Support system: UK Athletics name Futures Programmes with backing for 15 Scots

Thursday 29th October 2026

World Juniors relay medallist Sophie Thomas is on UKA Futures Programme

Olympic Futures Programme full announcement by UKA

Athletics in Scotland is celebrating a strong cohort of athletes on key development programmes led by British Athletes.

No fewer than 15 Scots are involved across the Futures Programme, Futures Relay Programme and Para Futures Programme for the year ahead.

It is deserved recognition for our athletes, coaches and clubs and the support from UK Athletics will help develop potential.

Supported by Nike and delivered in partnership with the Home Country Athletics Federations, the programme identifies and supports athletes and coaches who have shown the potential to achieve success on the world stage and at future Olympic Games.

Through tailored guidance and experiences, the programme aims to build on existing support to help athletes develop towards senior international success and progression onto the World Class Programme (WCP).

The Futures Sprint Relay programme, supported by Nike, is split into U20 and U23 age groups to develop the next generation of British sprint talent.

Paralympic Futures Programme full announcement by UKA

Brodie Young is among the Scots on Futures Programmes (photo by Jamie Williamson)

Scottish athletes included . . .

New to the Futures Programme

Sophie Thomas (Dunfermline Track & Field Club, Agustin Osorio) – 200m / 4x100m relay

Transition

Alyson Bell (Giffnock North AC, Anne Scott) – 200m / 4x100m Relay

Brodie Young (Airdrie Harriers, James McMenemy) – 400m / 4x400m Relay

Futures Relay Sprint Programme – 4×100 & 4×400

U20 Emma Clark, Holly Whittaker

U23 Kaya Slater, Sophie Thomas

U20 Cara Monachello

U23 Rebecca Grieve, Luc Macleod

Alyson Bell (photo by Bobby Gavin)

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Paralympic Futures Programme 2026-27

Cara Murphy (Law & District AC) – T12 100/200m*

James McClafferty – guide

Finlay Menzies (Corstorphine AAC, Graeme Reid) – T72 100m

Callum Sloan (Fife AC, Pamela Robson) – T52 100m*

Cameron Thores (University of Stirling, Allan Hamilton) – T47 400m

Transition

Rebecca Scott (Stevenage and North Herts, Joe McDonnell) – T47 100m / Long Jump

*New to the Paralympic Futures Programme

Law and District AAC athlete Cara Murphy and her guide, James McClafferty, will be supported (photo by Bobby Gavin) 

Dan Wagner, Head of Performance Pathways at British Athletics, said:

‘This year’s cohort reflects the strength of emerging talent across British athletics, and we’re delighted to welcome new athletes and their coaches onto the Olympic Futures Programme. Their performances over the past season have demonstrated significant potential for future international success.

‘It’s also been encouraging to see current and former Futures athletes continue to progress on the world stage. Our goal is to collaborate and understand athletes and coaches and provide relevant support, experiences and opportunities that adds value at this key stage of their development as they continue their journey towards senior success.’

There will be a second round of selections for the Futures Relay Programme following the indoor season looking towards European Athletics U20 and U23 Championships in July.

Coral Davis, Paralympic Pathway Manager, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome new athletes to the Futures programme as well as last year’s athletes.

‘The tailored services we provide to athletes and their coaches have proven to be invaluable to the unique development of future potential Paralympians.

‘We continue to be encouraged by the engagement of those on the programme, and that many have graduated to the World Class Programme in recent years.’

Cameron Thores (photo by Bobby Gavin)

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Tags: UK Athletics Futures Programme