibited List went live on 1^st January. All athletes should ensure that they check their medications against the New List to ensure that they are compliant. Check your medications (prescribed or over the counter) at www.globaldro.com .

As ever, further information relating to all Clean Athletics activity and support resources can be found in the comprehensive Clean Athletics section of the site or alternatively, if you have any direct enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the UK Athletics Clean Athletics team via: enquiries@cleanathletics.org.uk

Facilities

A number of facilities across the UK have made significant progress towards full TrackMark accreditation. The scheme looks to quality assure, improve provision and increase standards in Track & Field facilities across the UK. The number of venues fully accredited continues to increase and we have also seen a significant rise in the number of venues that are actively working towards accreditation.

As ever we are working to develop safe practices at all facilities and venues and further guidance and support can be found via the ‘Facility Safety’ section of the UKA website. In addition, wider information and all supporting documentation relating to facilities can be found on the UKA facilities page or with the April 2023 deadline rapidly approaching, to receive additional information relating to TrackMark accreditation, please email: TrackMark@uka.org.uk

Safeguarding

Having launched the revised safeguarding procedures in 2021 we have now completed a review of this document to set to ensure it is up to date and reflects current legislation and best practice. As a result of this review we will shortly be publishing updated versions of our policies, codes and guidelines. We will work with the home countries to ensure that clubs, groups and individuals are aware of the changes, which whilst necessary are minimal.

We have recently published a safeguarding video aimed at helping everyone to think about what concerning behaviour might look like and how to report it. Moving forward we are developing further resources to support specific safeguarding elements such as guidance for children and parents. Further information in relation to all areas of safeguarding can be found by accessing the Safeguarding section of the UKA site.

Anyone safeguarding concerns can report it to us at www.uka.org.uk/submit-a-concern

Rules & Procedures

As we are aware, the rules and procedures related to the effective delivery of the sport are continually evolving. Since the release in April 2022 there have been some minor amendments and clarifications to the UKA Rules for Competition, incorporating World Athletics Rules which are detailed in the UKA Rules for Competition Supplementary Guidance Notes. A summary of the changes can be found here.

Likewise, the latest versions of both the Coaches and Technical Officials Licence Terms and Conditions, along with the latest versions of the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures and the Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal Rules and Procedures can be found on the Policies and Regulations page we would encourage all licenced coaches, leaders and officials to visit these on a regular basis.