The aim of IFTA is:
‘To develop young people socially and physically through the introduction of athletics in a
fun environment.’
The Olympics and other major championships inspire thousands of young athletes to engage in sport.
It is therefore essential that these young athletes are welcomed and continually encouraged to
participate from the outset. If this encouragement does not occur then they may be lost to our sport
and to other sports forever and therefore have a much less healthy lifestyle. They could also lose
interest if the content of the activity sessions are inappropriate. Therefore to maintain the young
athletes’ enthusiasm, the activities that are provided should be full of enjoyment and fun.
Pacesetter – Working with Young Athletes
will act as a guide and provide assistance in making
athletics attractive to young athletes aged 8–13 years. It is important that young athletes are
encouraged and educated to learn from play and games activities and not through intensive training
regimes. Whilst recognising that most young athletes enjoy competitive activities, competition should
be limited and the emphasis placed on assertion and not aggression, it should not be the intention to
produce individual champions in these young age groups, but rather to protect and guide the young
athletes to sustain their interest until they are older. Young athletes from the under 13 years age
group are in the skill hungry years, where good habits and sound techniques should be honed in all
areas of athletic disciplines. It is therefore essential that experienced coaches as well as novice
coaches work with the younger athletes.
If talented young athletes under 13 years old are specifically trained for an event it is a recognised
fact that they can make dramatic improvements but this must be kept in perspective. Many factors
will contribute to a young athlete’s ability and account must be taken of the spurt in growth and the
large variance in height and strength associated with physical development and body change. It is
most important that those leading a group of young athletes in sporting activities have a sound
awareness of these matters and a sympathetic approach. For many of these reasons, a talented
young athlete at the age of 11 years or 12 years may not be the champion of the future. A child is
neither a smaller version of a senior athlete nor a smaller version of a teenager and therefore formal
athletics training should not begin until the early teens. The basics of running, jumping and
throwing can be taught to the young athletes aged 8–13 years if the events are appropriately
modified for them. Young athletes should be encouraged to develop all-round skills rather than
pressurised into specialising in one event.
1.1 Philosophy & Ethics
The Concept of Pacesetter
1
13
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
‘To deve op young eople socially and physically
through the introduction of athletics in a fun environment.’
