The ATS National Athletics Academy

The Athletics Trust Scotland (ATS) National Athletics Academy is a two-year education programme for talented track and field athletes that aims to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies that will be essential in helping them achieve the overall outcomes of the programme.

The Academy was set up in 2013 to better support and direct young athletes, their coaches and parents as they progress towards senior status. The Academy has previously been supported by long term sponsor 4J Studios however, as of 2024, we are delighted to announce that the National Athletics Academy will be supported by the Athletics Trust Scotland.

We feel that, when partnered with hard work and dedication, the opportunities, support and guidance offered will help prepare the athlete ‘team’ for the challenges ahead – ultimately assisting and guiding them to fulfil their performance potential in the sport as seniors.

New National Academy Brochure coming soon.

The aims of The ATS National Athletics Academy are:

• Improved retention rate of our best age group athletes into the Senior ranks
• Increased representation on Great Britain (GB) U18, U20 and U23 teams en-route to Commonwealth Games (CWG) and beyond
• Increased representation on GB Senior teams and GB Performance Programme
• Greater number of young athletes on future CWG teams and beyond

The benefits of the programme include:

• Coach education opportunities
• Athlete education opportunities
• Parent education opportunities
• Subsidised event-specific competition opportunity
• Physiotherapy/Functional movement screening support
• Event-specific physical preparation testing & Monitoring
• Physiology Testing (Endurance athletes)
• Media training
• Physiotherapy/Nutritional support

Requirements for the 2025-27 Programme:

Athletes

• Under 18 on entry into the Academy
• Year of birth 2008 & 2009 on selection
• Scottishathletics Member

Coaches

• Scottishathletics Licenced Coach (Athletics Coach Qualification or equivalent)

ATS National Academy Standards

ATS National Academy Paralympic Standards – Women

ATS National Academy Paralympic Standards – Men

Please contact the National Talent Manager for any further information: Allan.Hamilton@scottishathletics.org.uk

Expectations:

• Engage with the programme and maintain communication with your event group point of contact (POC).
• Attend National Athletics Academy Activities
• Complete and engage with 6 month reviews
• Annual end-of-year survey
• Agree to and sign up to the SA Team Agreement

Members of The ATS National Athletics Academy from November 2024 are listed below, graduates can be found here

Year 1

Year 2

Note 1: The list above reflects the coach and club that each athlete was working with when they entered the Academy