New cohort starts with our 4J National Athletics Academy

Friday 27th January 2023

scottishathletics are delighted to confirm a new cohort has been added to the 4J National Athletics Academy.

No fewer than 13 athletes formed the Year One intake towards the end of 2022 as they join our two-year education programme.

For the first time, three of these athletes are in Para classification as we seek to practice inclusive athletics.

The 4J Studios National Athletics Academy is a two-year education programme for developing track and field athletes which aims to hone 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.

In May 2019, we were delighted to announce a sponsorship agreement with 4J Studios to support the programme and that arrangement remains in place.

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

Year One

Adam Donnachie (Stirling Uni) Janelle McGurk

Callum Hendry (VP-Glasgow) John Costello

Ben Heron (North Ayrshire AC) Chris Baillie

Freya Howgate (Perth Strathtay Harriers) Joe McDonnell

Ethan Lorimer (Harmeny AC) Andy Ross

Reiss Marshall (Fife AC) Steve Doig

Angela Mcauslan-Kelly (Aberdeen AAC) Jim Green

Oliver Patton (Kilbarchan AAC) Robert Hawkins

Finlay Ross (Harmeny AC) Andrew Ross

Matthew Tait (Dunfermline Track and Field) Allan Smith

Hannah Taylor (Aberdeen AAC) Nicola Crawford

Amy Teasdale (Kilbarchan AAC) Sarah Dempsey

Cameron Thores (Corstorphine AAC/Exeter Uni) Lewis Innes and Sonya Ellis

+ 19 athletes in Year Two

4J National Athletics Academy

‘We are delighted to offer a warm welcome to the new cohort in the 4J National Athletics Academy,’ said Julie Mollison, our Head of Coaching Development and Talent

‘The athletes and their coaches have worked hard to achieve standards and now we look forward to helping them as they seek to continue on the journey from promising Juniors to successful Senior athletes.

‘We’ve already had a couple of sessions with them and more activity is planned in the coming months including a residential training camp.

‘Since Covid relented, we were looking at how, in practical terms, we might work with Para athletes and it’s good to see that groundwork has now led to three athletes joining us.

‘And, of course, we are very pleased to still be working with the group who have now moved up to Year Two.’