Following a period of detailed consultation, UK Athletics can now confirm the proposed World Class Programme (WCP) Olympic Coaching Structure for the majority of event groups. The consultation which commenced in August was completed week commencing 20 September following the review of a wide number of comprehensive submissions.

The new proposed structure, which will help delivery against the Age of the Athlete operational plan, will provide coaching support across the event groups recognising the unique characteristics of each area. Timelines for recruitment or consultancy are as follows:

Sprints, Relays and Hurdles
UK Athletics structure for sprints, relays and hurdles is as follows. The intention is that the following full-time positions will be filled by retaining existing coaches employed on the WCP.

1. Head of Sprints and Relay*
2. Sprints Strategy Lead*
3. Senior Coach Sprints, Hurdles and Relays
4. Performance Coach for Sprints, Hurdles and Relays (Loughborough based) covering both Olympic and Paralympic programmes

In addition, a further new role will be recruited on a consultancy basis to support this event group:

5. Sprint Lead – Lee Valley

*UK Athletics can confirm that Tim Benjamin will step back from his role as Head of (long) sprints and relays into the reduced hours position of Sprints Strategy Lead. Whilst his original role with long sprints enabled Benjamin to continue with his other commercial work, expansion of this other work means he has taken the difficult decision to stand down. Following this change, Darren Campbell will assume the full-time role of Head of Sprints and relays covering both sprint areas.

Jumps
UK Athletics structure for supporting the Jumps event group (horizontal and vertical) is as follows. The intention is that these full-time positions will be filled by retaining existing coaches on the WCP:

1. Senior Coach Horizontal Jumps – covering both Olympic and Paralympic programmes
2. Senior Coach High Jump – covering both Olympic and Paralympic programmes
3. Senior Coach Pole Vault

Throws & Combined Events
UK Athletics will commence recruitment of the following positions on a consultancy arrangement to ensure there is focussed support and coordination for these event groups:

1. Event Lead – Throws
2. Event Lead – Combined Events

Endurance
With the consultation around endurance roles still ongoing, UK Athletics will provide an update on this event group and the intended structure as soon as it is concluded.

UK Athletics Performance Director Sara Symington said: “I want to thank all those who took the time to take part in what was an important consultation for our sport. We all want to build an ambitious future for athletics in the UK and this new employed coaching structure is another step in the right direction.”

Finally, further consultancy contracts will be confirmed following the outcomes of the forthcoming WCP review period based upon the skill sets needed to fulfil the WCP athlete requirements. In addition to the structure above, UK Athletics has commenced recruitment for the Paralympic Head Coach position replacing the outgoing Paula Dunn. Full details for the recruitment of new roles will be viewable here https://careers.ukathletics.org.uk/